GULF SHORES, Ala. — In an effort to help more Gulf Coast homeowners have more options and obtain better home owners insurance, the city of Gulf Shores is looking to amend the code of ordinances by adopting the 2009 International Building Codes, which will include residential building codes, fire, plumbing, mechanical and 2008 electrical codes.

“The main reason we want to adopt these new codes is to get insurance companies back into play,” said Brandon Franklin, Planning and Zoning Department building official.

Franklin quoted recent statistics that showed the Beach Pool included 3,244 insurance policies in 2005; but as of June 2009 has increased to 12,572 policies, covering $2.16 billion in property value.

“Right now, the Beach Pool would only be able to cover $240 million. So hopefully by adopting these new codes, it will have some influence on attracting more insurance companies,” Franklin said.

One of the biggest advantages of adopting the new codes, according to Franklin, would be the adoption of the new sprinkler system requirements.

“Thirty percent of residential homes that have experienced fires had smoke alarms that did not work.

“Twenty-five percent of those killed in residential fires lived in houses that had smoke alarms that sounded, but the residents did not hear them,” he said.

Franklin said that under the new codes, within two minutes, the required sprinkler systems would be activated. While additional costs involved may be a concern, Franklin said that on a 1,900-square-foot home, the increase for construction would only be an additional 74 cents per square foot.

“On the higher end homes, like maybe a 4,000-square-foot home, you are looking at $1.72 a square foot,” he said.

International Building Codes are upgraded every three years, and if adopted, Gulf Shores will be the first city in Baldwin County to adopt the 2009 codes.

Another change that will affect residents along the Gulf Coast will be the changes to the codes as it relates to residential swimming pools.

“Around 350 children die each year in a residential swimming pool, and that’s not from trespassing on a neighbors property. A majority of these happen when the family is at home,” Franklin explained.

He referred to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act that was signed into law in 2008. That law required public pools and spas to have compliant, anti-entrapment drain covers. The new codes, if adopted, would make this mandatory for residential pools as well.

The building codes for the sprinkler system requirements would only apply to new construction, and the new pool requirements would give a two-year grace period for owners to come into compliance.