Ald. Michele Smith Urges Residents to Oppose Sprinkler Regulations

A Lincoln Park alderman is voicing concerns regarding what she says are "possibly illegal" and "completely unnecessary" regulations proposed by the State Fire Marshal.

Local 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith sent out her second newsletter Monday that's touched on the issue. The regulations apply to pre-1975 high rises and audible fire alarm systems on buildings that are four stories and taller and have at least 11 units.

"The regulations are possibly illegal, are completely unnecessary from a safety standpoint, and are definitely a financial disaster for our residents," Smith says. "The best way for us to fight is to directly contact the 12 members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), who must vote to approve the regulations."

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The Fire Marshal proposed rules June 28 that would overrule current city of Chicago requirements for sprinkler systems and other safety measures in high rises, both existing and future. 

The proposed rules would require:

• Retroactive installation of sprinklers in all pre-1975 high rise buildings, within 12 years, whether or not the building already underwent the Life Safety Evaluation mandated by the city of Chicago under the City's Life Safety Ordinance.

• Sprinklers in all newly constructed homes.

• Sprinklers in existing homes and residential buildings where more than half of the building is renovated.

• Sprinklers in new religious buildings with seating for more than 300 people.

• Sprinklers in restaurants with dancing, and all bars larger than 700 square feet.

• Fire alarm systems with manual pull stations that automatically notify the fire department in all apartment buildings more than three stories tall or more than ten units in size.

Aside from the expense of following potential regulations, Smith says they violate the city's "home rule" authority.

Since 1975, the city of Chicago has required all newly constructed high rise buildings to be equipped with sprinkler systems. 

The city also requires all pre-1975 hotels, motels, shelters, dormitories and other transient residential buildings to install sprinkler systems by the end of 2016.

Instead of requiring sprinkler instillation in pre-1975 buildings, Chicago officials enacted the Life Safety Ordinance. Under it, each building must undergo a rigorous life safety evaluation, including upgrades such as fire-rated doors, communication systems, emergency lighting and smoke detectors. 

These upgrades were found to have a comparable effect on safety to sprinklers, Smith says.

"The City and my fellow aldermen are adamantly opposed to this unwarranted expansion of regulation," she said. "This could lead to massive rent hikes or special assessments starting at an estimated $25,000-$35,000 per unit and even more depending on whether installation requires asbestos removal or if the installation triggers American Disability Act upgrades."

Chicago has some of the most aggressive fire regulations in the country, Smith continued.

"If the proposed requirements could be shown to save lives in Chicago, perhaps these enormous costs could be justified," she said. "However, the proposed requirements duplicate fire safety measures that are not only already in place but have proven to save lives."

Smith's office has a sample letter on its website for residents sharing her concerns. The deadline for public comment is Aug. 12.

State Rep. Ken Dunkin is hosting a town hall meeting this Wednesday night on the proposed sprinkler regulations. 

Members of the Joint Committee, which must approve the rules, and officials from the State Fire Marshal's Office will be present to provide more information on the proposed rule changes and to answer your questions. 

See the accompanying flier for additional information.