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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 Fire Sprinkler Agendas & Minutes MINUTES OF THE ELGIN FIRE SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 7t`, 2003 PRESENT: Bill Freiberg, Mark Mastrorocco ABSENT: Chuck Miller Chairman Bill Freiberg called the meeting to order at 0925 hours. Materials from the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board were distributed to the committee. The Mission Statement and Goal Statement of the Elgin Fire Sprinkler Advisory Committee was discussed and both were accepted (see attached). It was discussed that the committee must operate under the Illinois Open Meeting Act and that the committee would meet on scheduled Fridays in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall at 0900 hours. Chairman Freiberg called for adjournment at 1005 hours. Seconded by Mark Mastrorocco. r% • twpi • CITY OF ELGIN SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER, 2003 MISSION STATEMENT Having been appointed by the Mayor and City Council of Elgin, the Sprinkler Advisory Committee will gather any and all information available relating to residential fire sprinklers including but not limited to: • Costs incurred by the builder/developer and home owner • Existing residential fire sprinkler ordinance already in place locally and elsewhere • Life safety and loss reduction statistics attributed to such ordinances CITY OF ELGIN SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER, 2003 GOAL STATEMENT The Elgin Sprinkler Advisory Committee will present the results of all research and information gathered by this committee along with our recommendation to the Mayor and City Council of Elgin that they may make an informed decision relating to the enactment of a residential fire sprinkler ordinance affecting all new single and multi-family residences to be constructed within the City of Elgin. AGENDA RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 21, 2003 9:00 A.M. MAYOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Presentation by Elgin Association of Firefighters 4. John Rothenberger—Code requirements in sprinklered single and multi-family residences 5. Representative from the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board 6. Assignments to Committee members 7. Scheduling of future meetings 8. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE ELGIN FIRE SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ELGIN CITY HALL 0900 HRS NOVEMBER 21, 2003 PRESENT: Bill Freiberg, Chairman Charles Miller, Charles Miller Real Estate Mark Mastrorocco, Pulte Home Corporation GUESTS: John Rothenberger, City of Elgin, Dept. of Code Enforcement Thomas Lia, Northern Ill. Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board David Danley, Fire Safety Consultant Thomas Sandor, Elgin City Council Joseph VanDorpe, Elgin Association of Firefighters OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Loucas, Attainable Housing Alliance Jamie Reap, U.S. Fire Protection of Ill., Inc. Chairman Bill Freiberg called the meeting to order at 0905 hours. Joe VanDorpe stated that as President of the Elgin Association of Firefighters, the Association Local #439 of the International Association of Firefighters, strongly advocates the use of sprinklers in all buildings as they have for years. The Association further advocated enactment of a sprinkler ordinance to ensure the safety of not only the residents of the community, but the firefighters who protect them(see attached). Chairman Freiberg addressed a concern also, that such an ordinance must not be considered as a substitute for a well trained, properly equipped and correctly staffed complement of firefighters in close proximity to any area of the city, even though they may be protected by fire sprinklers. John Rothenberger stated that he foresees few, if any, trade-offs in construction methods if the residence is sprinklered, but with the city's water supply there would be no need for fire pumps in the systems due to our more than adequate water main pressure. He also stated that he receives a 20% reduction in his fire insurance rates since his own home is sprinklered. He further thought perhaps the city could offer an incentive of some sort to developers or buyers of these homes. Mark Mastrorocco asked if John saw any cost or other burden to the city as a result of such an ordinance and John saw none. Tom Sandor stated he was informed by Mark Biernacki that the only burden would be some added time doing the plan reviews of the homes. Tom Lia stated that the N.I.F.S.A.B. is not looking to have homes fully sprinklered and advocated staying within the N.F.P.A. 13 D Standard. Pg.2 Tom Sandor stated that the intention is to legislate only minimum standards and also that the developer may be in the community for up to 10 years; however, the city must protect the development for its lifespan. Chuck Miller stated that from an economic standpoint, should the city pass such an ordinance, either the buyer pays or the developer takes less profit. Mark Mastrorocco had concerns that these homes may not sell as quickly as a result of such an ordinance. Chuck Miller advocated heavy public education for buyers and also the legislators to encourage support of the ordinance. Mark Mastrorocco agreed as did the other members and he cautioned that we must attract home buyers in what is a very competitive market. Bill Freiberg asked those present if they had seen any resale benefits to owners of sprinklered homes and none were noted. Bill Freiberg gave the following assignments to the committee to be presented at the next meeting on Dec. 5th at 0900 hours. Chuck Miller will invite 2 local residential sprinkler installers to verify the $1.50 to $2.00 per sq. ft. installation cost of the N.F.P.A. 13 D System. Mark Mastrorocco will contact Rep. Tim Schmitz of Batavia to inquire about his proposed legislation allowing tax incentives in sprinklered buildings and if it would apply to single and multi family residences. Bill Freiberg will invite Fire Marshal Jim Feit of the Barrington Fire Department and a representative of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. Both Barrington and Hoffman Estates have enacted such legislation and the committee wished to know first hand how their ordinances were accepted along with all the pros and cons these neighboring communities encountered from citizens, buyers and developers. We also wish to know of any obstacles encountered by their municipal officials. Tom Lia submitted a copy of the Clarendon Hills sprinkler clarification document and Bill Freiberg will make copies to distribute at the Dec. 5th meeting. There being no further business, Mark Mastrorocco motioned to adjourn and Chuck Miller seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. AGENDA RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE DECEMBER 5, 2003 9:00 A.M. MAYOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL • Call to order • Roll call • Presentation from local sprinkler contractors(C. Miller) • Research from Hoffman Estates and Barrington regarding impact of enacted sprinkler ordinances(B. Freiberg) • Research from Rep. Tom Schmitz regarding proposed legislation allowing for tax incentives applied to sprinklered buildings(M. Mastrorocco) • Schedule of future meetings • Adjournment MINUTES OF THE ELGIN FIRE SPRINKLER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ELGIN CITY HALL 0900 HRS DECEMBER 5,2003 PRESENT: Bill Freiberg, Chairman Mark Mastrorocco, Pulte Homes Corporation GUESTS: Thomas Sandor, Elgin City Council Fire Marshal James Feit, Barrington Fire Protection District Interim Fire Marshall Mario Tristan-Hoffman Estates Fire Dept. OTHERS PRESENT: Jamie Reap, U.S. Fire Protection of Ill, Inc. ABSENT: Committee Member Charles Miller, Charles Miller Real Estate Chairman Bill Freiberg called the meeting to order at 0910 hrs. Motion to adopt the minutes of the Nov. 20 meeting made by Bill Freiberg and seconded by Mark Mastrorocco. Jim Feit stated that prior to any hearings, the Village Board of Trustees was given packets and educated as to the value of a sprinkler ordinance before they were pressured by other interest groups who were adverse to this legislation. He further stated the fact that lives lost in fires every year are by far, the result of residential fires as opposed to commercial fires(85%-90%). Also, that these residences in and of themselves do not catch fire by themselves. The 3 major causes of these fires are men, women and children. He further stressed the education factor, noting that their building department was educated about and strongly believed in residential fire sprinklers. Additionally, he urged that the building and fire inspectors be educated as well, so as not to force a builder to exceed the standards of N.F.P.A. 13 D which is the standard that Barrington adheres to. While the standard does not require sprinklers in garages and attics, one developer in the village has elected to install them in their homes regardless of the minimum standard. It must be noted also that this ordinance applies only to the village of Barrington, II. and, that the Barrington Fire Protection District protects several dozen square miles outside the village including South Barrington and Barrington Hills. Since enactment of the ordinance in the village limits, several developers and potential homeowners have contacted his office requesting information about fire sprinklers in their new homes, even though none are required in those jurisdictions. Pg. 2 Jim advocated separate permits for building construction and fire sprinkler systems to avoid any holdups in home construction because of potential delays in plan reviews, etc. Mario Tristan agreed strongly that education is the key to acceptance of such an ordinance and that the solution must be a partnership between the developers and home buyers along with all levels of city government, from elected officials to management, code enforcement inspectors and the fire department. He stated that Hoffman Estates saw no loss of new home sales following enactment of the ordinance. Jim Feit agreed with this, saying that developers saw areas built and sold out in some cases up to a year ahead of projections. Mario Tristan did admit that originally Hoffman Estates enacted a modified version of N.F.P.A. 13D, but that at a later date reverted back to 13 D standards, requiring no sprinklers in places such as small bathrooms or small closets. He stated that the homeowners were pleased with the ordinance and the protection it provided. Jim Feit agrees saying he had gotten the same comments in Barrington, particularly from mothers with small children. Bill Freiberg asked about the true cost of the system and whether it was close to the $1.50 to $2.00 or square foot figure presented by the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board. James Reap said his company has been able in most cases to hold to the $1.50 sq. ft. figure and that often it is less in the much larger homes. However, owing to some custom designs, occasionally it may cost up to but not exceeding $2.00 sq. ft. Jim Feit said one home owner came to this office with a complaint that her system had exceeded this figure and he was able with her help to discover that her home builder had added a 20% profit margin to the fee he was charged by the sprinkler installer. This issue was resolved by the builder and the owner, and he is unaware of any other such complaints. Jim Feit added that their systems do not go through the water meter and there have been no instances of anyone cheating by bypassing the meter and taking household water from the sprinkler system, as this would be a complicated maneuver requiring professional assistance. Jim Feit suggested also that while it is the responsibility of the committee to educate the city officials, the builders and developers in partnership with the city should educate the buyers. Pg.3 Mario Tristan submitted a copy of an educational pamphlet on residential fire sprinklers from Hoffman Estates(see attached) and also said that most systems he has seen have been installed in only 2 or 3 days at most. James Reap agreed with this time frame. Jim Feit complimented the Committee and Councilman Sandor on their slow and methodical approach to this issue and cautioned against moving too quickly to pass this legislation as apparently was the case in Clarendon Hills, Il. (see attached) He also stated that Clarendon Hills also must rely on outside consultants to not only do their plan reviews but also their on site inspections of the buildings. Elgin, of course, does this all in house. There being no further business, it was agreed that the next meeting will be scheduled on Jan. 9th at 0900 hours at City Hall. Mark Mastrorocco will invite Mark Guenther, the Director of Construction from Pulte Homes and also Scott Withington, Director of Sales from Pulte and perhaps one of their sales people. Bill Freiberg will invite Mary Lucas of the Attainable Housing Alliance, an organization that advocates buyer choice over mandatory sprinkler legislation. He will also contact Tom Lia of the N.I.F.S.A.B. to request sample copies of all such ordinances in force now in Northern Illinois and elsewhere. A self help binder in developing an ordinance is also available and this will be requested as well. These will be copied and distributed to committee members and also to the City Corporation Counsel who hopefully can attend the Jan. 9tn meeting. Chairman Freiberg moved to adjourn was seconded by Committee Member Mastrorocco and the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 hrs.