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(WHAS11) - It was a battle between safety and cost and cost won as Kentucky regulators decided not to require electrical safety features in new homes.

The proposed code would have required child resistant electrical outlets in all new homes.

But the home builders association lobbied hard against the new rules, calling the safety devices too expensive.

Kentucky’s fire chiefs and homebuilders have been battling for the past several months over new housing construction safety codes.  Thursday, they squared off again in Frankfort.  This time over new electric codes designed to stop fires and protect kids.  The battle was won by the homebuilders who say the safety features are unneeded and would add too much cost to a new home.

Just a couple months ago, the board of housing, buildings and construction, unanimously adopted the 2008 national electric code for Kentucky.   Today, the same board voted 4-3 with 3 no votes, to reverse their decision.

Former Louisville Fire Chief Russ Sanders wasn’t the only one in the packed room who was stunned.

But maybe they shouldn’t have been.  The 2008 electric code would require builders to install child resistant electrical outlets in all new homes.  Same with arc fault breakers which automatically shut down outlets when there’s the slightest spark.   Kentucky’s homebuilders lobbied hard against adding those new code requirements.    

The board did side with the homebuilders, voting down adoption of the new electric code.  That code has already been approved by close to 20 other states.   Safety folks left the meeting shaking their heads.

Homebuilders say the proposed changes would add much more than $300 dollars to the cost of a new home.  Since the state board didn’t stick with the tougher rules, Kentucky builders will continue to abide by the electric codes passed in 2005.