New fire sprinkler codes discussed

Changes in Tulsa's fire code could create some major expenses for the owners of high rise buildings. They're worried that retrofitting their buildings with fire sprinklers will cost too much.

Tuesday, May 3rd 2005, 10:15 am

By: News On 6

Changes in Tulsa's fire code could create some major expenses for the owners of high rise buildings. They're worried that retrofitting their buildings with fire sprinklers will cost too much.

The Tulsa Fire Department believes the cost of not doing it could be even higher. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says it is the fire marshal's job to prevent fires - and limit the damage when one happens.

That is why fire marshals visited Sophian Plaza on Tuesday, to examine a building the fire department would like to see equipped with sprinklers. Right now the building has smoke and heat detectors - but only hand held fire extinguishers. Even though the building is almost completely concrete - the fire department worries the contents of the homes could fuel a fire that would be hard to extinguish.

Many of downtown's high-rise buildings were built long before anyone realized the importance of fire sprinklers. Some of the newer buildings have had them installed and there's a new push to require all of them to install sprinklers by 2010. With former fire chief Tom Baker on the Tulsa city council, the issue is on the front burner.

The council's task force on the issue is talking with property owners about the requirement and finding many of them consider it too expensive and the 2010 deadline too short. The fire department has put a priority on high rise residential buildings like Liberty Towers, because most fires start where people live - and cook.

Despite that - the last major high rise fire in Tulsa was arson - in an office building. It was one of less than 20 high rise office buildings without sprinklers. There are even fewer high rise residential buildings without them. For the Tulsa Fire Department that's still too many - because each one represents hundreds of people they consider at risk in older buildings without modern fire protection.

The Tulsa Fire Department can reach about 75 feet up from the outside to rescue people and put out fires. Owners of buildings taller than that will get invitations soon to meet with the fire department to discuss the coming changes in the fire code.