Type: Title:
Committee(s) Assignment:
Harris, Michelle A. (8) Balcer, James (11) Pope, John (10) Mell, Deborah (33) Sawyer, Roderick T. (6) Resolution
Call for hearing(s) on newly mandated state fire regulations
Joint Committee: Public Safety; Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
87-22-13 12:26p Pg: 2^3
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR HEARINGS AND TESTIMONY ON NEWLY MANDATED STATE FIRE REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, On July 15,2013, the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Larry Matkaitis, proposed that the city adopt the National Fire Prevention Association Standard 101 Rules and Regulations. This would mandate that sprinkler systems be installed in all residential high-rise buildings, including those constructed before 1975, within 12 years, with 25% of the installations to be completed every three years; and
WHEREAS, The proposed changes to the fire code will have an enormous financial impact on homeowners, condo associations, building owners, and businesses. Retrofitting sprinkler systems in existing buildings require an enormous investment and is a large undertaking in any structure; and
WHEREAS, The State Fire Marshal's office appears to be ovexextending its rule-making authority as the Illinois General Assembly did not authorize him to mandate rules for municipalities who constitutionally qualify as a home rule unit of government or evaluate those municipality's fire codes; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned members ofthe City of Chicago City Council urge that a joint committee of buildings and public safety be convened to expeditiously hold a public hearing calling for testimony from the Illinois State Fire Marshal and all appropriate authorities to present justification for adoption of such onerous and expensive regulations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That copies of this resolution be prepared and presented to
Illinois State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis, the Honorable Ray Suarez, chairman of the building
committee and the Honorable James A. Balcer,...
Click here for full text