Atherton to rethink home fire-sprinkler rule Atherton to rethink home fire-sprinkler rule (July 28, 2004)

By Andrea Gemmet
Almanac Staff Writer

After initially embracing a plan to make fire-suppression sprinkler systems mandatory in nearly every new home in town, as well as on most major remodeling projects, the Atherton City Council appears to be wavering in its resolve, and could join Menlo Park in rejecting residential sprinkler requirements.

Atherton officials, along with their counterparts in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and San Mateo County, were asked by the Menlo Park Fire Protection District last year to adopt a requirement for fire sprinklers in new residences bigger than 1,000 square feet.

Existing homes being remodeled or added onto by more than 2,500 square feet would have to be retrofitted for fire sprinklers, as would homes adding new basements larger than 250 square feet.

Fire officials told the Atherton City Council that residential sprinkler systems dramatically reduce the incidence of injuries and death, and minimize property damage. An initially skeptical City Council was swayed by the fire district's presentation as well as by pictures of unobtrusive and virtually undetectable sprinkler heads.

The council adopted the ordinance in February.

However, because Atherton's ordinance is tied to a parallel ordinance passed by the Menlo Park fire board, fire district officials asked the town at the July 21 council meeting to repeal its ordinance and ratify a slightly revised version with changes that will affect East Palo Alto only.

The Menlo Park City Council last month voted down the ordinance amid debate over the benefits versus the costs of the sprinkler systems.

Referring to Menlo Park's decision, Atherton council members said they needed more information on whether the fire district's cost estimates for sprinkler systems were too low, and whether the actual price of installing sprinklers would be too onerous on homeowners.

"I've heard a number of comments from residents, as well as hearsay from the council in Menlo Park, questioning the benefits-cost aspect, and I'm sitting here with no additional information," said Councilman Jim Janz.

Mayor Kathy McKeithen said fire-sprinkler installation companies refused to give her cost estimates, saying that there were too many variables involved, such as the size of a home's rooms, and the height and type of ceilings. It could take residents up to 75 years to recoup the cost of installing a system from discounts on homeowners insurance, according to one Atherton resident's analysis, she said.

"I think we have to reassess our position," Ms. McKeithen said.

The Atherton resident, Sandy Crittenden, said an estimate to install sprinklers in a 1,500-square-foot manufactured home he ordered was $7,000, or more than $4.50 per square foot.

Menlo Park Fire Chief Paul Wilson said the district got quotes ranging from $1.60 to $1.90 per square foot from companies installing sprinklers in houses currently under construction in San Mateo County.

In Portola Valley and Woodside, where residential fire sprinklers have long been required, the cost of retrofitting homes ranges from $1.90 to under $3 per square foot, Chief Wilson said.

Requesting more information, including copies of staff reports from Menlo Park, the Atherton council voted to defer its decision on the fire sprinkler ordinance to its September meeting.

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