New fire code draft proposes compromise
WINDHAM
2/5/2010

By Emily Parkhurst

During the Windham Town Council workshop Tuesday evening, Town Manager Tony Plante presented an alternative version of the proposed fire code initially presented by Deputy Fire Chief John Wescott that would eliminate the controversial residential sprinkler requirements that were part of the original draft.

''Unlike the Deputy Chief's (draft of the code), mine does not include residential sprinklers in R3 or R4, nor does it include the 50 percent renovation language that triggers a sprinkler requirement,'' said Plante.

Under the original code, all new residences regardless of size would have been required to install sprinkler systems, and any changes and renovations to a home that increased the value beyond 50 percent would also have been required to install sprinkler systems throughout the entire home. Both issues have been discussed at length during multiple council workshops.

''It's been very clear that residential sprinklers are not going to get approved no matter how much we sit and discuss this,'' said Councilor Carol Waig during Tuesday evening's workshop. Waig has been supportive of the fire department's recommendations in the past, but indicated she felt it was better to compromise and push this through than to let it linger any longer.

Council Chairman Bill Tracy, who has indicated hesitancy in the past to support requiring all residences and renovations more than 50 percent of value to install sprinklers, said he was glad to see leaders in the fire department pushing for fire safety.

''I would expect the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief to be stalwart advocates for fire safety in Windham,'' he said.

Plante explained that the issue would go to a public hearing with the fire department's original code. This would allow the chief or deputy chief to explain their belief and that all new residential buildings should contain sprinkler systems to the community. It would also give developers and builders the opportunity to express their concerns with the requirements. The council could then decide to approve the code with an amendment by substitution, and use the draft Plante created without the strict residential requirements.

''I'd be very happy with that,'' said Wescott. ''It's not the best place to be in our eyes, but it's a good compromise.''