U.S. Congress -- Proposals on Fire Safety in Greek housing, dorms, etc.

[exlurker]

Some members of Congress are proposing measures to increase college campus fire safety. Possibilities range from new reporting requirements to changing depreciation allowances to make expensive changes like sprinkler systems more affordable. "Inside Higher Education" has an article with some links to proposals:

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2005/05/26/fire

Who knows whether these will go anywhere during this session . . .

[33girl]

The thing about this is in some of the most notorious fraternity fires, the houses have been off-campus houses and this bill would do nothing.

There needs to be something to hold everyone who has ANY kind of student housing, Greek or not, off campus or on, accountable for some of these hovels.

[Alpha Sig Scott]

I am an electronic security professional dealing in fire alarm and life safety systems. I welcome legislation that will further protect GLO lives and assets. Sprinkler systems are incredibly expensive to retrofit to a fraternity or sorority chapter house. I'm all for any way to lower the cost of this necessary equipment and its related systems.

Many fraternities have chapter houses that are in dire need of updated fire alarm systems. It's scary. However, new fire alarm systems tend to cost some bucks. The good news is that there are many financing options available.

I've found that sororitys often have better alarm systems that are current with local fire codes. Fraternities could learn a thing or two from sororitys on this vital subject.

[DeltAlum]

Scott,

Your points are well taken. We have talked about fire safety before here and somewhere there is a link to an organization who helps Greek houses with sprinklers, etc.

Perhaps sororities can spend some of the money they save in insurance premiums to update their houses.

At this point, mandatory sprinkler (or even less expensive monitoring equipment) could bankrupt many chapters -- or simply force them to give up their houses.

[Tom Earp]

Granted but Grandfather Clause does preclude many Laws.

The Rules do also add that it can issue lower a lower Insurance Premium. It also Depends on Local Building Codes about Fire Sprinklers. I and We are building a New House but because of the rooming it does not require sprinklers and I do not agree with the plans!

Safety is a concern!

[Alpha Sig Scott]

Tom,

Local fire codes regarding sprinklers vary at the local and state level. Sprinklers may not be required for your new chapter house because of this.

I share your concern that a non-sprinkled chapter house may not be the right way to go. Cash however, is always a concern when building. Sprinkler systems are nothing new. The technology has been around for well over 100 years. The cost though of installing a sprinkler system, even new construction is quite expensive. Insurance discounts will offset the initial install cost.

In lieu of a sprinkled chapter house you should look into a monitored fire alarm system. This type of system will consist of smoke and heat detectors located throughout the house tied into a fire alarm control panel. The system is monitored by a UL listed central station. In the event of a fire, the fire department is dispatched by the central station. I'm sure that your local fire code will mandate at least this type of protection. Cost for this type of system may only be a few thousand dollars, vs tens of thousands for a sprinkled house.

[Tom Earp]

Scott, I could not agree with you more.

LXA does have a low cost loan system in place for this but unfortunatly it is not taken use of that much.

Granted, a lot cheaper in New Construction than trying to retrofit Older Houses.

I am sure because a Brother is footing the bill and a Brother is building our new house, that some sort of alarm system will be in place for Noise, Smoke and Heat detection plus exits.

Thanks for the great input, it is very insightful.

Oh on a side note, I just wonder how fire represive the New Greek Courts being built are?

[exlurker]

Update: Text of Bill Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives

A Pennsylvania newspaper has the text of the college fire safety bill that was recently introduced in the U.S. House (see below). Since social fraternities and sororities would be eligible for assistance under this bill, I assume that (inter)national HQs as well as the NIC, NPHC, NPC and other organizations will be following the progress of this and any similar bills.

The House principal sponsors are listed, so people living in the appropriate states/districts might want to contact their Representatives.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/11792641.htm

[OleMissGlitter]

The State of MS is taking control of this! They passed a bill that by 2010 all sorority/fraternity housing must have sprinklers.


Interesting information from the Delta Tau Delta Webapge


Interesting article

[whtwudusay]

The collegiate fire safety initiatives are not really new. These have been discussed in legislation for at least the past three years.

Many local municipalities are requiring that all fraternities and sororities have sprinkler systems by xyz year.

