Court Strikes Down Minnesota Fire Sprinkler Rule for Houses

ST. PAUL (AP) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals has struck down a state rule that required builders to install firefighting sprinkler systems in new large homes.

The Builders Association of the Twin Cities challenged the rule, calling it arbitrary, costly and beyond the authority of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The rule required sprinklers in new town houses and single-family homes unless those homes were one story and less than 4,500 square feet in size.

The appeals court said there was no evidence that justified exempting one-story houses under 4,500 square feet, so the rule was invalid.

The Department of Labor is studying the decision.

The sprinkler rule has caused controversy since the Labor Department suggested it in 2012. The rule took effect in January 2015.