The Illinois State Fire Marshal wants fire sprinkler systems mandated in all new residential home construction and existing places of assembly.
State Representative David Reis opposes the proposal. The Olney area Republican says 40 states have already turned down statewide fire sprinkler mandates because of the cost. Reis says this could put a damper on new home construction in southern Illinois. He says many rural areas of the state where residents rely on water wells do not have adequate water supply to for sprinklers. Reis says current law allows home owners to install sprinklers in new home construction if they wish. But, he says the mandate would place an unfair financial burden on families to install and maintain a sprinkler system when smoke detectors offer high-quality protection against home fires.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for August 6th in Springfield. Reis encourages southern Illinoisans to submit written comments to the State Fire Marshal's office.
