Hinsdale Mandates Fire Sprinkler Systems For New Homes
HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale Village Board decided Tuesday to require fire sprinkler systems for new homes.
It was part of the village’s update to its building code.
With the sprinkler mandate, Hinsdale joins neighbors such as Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Oak Brook and Westmont, according to the village.
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No such requirement exists in Burr Ridge, Elmhurst, La Grange or Willowbrook.
With the mandate, homebuilders can now use manufactured wood, which is cheaper but catches fire more easily. Without the mandate, contractors were limited to regular wood, officials said.
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During public comments, Julie Laux, owner of Hinsdale’s J. Jordan Homes, said the use of manufactured wood offsets the extra costs for sprinklers.
“I see losing one life as way too many. And if this makes for fire safety, I’m in favor of it,” Laux said.
At the same time, she said many prospective homeowners are more worried about water damage resulting from sprinkler system problems than fire.
“I’ve brought up sprinklers to most of my clients, and I’ve never gotten an ‘I want it,'” she said. “No one in my 20 years has expressed an interest. Maybe that’s a lack of knowledge of life safety issues.”
Last month, the Hinsdale Fire Department encouraged the Village Board to pass the rule.
Trustee Scott Banke said it would be irresponsible for him to vote against a mandate, given his previous role as a member of the local police and fire board.
“They’re putting themselves in harm’s way,” he said. “I’m strongly in favor of implementing this.”
However, Trustee Neale Byrnes said he was “in between.” He said prospective homeowners could be presented with the sprinkler option and be told that they could then use manufactured wood, which is cheaper and has its advantages.
The board voted unanimously for the mandate, with Byrnes saying he was doing so “somewhat begrudgingly.”
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