Sprinkler proposition for new Illinois homes

This article from NBC Chicago highlights the support from Illinois fire chiefs for a new residential sprinkler initiative proposed by State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis. The initiative, which has been submitted to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules in Springfield, includes a requirement for fire sprinklers in all new single-family homes across the state. Fire Chief Michael Falese of the Bartlett Fire Department and President of the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association called the proposal a significant step toward improving public safety. “We believe it’s the right time,” he said. “The sprinkler initiative in homes is aimed at the preservation of life.” Currently, 91 jurisdictions in Illinois already require fire sprinklers in new homes, making the state one of the most sprinkler-friendly in the country. If the new code is adopted, Illinois would join California and Maryland as the third state to mandate residential sprinklers. Falese noted that similar resistance was seen in the past when smoke detectors were first introduced. “If you go back 30 years, a lot of individuals and organizations opposed smoke detectors,” he said. “But now they’re a standard part of home safety.” In Lake Zurich, Fire Marshal Mike McNally shared his positive experience with sprinklers. “Our experience has been very good,” he said. “We have over 1600 residences in our district that are protected by sprinklers.” He explained how quickly a room can reach dangerous temperatures during a fire: “A typical living room or bedroom can flash over, reaching up to 1,600 degrees in just 2 to 3 minutes.” Another article from NBC Chicago sheds light on the broader debate around the new fire code. State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis emphasized the importance of updating the state’s fire code, which hasn’t changed in over a decade. “Everyone in Illinois deserves safe housing,” he said. “Every state fire marshal in the country is trying to do the same thing.” However, the proposal has faced strong opposition from the City of Chicago, which claims home rule authority to ignore the state code. The city argues that retrofitting older buildings with sprinklers would be too costly, especially for pre-1975 structures. Matkaitis disagrees, stating that the current fire code is outdated and insufficient. “The statute applies all over the State of Illinois, whether it’s Chicago or Cairo,” he said. “I want cooperation from everybody to save lives and property.” The debate has also drawn attention from national fire safety organizations. NFPA President James Shannon praised the effectiveness of sprinklers in reducing fire-related deaths, especially in high-rise buildings. “Where sprinklers are involved, the chance that somebody’s going to die in a fire goes down dramatically.” Despite these arguments, Chicago continues to resist the new requirements. Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago maintains that the city’s own life safety code is sufficient and that the state’s proposal is unnecessary. Meanwhile, the National Fire Protection Association held its annual convention in Chicago, a city with a history of devastating fires—like the 1967 fire at McCormick Place, which lacked sprinklers. At the event, Shannon urged Chicago to lead the way in protecting its residents. “Chicago should be the leader on this,” he said. “These are great buildings. They should be protected. But more importantly, the people who live in them should be protected.” As the debate continues, the push for residential sprinklers remains a hot topic in Illinois, with fire officials and safety advocates urging lawmakers to take action for the sake of public safety.

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