Table 3 Homeowners’ assessments of residential sprinkler systems (RSS)

When evaluating the benefits vs. costs of having a home fire sprinkler system, which of the following comes closest to your thoughts on the issue?

N = 976

N = 1357

 Benefits strongly outweigh the costs

46 %

12 %

p < 0.05

 Benefits somewhat outweigh the costs

31 %

34 %

p = NS

 Costs somewhat outweigh the benefits

12 %

37 %

p < 0.05

 Costs strongly outweigh the benefits

11 %

17 %

p < 0.05

Now imagine you decided to move and buy or build a new home. Would you want a home fire sprinkler system in that house?

N = 976

N = 1357

 Yes

75 %

30 %

p < 0.05

 No

5 %

17 %

p < 0.05

 Not Sure

20 %

53 %

p < 0.05

Would you be willing to pay the increased amount [dollar amount provided based on square footage of current home] for a home fire sprinkler system in a new house the size of your current home?

N = 921

N = 1254

 Yes

70 %

40 %

p < 0.05

 No

12 %

28 %

p < 0.05

 Not Sure

18 %

33 %

p < 0.05

Do you support or oppose local laws that require new homes to have home fire sprinkler systems?

N = 976

N = 1357

 Very much support

27 %

4 %

p < 0.05

 Somewhat support

21 %

15 %

p < 0.05

 Neither Support nor Oppose

33 %

46 %

p < 0.05

 Somewhat oppose

10 %

18 %

p < 0.05

 Very much oppose

8 %

16 %

p < 0.05

 Mean score, with 1 = very much oppose and 5 = very much support

3.5

2.7

p < 0.05