Home fire sprinklers needed
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
MPP Linda Jeffrey and Brian Maltby, of Brampton's Fire Department, spoke to the club about the importance of installing home fire sprinklers in all newly constructed homes.
Linda has introduced a private member's bill in the Ontario legislature to make installations in new home a requirement.
"I'm passionate about this issue. Like seat belts and airbags I am hoping to make home sprinklers a matter of routine, part of our culture."
Brian said it makes such sense, yet he struggles to understand why it isn't law yet. Smoke alarms, introduced 25 years ago, have reduced deaths from 300 to 100. Sprinklers will not only reduce damage from fire but most important, save lives as well.
Resistance comes from the building industry because of the cost of installing in all new homes, says Brian.
The costs on a new home is about 1 per cent of the selling price. On an older home, it's $2.50 -$3.00 a square foot.
Linda doesn't expect her bill to pass in this sitting of the House, but she says she will re- introduce it again in the fall.
Linda and Bryan are speaking to groups across the city to raise awareness about this important issue.
For more information visit www.homefiresprinkler.org
"I'm passionate about this issue. Like seat belts and airbags I am hoping to make home sprinklers a matter of routine, part of our culture."
Brian said it makes such sense, yet he struggles to understand why it isn't law yet. Smoke alarms, introduced 25 years ago, have reduced deaths from 300 to 100. Sprinklers will not only reduce damage from fire but most important, save lives as well.
Resistance comes from the building industry because of the cost of installing in all new homes, says Brian.
The costs on a new home is about 1 per cent of the selling price. On an older home, it's $2.50 -$3.00 a square foot.
Linda doesn't expect her bill to pass in this sitting of the House, but she says she will re- introduce it again in the fall.
Linda and Bryan are speaking to groups across the city to raise awareness about this important issue.
For more information visit www.homefiresprinkler.org