Certain multi family buildings being constructed must now have sprinklers installed. Tony Hozeny, Communications Director with the WI Commerce Department, says any new multi family dwellings with eight or more units must have a sprinklers. The mandate approved by lawmakers in March is only the beginning. In 2011 homes with three or more units will be required to have sprinklers.
As part of Building Safety Week May 5-11, Commerce is promoting their newly formed Wisconsin Building Safety Network. The WBSN is seeking advice from groups made of municipalities, counties and fire inspectors. One plan is to get communities better involved in the regulatory process of new building development, as well as local fire departments becoming more heavily involved in safety review of new construction.
Commerce will hold a fall conference with the WBSN to get policy makers involved.
