Recommend Water Shutoff Policy Changen To Keep Sprinkler SystemsRunning
Posted: Saturday, December 10, 2011 10:00 am | Updated: 2:40 pm, Fri Dec 9, 2011.
City leaders are recommending a measure that allows for sprinkler systems to be connected to the city’s water supply on a separate valve than other water to homes.
The measure was discussed Monday at the request of Ed Schmelz, who is developing a subdivision, including townhouses in north Union, off CC Camp Road.
By adding sprinklers into each residence, Schmelz will be required to install one-hour fire resistant walls — instead of two-hour fire resistant walls — which could save money and provide adequate fire protection, according to Union Fire Protection District Chief Russ Hamilton.
If the city allows for different valves to the home — one for sprinklers and the other for all other water — the city still can shut off water without risk of limiting fire prevention at the home.
“We are more concerned with the liability if we knowingly dismantled someone’s water, and disconnected their sprinkler system,” said City Engineer Jonathan Zimmermann.
He explained that in the past, there had been an instance of a commercial business which had its water shut off, including the sprinkler system.
“I also want to request that commercial and industrial (businesses) have outside access,” Zimmermann added.
He noted that there would be one “tapping fee” to connect water and sprinkler lines to city services.
Kenny Scheer, the architect for Schemlz’s development, said the city will have to address the sprinkler issue at some point as the use of the systems become more prevalent.
“As codes continue to evolve, it is going to be a matter of time before they (sprinklers) are a requirement in every residential district,” he said. “How we get water to the house is something you have to sooner or later address.”
Scheer added that residential water use is minimal compared to commercial buildings.
Hamilton further explained that sprinkler systems are unnoticeable and designed along with the plumbing system.
“We all envision a humongous, monstrosity of a thing that sits in a mechanical room,” he said, “but when we talk about a sprinkler system in the residential home, you barely notice it is there.”
Hamilton said that sprinklers are becoming very common in protecting homes and residents.
“In the ’70s, people thought that smoke detectors would put people out of the housing market,” he said. “This is something good, not only for the builder, but for the occupants of the town homes and the community.”
According to Hamilton, the city’s ISO rating, which gauges insurance costs, can be reduced if home’s have sprinkler systems.
“They are not rating the fire district, they are rating the community,” he said.
The sprinkler systems are triggered by heat, which melts a plastic cover.
“It is only designed to protect occupants while they are getting out of the building,” he said. “It still will put out a fire in its infancy.”
“The city should encourage residential sprinkler systems,” Hamilton added. “They are a win-win for the community.”R
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