Last week, and Agent made an interesting comment that got me thinking. During an inspection of a tall (4 story, single family residence), the Agent commented that the kitchenette on the top floor would be a long way to go to put out a fire, and asked if there was any Building requirement for fire (sprinkler) suppression systems in single family residences. With that I ask this question...

True or False? All structures taller than three stories are required to have automatic fire suppression systems installed.

False - The Florida Building Code requires fire suppression systems be installed in all structures taller than three stories - EXCEPT single family dwellings. So, all commercial buildings, parking garages and multi-family residential buildings (condos) are required to have fire suppression systems, but there is no such requirement for single family dwellings.

Lance Youngblood of The Burgess Team of NWF, Inc