Despite lack of sprinkler system, Midtown Towers passed fire inspection

About a quarter of the people who live at Midtown Towers in Downtown Pittsburgh are calling a Red Cross shelter ‘home’ on Tuesday morning.

No one slept in the 17-story apartment building overnight because of a massive fire early Monday morning. There is no time set for residents to return permanently, although some have been allowed to go back in to retrieve personal items.

Resident Mary Robinson, 75, died in the fire that began on her floor; investigators believe it may have started in her apartment, but have not confirmed that theory.

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The building did not have a sprinkler system, a sticking point for many observers who believe those systems are mandated by building codes.

However, because of Midtown Towers’ age and the date of its last renovation, it was not required by code to have a sprinkler system, and officials in the city’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections said there are many steps involved in changing a building code.

By contrast, officials like Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones and Allegheny County Chief Fire Marshal Matt Brown are big proponents of sprinkler systems because they say sprinklers save lives.

"Compartmentalizing that property and then you add sprinklers to it, nine times out of 10 whatever that event is, it's held to that room,” Brown said. “In many cases, by the time the fire department gets there, it might be extinguished."

No law or city code requires older high-rises to have sprinkler systems, and since installing such systems can cost millions of dollars, city officials say it's unlikely that will change.

The city has a proactive fire inspection program focusing on older buildings, and Midtown Towers passed that inspection.

Insurance adjusters are expected to visit the building Tuesday.

Cox Media Group