RALEIGH -- Could the state soon start requiring new homes to have fire sprinkler systems? That's what will happen if North Carolina firefighters get their way.

“A residential sprinkler system is like having a firefighter in your house,” explained Frank Blackley, president of the N.C. Fire Marshal's Association.

Dozens of firefighters from all across the state were at the North Carolina Building Code Council meeting on Monday. They want the board to allow local jurisdictions the power to require homes to have fire sprinkler systems.

They also want the state to require all new homes larger than 3,600 square feet or taller than three stories to have sprinkler systems. That would have included the beach house at Ocean Isle that caught fire in October, killing seven college students.

“It would only cost about 1 [percent] to 2 percent of the cost of a new home, which is not a whole lot of money,” Blackley said. “If you look at it for a $250,000 house, we're looking at a maximum cost of $5,000."

But home builders and some members of the Building Code Council believe it would cost much more than that.

Dan Tingen, chairman of the N.C. Building Code Council, is also a builder. He said from his experience, the cost to install a sprinkler system would be much higher than just 1 percent or 2 percent the cost of a home.

“It is a very marked cost increase that would affect the affordability of housing in North Carolina, and that has been the push back from it,” he explained.

Builders say in the end it all comes down to home buyers, what options they want in a home and how much they're willing to pay for it.

“Is this something we need to mandate or should consumers have the opportunity, the option, to buy it,” questioned Tingen. He said buyers have that option now, and the majority of them decide not to pay extra for a fire sprinkler system.

But firefighters say the cost of a sprinkler system is far less than the cost of a lost life.

The N.C. Building Code Council will hear a proposal from firefighters Tuesday. The chairman of the Council expects it will then go into a committee for closer consideration.