BY ED COLLINS Special to The News-Sun April 17, 2012 7:46PM
Six ordinances proposing to update Gurnee’s international building and fire codes were presented to the Village Board on Monday night, and all but one breezed through with little debate.
However, the International Code for one- and two-family dwellings was defeated by a 4-1 vote. Trustee Cheryl Ross was the only one in favor because it included a mandate that fire sprinklers now be required in all new home construction. Trustee Steve Park was absent.
The International Codes are essential global standards designed to provide municipalities with state-of-the-art construction practices that ensure a safe and sound dwelling. The codes are also essential to all municipalities in preserving favorable residential homeowners insurance ratings.
Controversy over installing sprinklers in newly constructed homes was expected, although it has been required for businesses for years. Some trustees had questioned the necessity at the previous board session on April 2. They point out there were only six home structure fires last year, and only one new home was constructed.
However, both the village planning staff and Fire Marshal Tom Keefe supported its inclusion in village ordinances, maintaining fire sprinklers save lives and could reduce overall property insurance rates slightly within the village.
It didn’t take long on Monday night for the sprinkler issue to flare up again. Several Realtors and industry representatives present spoke against the issue. Most of the arguments against installing sprinklers entered around concerns over lack of a shut-off valve should system pipes burst damaging the home, or in the event a child may accidently activate a sprinkler head. Excessive system installation costs of more than $10,000 for the average residential dwelling were also criticized.
Howard Handler, a governmental affairs director for the Illinois Association of Realtors, told trustees that smoke detectors were more important than an expensive sprinkler system.
“With such a heavy price tag and with marginal benefits, consumers should be the ones to decide if a $10,000-plus piece of safety equipment is right for the family, or if their money would be better off going toward a retirement plan or a youngster’s college fund,” he said.
Handler said most importantly though is that Gurnee residents install and regularly test their smoke-fire detectors.
“It is the No. 1 thing you can do to save the lives of your family,” he indicated.
James Smith, a Gurnee Realtor, agreed the decision to install a fire sprinkler system should be left up to the homeowner.
“It’s a matter of personal choice,” he said.
Mark Bushman, a Realtor and home builder, said mandating smoke detectors is much better than mandating an expensive home sprinkler system.
“I view them as a liability, not as an asset. You have a far greater economic risk from water damage should the system malfunction,” he said.
The only supporter in the audience was Gurnee resident Jennifer Peterson, who frankly admitted she was employed in the fire sprinkler industry.
“Yes, I’m a believer in fire sprinklers,” she said. “Home construction has changed. Interior living spaces are now much more open than they were many years ago. Fires can spread quicker. And the synthetic materials contained in many furnishings burn faster and hotter than ever.”
Peterson said in addition to the personal safety sprinklers provide, insurance ratings and homeowner premiums are 3 to 5 percent cheaper to homeowners who have installed fire sprinkler systems.
Mayor Kristina Kovarik weighed in on the discussion by supporting the Gurnee Fire Department and village planning staff in calling for fire sprinklers to be included in the building codes.
“This is about saving lives. People expect this of us. It will also reduce property insurance rates throughout the village,” she indicated.
Following the defeated vote, Kovarik let it be known she isn’t giving up on installing home sprinklers in new homes. She plans to continue discussion at an upcoming informal committee-of-the-whole sometime in May.
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