Minn. delays building code updates to save money

In this economy the state is trying to cut costs, but some worry one money-saving measure could cost lives.

Minnesota will not update its building or fire codes this year, which means a proven safety device won't be required.

A local fire chief says sprinkler systems save homes from fire 97 percent of the time. That's why many states will make them mandatory in houses built after 2010, but Minnesota will not be one of them. The next time Minnesota will even consider the sprinkler requirement is 2012.

State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl supports Minnesota's decision.

"The decision primarily had to do with economics," Rosendahl said.

The cost of training and putting new rules into practice would cost the state about $100,000.

"And you can translate the same cost to each of the cities," Rosendahl said.

But Greg Johnson, a St. Paul building inspector and the board director of the International Code Council, argues you can't put a price on safety. The council recommends new safety codes every three years. States can choose whether or not to adopt them, but Johnson says sticking with old codes puts Minnesotans in danger.

"It's always a bad idea to skip a cycle," Johnson said. "It creates enormous challenges for people to stay current with their training."

Last fall in a 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS investigation, St. Paul Fire Investigator Jamie Novack said sprinkler systems should be mandatory in new houses.

States that adopt the new code will require sprinkler systems in new homes by the beginning of 2011.