Fire Sprinkler Safety Organization Challenges States To Ban the Ban on Local Fire Sprinkler Codes

ORLAND PARK, Ill., Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- While national codes require home fire sprinklers installed in all new construction single-family homes, half of U.S. states are able to pass codes that require the life-saving technology, the other half cannot due to anti-sprinkler code efforts.

Tom Lia, executive director of the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB), laid down a new year's challenge he calls "Ban the Ban" to fire safety advocates concerned about reducing home fire loss.

According to Lia, while a number of jurisdictions had success passing sprinkler requirements, others were held back by anti-sprinkler efforts. Citing a report from ProPublica, the housing industry spent more than $517 million on state politics over the last decade supporting lobbying efforts designed to keep sprinklers out of the codes.

"We can't afford to sit back and watch sprinkler codes blocked," Lia said. "How can we allow a ban on improving public safety? It is an overreach of the legislative process and it needs to be challenged. The housing industry and real estate associations have used politics to work against state code adoption autonomy," he said.

According to Lia, whether in the fire service, as code officials, as property owners or representing the sprinkler industry, the first step should be to fully understand the issues. Once we do, we can better educate others within our organizations and communities and broaden our effort against sprinkler opposition.

To read to full article: http://www.firesprinklerassocnewsletters.org/index.php/ring-in-the-new-year-with-a-bang-not-a-ban/

About the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB)
NIFSAB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting progressive legislation, raising public awareness, and educating code officials and governmental policy makers by demonstrating the proven performance of fire sprinklers in saving both lives and property. For more information, visit www.highriselifesafety.com.

SOURCE Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB)

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