DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Update from the feasibility study for fire sprinkler requirements in existing high-rise buildings including recommendations from the San Antonio Fire Department to adopt an ordinance requiring all high-rise buildings to have fire sprinklers installed within 12 years.
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio Fire Department will an update to the City Council Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Services Committee with the results of the stakeholder group studying the feasibility of a retro-active sprinkler system requirement for all high-rise buildings in the city. The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) will also provide recommendations for the adoption of a fire code amendment requiring all high-rise buildings to install fire sprinklers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In February 2015, the (SAFD) requested approval of the Public Safety Committee to establish a stakeholder group to study the feasibility of a retroactive fire sprinkler requirement for high-rise buildings following the tragic events at the Wedgewood Apartments in Castle Hills. With the committee's approval, the group was established and met a total of five times with the kick-off meeting held on April 15, 2015. The stakeholder group consisted of multiple entities including, but not limited to; the San Antonio Housing Authority, the San Antonio Apartment Association, representatives from the Building Owner and Manager's Association, insurance industry representatives, sprinkler contractor representatives, various fire protection engineers, condominium owner's groups, and others.
The SAFD surveyed a list of high-rise buildings to determine how many did not have fire sprinkler systems installed. Approximately 36 buildings were ultimately identified as those that were classified as high-rise buildings, yet did not have sprinkler systems installed. Twelve (12) were partially sprinklered....
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