Law requiring fire sprinklers up for a vote again in Menlo Park Law requiring fire sprinklers up for a vote again in Menlo Park (June 30, 2004)

By Rebecca Wallace
Almanac Staff Writer

The burning question of whether to require automatic fire sprinklers in most new homes and many homes with major remodels is set for discussion by the Menlo Park City Council on Tuesday, June 29.

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District's plan came before the council in January and April, but council members were wary of a cost burden on residents and business owners.

As before, the law would mandate sprinklers in all new buildings over 1,000 square feet. The requirement would also apply to existing single-family homes with remodels or expansions exceeding 75 percent of the square footage of the buildings. For any building greater than 2,500 square feet, other than single-family residences, the threshold would be 50 percent.

This time, though, there's a new stipulation, intended to require sprinklers in only the most major remodels. To fall under the mandate, projects would have to expose 60 percent or more of the framing members (such as structural beams) of the areas being altered.

Fire district officials have pushed for mandating sprinklers in new basements of 250 square feet or more. But city staff do not think there is sufficient evidence that this measure would really provide safety benefits, building official Ron La France wrote in a staff report.

Menlo Park Fire Chief Paul Wilson said it's a mistake not to recommend sprinklers in basements.

"From a fire safety viewpoint, basements are really more challenging," he told the Almanac. "Fires that occur are not visible from the street. Smoke stays heavier and thicker, and there's generally limited egress."

On the other hand, Chief Wilson said he thought the stipulation regarding 60 percent or more of the framing members was "reasonable."

Fire district officials have not disputed that sprinklers carry a cost, but they say they are worth it because they could save lives by buying residents more time to escape from a blaze. According to a January staff report, it could cost $10,000 to $20,000 to install sprinklers in an existing home of 2,500 square feet.

The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 801 Laurel St. The Atherton and East Palo Alto councils have already passed similar legislation on fire sprinklers.

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