News

Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Re-Introduced in House and Senate

Published Date: 05.24.2011

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) along with original co-sponsor James Langevin (D-RI) have introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (H.R. 1792) in the House of Representatives while Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE) and original co-sponsor Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced companion legislation (S. 1035) in the Senate. The bill would reduce the tax depreciation rate on fire sprinklers installed in commercial properties from 39 years to 15 years. It would also classify ‘automated fire sprinklers’ as a type of equipment that small business owners can receive a tax credit for purchasing.

“By creating a financial incentive for private industry to install fire sprinklers, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act will ultimately save lives and prevent injuries,” said National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “In addition to the safety benefits, it is important to keep in mind that passage of this legislation will also lead to lower fire department costs, increased loan activity, reduced insurance claims and premium costs, larger numbers of retrofitting and installation jobs, and the generation of payroll tax revenue.”

The importance of automatic fire sprinkler systems was tragically demonstrated in February 2003 when 99 people were killed in a pyrotechnic fire at a nightclub in Rhode Island. Three days earlier, there was another pyrotechnic fire in a nightclub in Minnesota. That establishment had an automatic fire sprinkler system and the fire did not cause a single injury.

The benefits of fire sprinkler systems have long been known. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a public assembly, educational, institutional, or residential building with a complete and fully operational automatic fire sprinkler system. The effectiveness of sprinkler systems in extinguishing fires or extending the time available for firefighters to respond is indisputable. Unfortunately, due to the cost there has been little movement by property owners to install these systems.

“I’d like to thank Senator Carper, Senator Collins, Congressman Schock and Congressman Langevin for introducing this important piece of legislation,” said Stittleburg. “I encourage all NVFC members to contact their Senators to ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 1792 and S. 1035.” 

Media

Search