The city of Las Vegas approved a costly measure to require all newly built homes within city limits to be fitted with fire sprinklers Wednesday.
Fire sprinklers would be the responsibility of the home builder and would be required for any home under 5,000 square feet.
"Your lives matter and the home that you live in and you feel the safest in will be protected," said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Nolan with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue.
Deputy Chief Nolan and the entire Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Department have been fighting against the Home Builders Association for the new requirement for months now.
A study by UNLV showed fire sprinklers increased the chances of surviving a house fire by 97 percent, which is something a simple smoke detector can't do.
"The sprinkler system can help control that fire and give you 9, 10, 11 minutes more to escape," Deputy Chief Nolan said.
But these simple fire safety upgrades will also come with a hefty price for home builders.
On average fire, sprinklers can cost $1.50 per square foot. If you added them to an 1,800-square-foot home, the total amount of the project would cost nearly $2,700.
The downside for builders is that the additional cost of a fire sprinkler system does not increase the selling price of the home. Yet homeowners reap more benefits, including a possible discount on insurance and a sense of security for your family.
