The city of Long Beach in California has approved new fire safety regulations for high rise and multi unit residential premises, but has stopped short of requiring the compulsory retro-fitting of automatic sprinkler systems.
The move comes after a period of wrangling between the fire department, city council, and property owners and follows a fire two years ago at the Paradise Gardens apartments, which killed two people and injured 18.
The new ordinance – which also applies to hotels with 50 or more units under one roof – originally proposed the compulsory installation or retro-fitting of automatic sprinkler systems to all buildings. But lobbying from property and residents association resulted in an alternative option of a range of other fire safety measures.
The alternative to fitting sprinklers requires owners to submit a compliance report, which includes a fire safety and evacuation plan, to the local fire department. It also entails the attendance of a fire inspector at residents’ association meetings every three years to discuss the building’s plans. In addition, high rise buildings must have a fire warden system, annual evacuation training, and a fire drill witnessed by fire department officials – as well as a store of life safety equipment on hand for firefighters.
According to a Long Beach Fire Department study, the cost of retrofitting sprinklers is $3-4 per square foot for a single family home, and $4-5 a square foot for a multi-occupation residence,
