06/26/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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on whether or not the firefighters could get to the fires if the exits e were being used by those attempting to evacuate. He estimated the cost of $.25 million per year for a ten-man crew and equipment, with attendant operational costs. Mr. Delay clarified Council was considering that all buildings even- tually would have to come into compliance with the code, and this was an introduction of a less expensive way to meet that compliance. Public hearing was opened. Timothy Birr, 2905 Mill, representing the Eugene Firefighters Associ- ation, spoke in favor of the revision. He said the National Fire Prevention Organization set a goal of 50-percent reduction in loss of life and property, and smoke detectors have a potential to attain 40-percent reduction. He noted 70 percent of Oregon's fire losses occur in residential occupancies. The Oregon State Fire Standards determined that residential fire problem in Oregon is the state's greatest area of concern. Smoke detectors would allow fires to be discovered, save lives by early warning, and save property. Regarding the relaxation of the sprinkler system, he said with the existing manpower it was extremely difficult to fight fires in highrise buildings. Elevators were useless in getting firefighters and equipment to the point of origin of the fire, and he noted sprinklers would help contain that point of origin. Some concern was expressed as to the tenants of many highrise buildings being elderly and not ambulatory e which increases loss of life. David Freedman, 1027 Leigh Street, represented the Multi-Family Housing Council of the Lane County Homebuilders Association. He supported smoke detectors in all rental units provided the landlord is not responsible for the six-month inspections. He said existing rental units should not be required to have smoke detectors and sprinkler systems installed. Larry Thorp, 644 North A Street, Springfield, represented the owners of five of the six highrise apartments affected. He introduced into the record a proposal which had been distributed to Council June 14. In response to staff's memo dated June 23, he felt there had been no data to support the relative value of a sprinkler system versus its cost. No statement was included indicating the number of jurisdic- tions which have adopted a similar ordinance. No statistics were provided on the life safety value of the sprinkler systems. He noted the cost figures in his exhibit were obtained through bids from reputable companies. He felt staff's approach was a choice between smoke detectors and sprinkler systems on one hand, or increased fire suppression costs on the other. He did not agree with that. He did not know what apparatus was available in Eugene compared to other cities. He said there are no statistics on the number of communities that use three-man crews versus six-man crews. He noted all five highrise structures had been in existence since 1968, some since 1925, and Eugene had been able to get by with the existing fire crews. He - 6/26/78--3 ~1