PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A bill in Philadelphia City Council that would require older residential high-rises to be retrofitted with fire sprinkler systems is generating controversy.
The National Fire Sprinkler Association held a “controlled burn” on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus Friday to show how sprinklers can minimize fire damage. Two trailers, set up to look like dorm rooms, were both set on fire. Only one of them was equipped with a sprinkler system. Flames rose high in the one without the sprinklers and had to be put out by the fire department.
Philadelphia already requires new and commercial high-rises to have sprinkler systems. David Kurasz of the Fire Sprinkler Association's local chapter says the bill that will also require them in older residential high-rises is simply a safety measure.
“Whatever we can do to save lives, and that’s really where this is coming from,” he said.
But Greg Wertman of the landlord association HAPCO sees things differently, saying the bill is a boondoggle that will cost millions of dollars for no real benefit since residential high-rises are essentially fireproof.
After the office building One Meridian Plaza burned down in 1991, the city required all commercial high-rises to have sprinklers. Wertman says there have been no fatal fires in residential high-rises in memory.
“Almost all fires that occur, and if there’s injury involved, it’s in single family units,” he said.
David Kurasz, executive director of the local Fire Sprinkler Association, acknowledges high-rise fires are rare but says when they do happen, they “are very, very serious events.”
Kurasz says landlords and condominium owners should look at the cost as an investment, noting they will reap insurance savings in the long run and will also have safer buildings.
The bill has not yet had a hearing. Sponsor Mark Squilla says he’s open to amendments that would address opponents’ concerns.