Fire Suppression Systems

[GammaZeta]

Tom, I think it depends on the school or municipal code.

Gamma Zeta had to have them installed during the major renovations in the 80's to have it up to date. If we didn't do the renovations, we wouldn't have needed the sprinklers since the lack of them would have been grandfathered in.

More and more towns and cities are cracking down on non-campus student housing.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Tom, I think it depends on the school or municipal code.

Gamma Zeta had to have them installed during the major renovations in the 80's to have it up to date. If we didn't do the renovations, we wouldn't have needed the sprinklers since the lack of them would have been grandfathered in.

More and more towns and cities are cracking down on non-campus student housing.

Yes is and does. A knee jerk reaction is always the thing to do.

It seems that the grandfather clause is being more trampled on.

I am sure that if all of us had a wish, it would be to have sprinkler systems in all houses that hold more than even a few members.

[john1082]

Unfortunately a grandfather clause does not serve to vitiate liability. Just because a grandfather clause says that sprinklers need not be installed would not necessarily equal a jury saying no liability.

The argument "But we meet the code" doesn't work. The Titanic met all applicable codes and was still short of lifeboat space! Sprinklers are a basic safety item. You can't get a hotel room without them now - at least in a room built within the last 20 years or so. Some houses now have them. Dorms have them. If we have a fire in a house that lacks them I just don't want to be in that courtroom when the jury returns with the verdict.

[Tom Earp]

John, once again your point is well taken as while only a few if any on G C have ever been in the same situation of losing a Brother/Sister in a fire. I include myself of course.

That is the main reason or part of it to demolish our "Old Peice of Crap House". It was a disastor waiting for a place to happen.

Would I love to see supresion systems in every house/dorm, you bet!

As I mentioned in another thread, I fought for it, but many things were put into place for it other than sprinklers.

There needs to be a seminar on what should be done and what not done with certain items with flames to try to keep it down from problems happening. We hope!

[GammaZeta]

It really is a cost issue. Ideally every residential house everywhere would have a sprinkler. Of course, ideally every house would have new electrical, special insulation, fire retardant sheet rock and so on.

Really, everyone should follow the basic common sense rules: no candles, watch the stove while cooking, don't smoke in the house, don't cover fire detectors, don't overload circuits, keep objects away from heating sources, don't use too high a wattage bulb, no matches or lighters, and on and on.

Unfortunately, some people lack that common sense.

[john1082]

True, it is a cost issue, but should there ever be an incident at a house that lacks a sprinkler system I have no doubt that one line of questioning would focus on how money was spent on items other than sprinklers. A BBQ pit might not result in an angry jury, but a swimming pool instead of sprinklers might.

I don't know if the general fraternity has a census of chapters houses and their sprinkler status but if we don't then it might be a worthwhile task for the ELCs when they visit. Not to smack, but to gather data. We could then use that data to put together a strategy to install fire supression systems in the houses that lack them.

We owe this to our undergraduates, their families, and to ourselves.

[GammaZeta]

But John, a swimming pool is so much better than a sprinkler system. We can just equip each room with a plastic bucket and during a fire, have the brothers fill up at the pool!!!!

The thing is, there are so many more urgent structural needs chapter houses need before a $100,000 sprinkler system. If it's up to a chapter to take out a mortgage or significantly raise their rents for a sprinkler system, most chapters would vote no, and I can't really blame them.

[Ottor 246]

Originally Posted by john1082

it might be a worthwhile task for the ELCs when they visit. Not to smack, but to gather data. We could then use that data to put together a strategy to install fire supression systems in the houses that lack them.

I think this is the right idea. Mandating that chapters install sprinklers in thier own houses would be a death sentance to some of our financially weaker chapters. The first thing to do is to see how many houses don't have them, then work out, for example, at ten-year plan to make sure they get them.

If you need anything in the way of suggestions or data, I will see what I can do for you. In addition to being a volunteer fireman for the last 11 years, I happen to work in the fire service industry and I am personally acquainted with Pennsylvania's State Fire Commssioner. So my modest "connections" are at your disposal.

Mark