No sprinkler system in Midtown Towers

There is no sprinkler system in Midtown Towers, and it's not required to be there.

11 Investigates has learned it's an issue widespread throughout the city, changing from building to building.

"We need to make sure we are inspecting these places before an emergency strikes to make sure all of the response systems are happening correctly," said Maura Kennedy, department of permits, licenses, and inspections.

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Pittsburgh began requiring high-rises install sprinkler systems in 1990.

But the code only applied to new buildings, or those that went through major renovations.

All others like Midtown Towers, which became apartments more than 50 years ago, were grandfathered in.

Based on renovations, sprinkler systems can even vary floor-to-floor in the city, putting firefighters in a difficult situation.

Allegheny County Chief Fire Marshal Matt Brown said sprinklers can 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."

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But there's no law requiring older high-rises to have sprinkler systems, and with a price tag in the millions of dollars, city officials say it's unlikely that will chance.

The city did restart a proactive fire safety inspection program focusing on older buildings. Midtown Towers passed its inspection last March.

Cox Media Group