Following a bill that would weaken the state's sprinkler requirement, Maryland advocates respond in full force

Fire demonstrations. Opinion editorials. TV appearances. These have been some of the tactics used by Maryland's safety advocates to defend the life-saving capability of the state's sprinkler requirement. Threatened by recent legislation to weaken this requirement, advocates have ramped up their effort to promote sprinklers in new homes. Their efforts seem to be working. An editorial that appeared in the Carroll County Times stated that it hopes the legislation goes "up in smoke." "We understand the burden on developers, particularly in recent years as the real estate bubble burst with ever-increasing federal and state regulations on homebuilding have cut into...