July 2, 2007—Following the fire at the Sofa Super Store warehouse in Charleston, South Carolina, the United Association (UA) Fire Sprinkler Fitters Union has pledged to work closely with fire service and building department groups to upgrade codes and make buildings safer for occupants and firefighters.
According to reports, the fast-spreading fire burned uncontrolled until firefighters arrived. The severely undermined structure collapsed, killing nine firefighters. The building was not protected with a fire sprinkler system.
Officials in South Carolina have stated the building did not have sprinklers because it was built before codes were in place that required fire sprinkler systems.
“We need to remove the deadliest fire code of them all, the ‘grandfather clause’,” said John Zubricks, business manager of UA Local 281 in Chicago. “We support the fire service and building officials who want to upgrade their codes. They need our help to educate elected officials and legislators so they understand why there is a need to do away with dangerous ‘grandfather clauses’ that permit the lack of fire safety measures or allow for substandard measures to exist.”
For decades, national fire safety experts have recognized that fire sprinkler systems provide an incomparable level of fire protection to occupants and first responders, and that their use should be increased.
For more information, see the union’s Web site.
