The Codes Committee and the I&E Committee met recently to review differences between the 2006 IRC and the 2009 version as well as the cost impact of many of those changes. Many of these changes will add hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars to the cost of a home, without addressing a safety concern of any kind.
The committee reviewed of number of potential amendments to the code including one that will bring the mandatory fire sprinkler portion of the code into compliance with Missouri’s new state law which mandates the offer of a fire sprinkler system and specifies that political subdivisions cannot require installation of fire sprinklers but must leave that choice to the home purchaser.
The HBA has a resource book entitled “Significant Changes to the International Residential Code, 2009 Edition” — a guide that helps to identify specific changes between the 2006 and 2009 editions of the International Residential Code®, while also providing the reason and rationale behind those changes. You are welcome to review this book at the HBA offices or a copy can be purchased from the ICC website by clicking here. If you have an interest in reviewing the possible amendments to the 2009 IRC that the commitees are reviewing, you can request that document by emailing jennifer@springfieldhba.com.
While a number of area jurisdictions, including Greene County, have decided not to adopt the 2009 IRC at this point, it appears that the City of Springfield is moving in the direction of adopting the code. If that process moves forward, the HBA Codes Committee will be meeting with the city to review amendments, etc. If you would like to provide input in that process, please contact Codes Committee Chairman Scott Kisling at (417) 839-8941.