A new mandate from the State Fire Marshal is being debated
at the Statehouse. Those opposed to new regulations are hoping lawmakers
will make the final decision in this battle between the State Fire Marshal and
home builders.
While organizations and lawmakers point out the thousands of dollars this
mandate could potentially cost home builders, fire fighters here and across the
state, ask, can you put price on a life-saving device? That’s the
question being debated in the House.
The State Fire Marshal is pushing for a mandate that would force the
installation of fire sprinklers in all new home construction.
“Life safety is huge and if we can prevent the fire, or hold the fire in
check, prior to the fire department’s arrival, that gives our citizens a better
chance to escape that building that may be on fire,” said Springfield Fire
Chief Ken Fustin.
But, some area organizations are calling the mandate unnecessary.
“The homes built today all have smoke detectors that are wired and we have
the national statistics that show that 99.4% of lives are saved because you’re
awake, you’re woken up, you get out of the house,” said Dean Graven,
representative with the Springfield Area Home Builders Association.
They also call it unfair.
“You’re looking at a minimum of $6,000, to as much as $15,000, to have
that put in,” said Graven.
