Since 2005, HFSC has been a proud sponsor of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council’s “Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Symposium.”

According to NAHB, 10,000 people turn 50 everyday, and people age 50 and over account for more than one-quarter of new home sales. The Symposium is designed to support homebuilders who are targeting this fastest-growing segment of the industry.

The annual educational and networking event features informative sessions as well as a highly targeted exhibit. HFSC staffs a booth at the Symposium every year because 50+ housing builders are increasingly showing interest in offering fire sprinkler protection to buyers, and they need accurate information about the technology to do so.

Builders and developers who target the 50+ market have also shown a strong interest in residential fire sprinklers because the trade-up benefits can result in reduced land development and construction costs, while the buyer will have increased life and property protection.

Offering fire sprinkler protection to people in this age group is critical. The risk of home fire deaths increase with age in America. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says adults age 65 and over are more than twice as likely to die from a home fire as the average person. And, that risk increases even more as people age beyond 65.

Offering fire sprinkler protection to buyers intending to make their final home purchase is a smart strategy for builders. In this market, the focus is on independence and increased safety is key to keeping it.

According to HFSC, built-in fire protection is particularly vital in this type of housing because it addresses increased risk from fire not just among older adults, but also young grandchildren, who are also at high risk. NFPA data shows that the fire death rate for children under age five is nearly twice the average.