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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2002
PR-239-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS BILL AMENDING BUILDING CODE TO REQUIRE AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS IN BELOW GRADE LOCATIONS IN MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS


Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws


"The bill before me today is Introductory Number 203-A, sponsored at my request by Council Members Provenzano, Addabbo, Baez, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, Gerson, Lopez, Nelson, Recchia, Rivera, Weprin, Vallone, Jr., Lanza, Golden and Seabrook.

"Tragically, on Father's Day last year a fire in a Queens hardware supply store took the lives of three New York City Firefighters: Firefighters John Downing of Ladder 163, and Brian Fahey and Harry Ford of Rescue Company 4. The fire was started in part by the large quantity of vapors released from paint and other flammable and combustible mixtures stored in the basement of the hardware store. These vapors, combined with gasoline and ignited by the pilot light on a hot water heater, caused the fire and subsequent explosion and collapse that led to the firefighters' deaths and injured many others.

"Hardware stores and mercantile establishments often use their basements for storage. Over the years, the risks associated with this practice have become a critical fire safety concern, both for firefighters as well as for the lives of building occupants. These below grade locations may not be adequately ventilated and they are generally less accessible - conditions that make it difficult for firefighting personnel to quickly extinguish a fire and prevent its spread.

"This bill will amend the City's Building Code to require that automatic fire sprinklers be installed in each basement, cellar or other location below grade in any mercantile establishment in which the Fire Commissioner permits the storage of flammable or combustible mixtures. To minimize the cost of complying with this legislation, a business owner who elects to store these mixtures in a segregated storage area, with two-hour firewalls, will only be required to install fire sprinklers within that storage area.

"The Father's Day fire highlighted the need to address the fire safety concerns raised by the storage of flammables and combustibles in below grade spaces in mercantile establishments. Automatic sprinklers are a technology that has proven effective in preventing fatal fires, reducing fire related injuries and minimizing property damage. I am confident that this legislation will go a long way toward addressing the fire safety concerns raised by such storage and will help prevent another tragedy in the future."

 

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Edward Skyler / Jerry Russo
(212) 788-2958