Fire chief pushes sprinkler systems

Cape Girardeau fire chief Rick Ennis worries about the damage that could be caused by a major blaze in the city's historic downtown, damage he says could be largely prevented by sprinkler systems.

He's even exploring how the city might help fund the installation of sprinklers in downtown buildings.

Ennis has sought to convince downtown merchants to install sprinkler systems ever since a March 19 fire destroyed the Bella Italia restaurant at 20 N. Spanish St., the second devastating blaze in the city's downtown in less than a year. A fire and resulting explosion on Aug. 16, 2004, leveled Cape Restaurant Supply at 340 S. Frederick St.

Neither building had a sprinkler system. And though neither was required to have one, he said, businesses would be wise to have such protection.

Ennis has looked at a number of options ranging from taxing cigarettes to federal grants. Ennis said imposing a city sales tax on the purchase of cigarettes and tobacco was rejected because state law doesn't allow for such a tax.

He said the department might look at applying for a federal grant to help fund sprinkler systems.

City council members said they're not ready to mandate that all businesses install sprinkler systems.

Mayor Jay Knudtson said he doesn't want to put a financial burden on businesses and that mandating sprinkler systems would hurt the local economy.

At the same time, he said, city officials need to explore ways to improve fire protection.

"It would be irresponsible for us to have experienced recent fires and not look at options,' he said.

Councilman Charlie Herbst said the fire chief is taking the right approach in trying to educate downtown merchants about the benefits of sprinkler systems.

Ennis said sprinkler systems save lives and could reduce business insurance costs.

A common misconception is that a sprinkler system drenches everything in a building when a fire occurs, Ennis said. In reality, sprinkler heads operate individually and the water damage is confined to where the fire occurred, he said.

"As a general rule, one sprinkler head will cover 10 square feet. Ninety percent of the fires in buildings with sprinklers are controlled with four or less sprinkler heads," the fire chief said.

Sprinklers typically dispense 15 gallons of water a minute, Ennis said. Most sprinkler systems automatically trigger an alarm notifying the fire department.

The fire chief said it's important to protect Cape Girardeau's historic structures from fire because structures such as the three 19th-century warehouse buildings that now house Port Cape Girardeau restaurant are irreplaceable.

In recent years, downtown renovation efforts have led to the development of second-story apartments above first-floor businesses.

"I would love to see a hundred percent occupancy down there. I just want to make sure the residents and patrons are safe," Ennis said.

A few cities mandate sprinklers in all buildings including residential structures.

In Cape Girardeau and other cities, buildings have to meet fire codes.

Sprinklers are required in large commercial structures and most industrial buildings, as well as large restaurants and nightclubs, city officials said.

But restaurants and nightclubs of less than 5,000 square feet and that don't exceed a maximum occupancy of 300 people aren't required to have sprinkler systems, said city inspection services director Robb McClary.

"Building codes and fire codes are minimum standards. They are designed to allow people to get out of a building. They are not designed for protection of property," he said.

A sprinkler system, on the other hand, is designed to do just that, McClary said.

Boils down to cost

Still, merchants are reluctant to install sprinkler systems.

Restaurant operator Mark Dirnberger plans to rebuild Bella Italia, but city officials said he doesn't plan to install a sprinkler system.

Dennis "Doc" Cain, who owns Port Cape Girardeau, said that it boils down to cost.

Cain estimated installation of a sprinkler system in his restaurant could cost $20,000. While he plans to explore the possibility of a sprinkler system, he said he isn't sure if it is financially feasible.

Even without a sprinkler system, Cain said, his restaurant is equipped with fire alarms, smoke alarms and heat sensors. Like other restaurants, the hoods on his kitchen stoves are outfitted with fire suppression equipment.

McClary, the city's inspection services director, said businessmen need to take into account that they won't have to spend as much on fire walls and other fire-code items if they install sprinklers.

McClary backs the fire chief's efforts to encourage merchants to put in sprinkler systems rather than seek to do so by governmental mandate. "It is not the heavy hand of government moving in," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123