Pa. Governor to Sign Repeal of Fire Sprinkler Mandate

Gov. Tom Corbett is signing his first bill as governor.

The Republican plans Monday afternoon to sign a bill repealing a requirement that fire sprinkler systems be installed in all new one- and two-family homes.

The legislation was approved earlier this month by margins of nearly 2-1 in the state House and Senate.

Proponents of the requirement said it would save lives by extinguishing fires before firefighters can get to the scene. Opponents, led by the Pennsylvania Builders Association, said it would unnecessarily drive up housing prices already out of reach for many people.

Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that mandated sprinklers in new homes.

Sprinklers will continue to be required in new town house construction in the state.