With home builders convening at their annual trade show this week, news of the state mandate that fire sprinklers must be included into any new home built beginning in 2012 was met with concern by many in attendance. In a market with a housing backlog in some counties ranging anywhere from 18 months to four or five years, there has been a significant downturn in new home construction that has resulted in job losses for the industry. Republican Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk says that while the delay in requiring sprinklers in a new home is a positive, the public policy mandating their inclusion is off target.
“There is a limit as to how far government should interject itself into areas that should be decided by the consumer,” said Vandervalk, R-Bergen, who is a member of the Consumer Affairs Committee. “The housing industry is mired in a slump not seen in generations and shows little sign of improvement. For prospective buyers, adding $10,000 to the cost of a new house can make the difference in whether or not they make the purchase.”
Vandervalk was referring to the statistic that the cost for including a sprinkler system is estimated at two to four percent of the cost of a home.
With many ancillary businesses dependent on housing construction and home improvements, the industry accounts for a significant portion of New Jersey’s economy. It has been hit particularly hard by the spike in unemployment and tightening credit market.
“Most homes in New Jersey don’t have a sprinkler system, but now government wants to dictate that new homes have them installed,” said Vandervalk. “Everyone is interested in safety, but there needs to be a balance using common sense. In this case, the directive should be tabled.”
NJ Assembly Republican Office
Telephone: 609.292.5339
Fax: 609.633.9806
E-Mail: ARepOffice (at) njleg (dot) org