In my opinion, the more optimal legislation on the table (and HQ's, NIC, NPC, etc. are pushing for) is the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act. This legislation is basically a tax equity bill and benefits more than just GLOs. A brief explanation goes like this - it would allow money donated to an already established 501(c)3 (i.e. Delts Foundation, KDR Foundation, etc.) and earmarked for housing renovation to be 100% tax deductible as long as it's not for recreational or sports equipment (swimming pools, hot tubs, basketball courts, weight rooms).

The way the tax code is currently written, hypothetically, I can donate $200,000 to the KDR Foundation (since it is a 501 (c)3) to do housing renovations for sprinkler additions at my chapter house at XYZ University and the only portion of that donation that is tax deductible are the educational areas of the house (study lounge, computer lab, library, etc) but not the sleeping quarters. In other words I get a tax break for protecting books and computers but NOT students! It's actually pretty adsurd and this bill would make more sense. Conversely, I can donate $$ to XYZ University, tell them to build a dorm and it is entirely tax deductible. Fraternities and Sororities have a harder and harder time getting money for house maintenence and retrofitting older houses for improvements such as sprinkler systems - this bill would be a big help to that.

I would encourage you all to contact your Senators and Representatives to get them to support the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act.

There is more detail to the bill - if anyone wants more information (more specifics, bill number in house or senate, sponsors, what it's scored at, etc.) feel free to PM me.

Anyhow - I just wanted to add that part to this topic - since it's important. I'll get off my soapbox now.

[Zillini]

A little more than a year ago the city of Tuscaloosa, AL passed an ordinance requiring all student housing to have sprinklers, including GLO's. No grandfathering. The biggest problem is that the University of Alabama's water system simply can't handle it. So the UA has been forced to bump that up on their "To Do" list, something they hadn't really planned on. Still, folks are guessing that we'll have until about 2010 to meet the codes.

I heard through the grapevine that one of the smaller (physical size) houses got an estimate of $80,000. All GLO House Corps are now reworking their budgets to try and save for this.

Here's something though, the University has somehow been able to set it up so donations from GLO alums can be made for their housing through the UA and be tax deductible. I'm not sure of the details, but I can find out. Our House Corp Pres also works for the UA and was instrumental in setting this up. I'll try to find out more and report back.

Another thing, a while back (2-3 years ago?) I received a mass email from my Internationals about a proposed federal legislation that would make donating to student housing fully tax deductible. Inat'ls wanted everyone to contact their Reps in support of the bill. I never did hear what the outcome was, but I assume since I haven't heard anything else that it must have died.

[Tom Earp]

John, what most people dont realize is that You Do Have The Experience That You may have.

I cannot more firmly agree with you!

As I said in an earlier Post, LXA does have Low Interst loans, but still it does cost money for the Chapter. Maybe, Hopefully all can and will do.

The Main Thing is to protect Your Members!

[whtwudusay]

Tom -

KDR has low interest loans as well. However the cost to make these changes for a lot of houses are upwards of $200,000.

Zillini -

That legislation didn't pass during the last Congress. It was attached to President Bush's Charitable Giving Act - but alas last year was an election year and it didn't get through the Senate.

So....it is starting from scratch this year. It is the same bill - and will again go onto the Charitable Giving Act - but we need to gain the support again.

So, I can't emphasize enough to contact all of your representatives to encourage them to support the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act.

The bottom line is this - it's in everyone's best interest to address this issue through this legislation. GLO's are the largest not for profit student landlords in the country. We house more than 250,000 students nationwide. Do you think state colleges and universities can afford to find safe housing for those students otherwise?

[Tom Earp]

John, Please Keep us Informed.

The main thing is Risk Management which constricts all of This and us.

Yes it does because It does mean alot

[Alpha Sig Scott]

The proposed "college fire prevention act" is great news. I'm very happy that GLOs were included in this act.

It's impressive that according to the article GLOs account for housing a 1/4 million students each year. It is every bit as important that these students have the same fire safety systems that dorms and newer apartments have.

At an average of $60,000 to $100,000 to retrofit a GLO chapter house with an sprinkler system government grants are going to be important. Please support this legislation!