Item No.: 2

Recommendation: No recommendation, an informational presentation on residential fire sprinklers (NFPA 13D).

Background: The Mayor requested the Fire Department to provide information on the benefits and impact of a residential sprinkler ordinance. Residential sprinklers represent a new and different approach and technology to residential fire protection, by adding fire suppression to the early warning of smoke detectors. With more than eighty percent (80%) of the fire fatalities occurring in the home, residential sprinklers have the potential to reduce fire death and property loss attributable to fire. They can enhance the capacity of public officials to provide for the health and safety of all our citizens, including those most at risk, such as the elderly, the very young, and the disabled. At the same time, residential sprinklers can help to flatten future expenditures for fire without diminishing the quality of fire service and protection.

Many communities across the country have adopted ordinances requiring residential fire sprinklers (NFPA 13D). Experts assisting in the presentation:

1. Dan Gengler Regional Manager of the National Fire Sprinkler Association. Dan is currently working with several communities in adopting residential sprinkler ordinances.

2. Jim Schifiliti with Fire Safety Consultants, Inc. Fire Safety Consultants have assisted several communities in Northern Illinois in adopting a residential sprinkler ordinance.

Fiscal Impact: None at this time.

Prepared by:

George Krudop

Assistant Fire Chief

Approved by:

Gerard R. Hammernik

Fire Chief

Respectfully submitted,

Robert L. Kufrin

City Administrator

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk