A bill that requires the installation of sprinkler systems in older residential buildings taller than six stories in Philadelphia became a hot topic again at the end of September. The bill must be passed before the end of the year, or it would have to be reintroduced during council's next session. Fire safety groups and building trades unions are clashing with a coalition of condo owners and apartment associations that say they can’t afford such a costly mandate. Proponents of the bill argue that sprinklers are lifesaving devices, and that the new regulation is essential for public safety. The bill would cover pre-1991 residential high-rise buildings with the same mandate for automatic sprinklers that new apartment and condo buildings have had since that year. See the full article in the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 10/5/2023