Randy Propst, owner of Loran Construction, has seen the realities of fire sprinkler installation in new homes. He recently spoke with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) about his experience with this safety feature.
NFPA: Why have you started sprinklering your new homes?
I started building homes through a program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program gives specific cities a certain amount of money to do with it as they please, as long as it improves affordable housing. In Springfield, Missouri, they’ve created a “bank” for this money. I borrow money to build these affordable homes. In turn, I have to keep my rent within HUD’s levels.
Years ago, we linked up with a company supporting individuals with disabilities. The company would rent a home from us for the people they serve and their caregivers. As we started working with them, we realized these homes need to be universally designed, which means they can accommodate people with various limitations. From a safety factor, we know we needed to start including fire sprinklers. Sprinklers will now be a standard part of our package.
What have your installation costs been?
After chatting with a fire protection engineer from the National Fire Protection Association, he gave me a clearer picture of how to install sprinklers that I didn’t have before. We were overdoing it. I now can install sprinklers in a new home for about $1,200 or less. They’ll cost me about a dollar per square foot.
Prior to these installations, what were your thoughts on home fire sprinklers?
Honestly, I hadn’t thought about them. I’m friends with other builders. There’s one in particular who was opposed to them. His only argument is that it’s a conspiracy that the sprinkler manufacturers are trying to force installation just to add another layer of cost to my home. But if it’s in the [model building] code, everyone has the same layer of cost. How does it put you at a competitive disadvantage?
Do you think fire sprinkler installations will become more popular in the residential construction industry?
If I decide to build spec homes, what’s eventually going to happen is I’m going to put sprinklers in there. I’m going to do things that make this home sellable. Builders are like anybody else. They copy. What was their recipe for success? Granite countertops aren’t required in homes, but how many people have them in there because everybody else does?
Do you have more peace of mind knowing your tenants are living in sprinklered homes?
Fire sprinklers are a huge safety issue for us. As a landlord, you want to take every step you can to provide a safe home. It is very reassuring to know that we have provided our tenants the safest possible home for them and their families, and all I had to do was spend a little extra.
Have questions on home fire sprinklers? The National Fire Protection Association can help. Email its fire sprinkler team at firesprinklerinitiative@nfpa.org or visit FireSprinklerInitiative.org for more information.
