Summit County's two fire departments are recommending a requirement for sprinkler systems in more homes under the countywide fire code up for adoption in 2026. The Summit Board of County Commissioners discussed the potential changes at a Dec. 16 work session. The change to fire-sprinkler requirements would lower the threshold at which the code requires single-family homes to have fire sprinklers from 6,000 square feet to 4,500 square feet. Glenn Morgan, the county’s chief building official, told the commissioners the Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District and Summit Fire & EMS recommended the square footage reduction. A staff memo listed pros and cons of the reduction. Pros included addressing fire department staffing concerns and increasing fire mitigation. Cons included increased costs for home builders and buyers, possible damage caused by leaking sprinkler systems, and the complicated nature of when to require homeowners building additions to add a sprinkler system to the original home as well as the addition. Read more...