Warwick, R.I. – April 3, 2008 – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today introduced an amendment to H.R. 4847 – the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008. His amendment encourages the installation of fire sprinklers in commercial buildings and supports educational programs about residential sprinkler installation. The amendment passed by a voice vote.
“In Rhode Island, we have all learned a very hard lesson on the importance of installing fire protection equipment – in our homes, our workplaces, our schools and recreational buildings,” said Langevin, the Fire Sprinkler Advocate of 2007 for the American Fire Sprinkler Association. “I hope that with a renewed focus on installing sprinklers and other safety devices, we can prevent a tragedy like The Station nightclub fire from ever occurring again.”
There is no question that fire sprinklers save lives. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a public building equipped with a fully operational automatic fire sprinkler system.
In 2007, Langevin introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (H.R. 1742), which would amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide an incentive to business owners for retrofitting existing buildings with life-saving sprinklers. This legislation – which has 114 cosponsors – will reduce the tax depreciation time for retrofitting sprinklers in nonresidential real property from 39 years to only five. It is currently awaiting a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee.
“While it’s clear that fire sprinklers save lives, Congress to date has not taken a position on the importance of this technology,” continued Langevin, who is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “I believe it is critical that we lend our voice to this issue and hopefully save another community from experiencing the devastating losses that West Warwick did.”
