Fire Sprinkler Bill Dies in N.J.

Fire sprinklers will not be required in new homes in New Jersey. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 21 left to die a bill that would have required fire sprinklers.

The measure would have applied to all newly constructed one- and two-family homes, except in cases of mobile homes and homes not connected to a public water system.

Supporters said it would save lives. But opponents said the requirement would drive up costs and make it more difficult for residents to build new homes.

According to the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, there were some 16,477 structure fires reported in New Jersey in 2010, with an overwhelming majority of them occurring in residential structures. From those fires, 1,130 injuries were reported, with 737 of them suffered by firefighters. There were also 75 fatalities.