Gov. Corbett Signs Repeal Of New Home Sprinkler Mandate Into Law
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett has signed into a law a bill repealing a requirement that sprinklers be included in new homes built in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
It is the first bill signed by Corbett since he became governor. Advocates for the sprinkler requirement opposed the repeal bill because they believed the mandate would save lives -- but also because of an amendment inserted by the state Senate that give an advisory board broader power to reject recommended changes to the state construction code.
"While that was amended in the Senate, the overall repeal of the mandate the governor thought was important," said Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley.
Harley notes that builders must still offer buyers the option to install an automated fire sprinkler system and provide them information about the costs and benefits.
The governor sided with the construction industry, which feared that a sprinkler mandate would have boosted the cost of new homes by several thousand dollars each (see related story).
Reported by KYW Harrisburg Bureau chief Tony Romeo
