Who Is Responsible For Fire Sprinkler Systems In Condos? (Find Out Now!)

Fire safety is considered to be the number one most important issue in multi-family units, which is why it’s so crucial to ensure you know your role in it. In apartments, the landlords clearly are in charge of fire sprinklers and alarms. In condos, it’s not always easy to tell who’s supposed to do what. So, what’s the deal here?

The best way to find out who’s responsible for your fire sprinkler system is to check the condo’s documents. Generally speaking, condo HOAs will be in charge of fire sprinklers that are in common areas while sprinklers in your private area will be your unit’s responsibility.

Figuring out what you should expect from your condo HOA is going to be a little bit tricky at times. Thankfully, your condo’s guidebook is going to help us out while we answer this question.

So, this actually can vary based on where you live, statewise. Some states actually require condo HOAs to cover the entirety of the fire sprinkler system for the condo. Even when your state doesn’t require it to be the HOA’s responsibility, many condos consider it to be a “common utility.”

Common utilities are things like sewage, trash pickup, as well as the utilities that are used throughout the building. If your fire sprinklers are a common utility, then your HOA should be the ones to pick up the tab.

Fire sprinkler maintenance might be your responsibility if the sprinklers in question are inside of your condo unit. If this is the case, the condo contract that you have will tell you so and will also explain what is and is not going to be included in repairs under your “umbrella.”

Another major reason why you might be responsible for fire sprinklers deals with mishaps you make around the house. If the sprinklers break as a result of something you did, then you will have to pay for repairs. For example, if you cause a sprinkler leak by driving a nail through the plumbing, you might need to pay for it.

If your neighbors do something that inadvertently damages your sprinklers, you need to tell the HOA, take photos, and alert the neighbors. Not sure whether you have a reason to tell them it’s their fault? Something like them drilling through your ceiling and shaving a pipe, for example, would fit this bill.

It’s going to be awkward having to deal with this, simply because you don’t want to sound accusatory. However, you need to be aware that your neighbors may try to refuse to pay. If this is the case, it’s often going to be a matter dealt with by both a real estate lawyer and the HOA.

Related Questions

Do all condo buildings have to have sprinklers inside of them?

Sprinklers can only help protect people and property inside a building. However, that doesn’t mean that they are always going to be there. Federally, there are no laws that mandate the use of sprinklers throughout multi-family units.However, several states are beginning to enact laws that require new condo and apartment buildings to have them. Some of the current laws require new buildings only, while others are asking condo owners to retrofit sprinklers into older buildings. Check local building codes for more information.

How good are sprinkler systems?

Sprinkler systems have been shown to reduce fire spread and lethality of major fires by as much as 80 percent. In some cases, it can make or break a person’s chance to get out of a fire alive. We strongly encourage people to look into homes that have a built-in sprinkler system. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

How much does fire sprinkler installation cost?

How much you should expect to pay for a fire sprinkler system depends on the size of your house. The national average is $1.35 per linear foot, with many parts of the country having even higher prices. This means that a 2,500-square foot home should probably cost around $3,325 to “sprinkler up.”It’s important to remember that the price for a sprinkler installation can vary depending on the type of home you have as well as the city you live in. Multi-family units generally require extra care as well as extra supplies. So if you want to outfit a whole building, it’s important to brace for a higher price tag. It’s worth it, though!