6195-87 Oppose HB442 - Automatic Sprinkler Systems

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RESOLUTION NO. 61g5-87 BY:Chinnock, Gallagher, Graham, Salmon, Wendling A RESOLUTION urging the elected representatives of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives to oppose the adoption of House Bill 442 requiring the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in buildings over 75 feet in height. WHEREAS, House Bill 442, already passed by the Ohio House on June 29, 1987, and now under consideration in the Senate, requires the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in buildings over 75 feet in height, and WHEREAS, this pending legislation, obviously sponsored by a special interest group, is replete with uncertanties, is not clear as to intent or purpose, and is subject to varied interpretation and legal challenge, all to the substantial detriment of owners of high- rise buildings and/or the individual units contained therein, and WHEREAS, information available to date indicates that the cost of installation of the required automatic sprinkler systems would be astronomical and although an installation schedule is provided in the Bill, such costs nevertheless would result in further substantial economic hardship to a multitude of persons affected by the Bill and subject to its provisions, and WHEREAS, while recognizing the need, benefit and value of fire safety measures and precautions, this council determines that, in view of all the foregoing, the hardships that would result from the adoption of House Bill 442 far outweigh any increase in fire safety which might result from the adoption of such Bill and are not justified in light of the statistics available as to the frequency and severity of high rise fires and the experience over past years as to any fatalities related thereto, and WHEREAS, this Council is very much concerned as to the overall impact of House Bill 442 on the affected residents of the City of Lakewood and throughout the State of Ohio and wishes to express its opposition to the adoption of House Bill 442p now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That the Council of the City of Lakewood hereby expresses its strong opposition to the adoption of House Bill 442 requiring the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in buildings over 75 feet in height and urges the leadership and elected representatives of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives to defeat the adoption said Bill. Section 2. That the Clerk of Council be and she is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to State Senator Charles L. Butts, President of the Senate Paul G. Gillmor, Senate Minority Leader Harry Meshel, S to Representative Francine M. Panehal, Speaker of House of Rep s tat'ves Vernon G. Riffe, and House Minority Loera~der Corwin M. Ni Adopted: ~ S ~O / P CLERK ~ Approved• ~a 7 M YOR