The Rutherford County Commission will meet on Thursday night in the historic courthouse to discuss changes in the current subdivision regulations as previously discussed in planning commission meetings.  The most questioned item being proposed calls for new homes to be built with a complete fire sprinkler system which will cost new homeowners about two dollars per square feet.

Steve Jensen with the Home Builders Association in Rutherford County told WGNS that sprinklers won’t save lives, but smoke detectors will…

Chief Larry Farley with the Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Department told us what happened during a recent fire sprinkler demonstration.

According to the proposed changes in subdivision regulations, all future homes in Rutherford County that are not within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant will be required to have a sprinkler system installed. The proposed rules also call for homes that are built near fire hydrants that do not have sufficient water flow to be constructed with sprinkler systems as well.

State Representative Mike Sparks was at an August planning commission meeting and after it was adjourned he commented to WGNS…

Source:

See the Proposed Subdivision Changes HERE (Page 25 discusses fire safety)

The National Fire Protection Association is cited on page 13 of the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations “Fire Service in Tennessee” report as suggesting that fire sprinklers save lives, reduce property damage and reduce insurance premiums. See that report HERE.

Additional Sources:

State Representative Mike Sparks
Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Department Chief Larry Farley
Steve Jensen with the Rutherford County Home Builders Association

See the video of the Fire Sprinkler System Comparison Vs. No Sprinkler: