Lawmakers push for modern sprinklers in old buildings
BANGOR, Maine – A bipartisan group of legislators wants to make sure older high-rise residential buildings are outfitted with more sprinklers.
Sens. Susan Collins, R-maine, and Michael Bennet, D-colorado, and Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-new Jersey, are leading the effort. The lawmakers said Thursday their proposal would amend tax code to create a new incentive for building owners to install the sprinklers in buildings that were built before fire codes required them.
The lawmakers said fires in older buildings are especially dangerous and the new safety standards would benefit firefighters. Collins said modern sprinkler systems “can help avert these tragedies by controlling and extinguishing fires, protecting firefighters, and saving countless lives.”