Fatal fraternity house fire prompts sprinkler ordinances
In response to a fire in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house on the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill, the Chapel Hill Town Council there has recently enacted local sprinkler ordinances. Five students perished in the fire, which occurred last year on Mother`s Day/Graduation weekend. The building was not sprinklered.
The ordinances, according to Chapel Hill Fire Chief Dan Jones, “set a precedent in North Carolina for sprinkler requirements.” They will require for the following:
the retroactive installation of sprinkler systems in existing fraternity and sorority houses within five years;
the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in newly constructed fraternity and sorority houses;
the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in new and renovated commercial structures that exceed 6,000 square feet or access and height requirements based on fire department suppression practices; and the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in multifamily residential occupancies of three or more attached dwelling units that exceed 6,000 square feet of floor space and access and height requirements based on fire department suppression practices.
Jones and his staff prepared a proposal that included options for the council to consider. Jones` presentation to the council included addressing questions and concerns raised by the members of the council and the public. The proposal was supported by several civic and industry-related associations including the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), the AFSA Carolinas Chapter, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, and Operation Life Safety.
