A new portion of the New Hampshire building codes will require that sprinkler systems be installed in all new homes.
WMUR-TV said the New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board voted to require sprinklers in every newly constructed single- and two-family home and town house starting in 2012.
Fire officials say the requirement could save lives and property.
Durham Fire Chief Corey Landry says sprinklers are like putting a firefighter in each room of a home.
Bert Cox of the New Hampshire Real Estate Investors Association says sprinklers will add costs, but the industry will comply.
State lawmakers have two years to challenge the ordinance.