King wants province to require sprinkler systems in homes
By Anneleen Naudts

King Fire Chief Bryan Burbidge and Brampton - Springdale MPP Linda Jeffery addressed Township council Monday night to request the municipality's support for provincial legislation on residential fire sprinkler systems.

Councillors were all in favour of the recommendation to continue to lobby the province to amend the Ontario building code to require sprinkler systems for new homes in future subdivision agreements. Council also recognized the need to continue educating the public on the benefit of residential sprinklers, as well as proper care and maintenance of smoke alarms.

Jeffery, who has seen two private member bills on sprinklers defeated in the legislature, said she is looking for municipal support on requiring sprinkler systems for new residential buildings. "I want Ontario be be the safest place in Canada," she said.

"People are eyeing your community," she added. "You have an opportunity to work with planners to create safer homes."

Burbidge stressed the importance of residential sprinkler systems to save lives. While smoke alarms can be attributed to much of the reduction in the death rate, the decline has reached a plateau and the number of deaths are now constant, he observed.

Though fire deaths in Ontario have been dramatically reduced from a high of 277 in 1975, last year there were 93 in the province, he stated.

Burbidge presented research showing smoke alarms may not be as effective in warning occupants as once was thought. An activated smoke alarm may not awaken sleeping children, and even when awakened, they may be disoriented or groggy, hindering their ability to put learned fire safety and evacuation measures into practice.

Many people killed or injured in fires are elderly or disabled, young children or persons impaired by alcohol or drugs, Burbidge explained. Often these people are unable to react to a smoke alarm.

While alarms provide a needed warning system, they cannot extinguish a growing fire. Unlike what is seen in movies, only those sprinklers near the fire will activate, said Burbidge.

Public perception favours residential sprinkler systems, he added. Overwhelmingly, Ontarians feel that fire fighters should take the lead on providing information on fire safety, and 72 per cent supported making sprinklers mandatory.

The cost of a sprinkler system is roughly on par with installing hardwood floors, said Burbidge. It is about one to one-and-a-half per cent of the home value. Putting this cost into perspective, he asked, "What is the cost of a human life?"

Statistics revealed a sprinkler system can significantly reduce average cost of fire losses. In an unsprinklered house, the average cost of damage is $13,937, whereas in a sprinklered home the average cost is $1,065, said Burbidge.

Vancouver, the only Canadian city mandating sprinkler systems, has significantly fewer fire fatalities than Toronto, he pointed out. Of these fatalities, none occurred in sprinkled homes.

Jeffery discussed the missed opportunities to include sprinkler provisions in the Ontario building code. She pointed to the requirements for earthquake proofing. "Over the last 10 years, how many people have died due to earthquakes?" she asked, rhetorically.

Survey findings showed that 69 per cent of homeowners believe sprinklers systems increase the value of a home, and 38 per cent say they would be more likely to buy a home with sprinklers than one without, said Burbidge.

The survey also found 36 per cent of people would prefer sprinklers over hardwood floors, and 35 per cent would prefer them over cabinet upgrades.

Being able to include the cost of sprinklers into the mortgage proved an installation incentive for 43 per cent of people.

Councillor Linda Pabst said she had no argument, and asked for council's support.

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti said sprinklers "sound like a great idea." He questioned what would have motivated handy-man Mike Holmes, who wrote to the Globe and Mail that sprinkler systems may be more trouble than they're worth.

Jeffery said she couldn't speak to Holmes, but guessed he may have been compensated. "It is a money issue," she suggested.

Jeffery added she's especially worried about fire safety in rural communities. Volunteer fire fighters cannot be on the scene as quickly, thereby making sprinkler systems especially needed in these communities, she said. "This is going to save people's lives."