PITTSBURGH — New regulations requiring all high-rise buildings to have automatic sprinkler systems are being introduced Tuesday to Pittsburgh City Council.
The proposed regulations come after a May 2017 blaze at Midtown Towers in downtown Pittsburgh that claimed the life of a 75-year-old woman.
STORY: 1 dies in 7-alarm fire in downtown high-rise
The legislation requiring sprinklers in all buildings that are 75 feet or higher -- typically covering high-rises with at least six stories -- would make changes to Pittsburgh’s fire code, incorporating the regulations into city law, the release said.
Building owners would have 12 years to comply with the regulations, which are part of the state building code, according to a news release.
[ CLICK HERE to read the proposed legislation. ]
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones said the requirements would be in effect for buildings constructed before sprinkler systems were common.
RELATED STORY: Pittsburgh fire chief calls for law to require more sprinkler systems
Midtown Towers is 110 years old. It does not have sprinklers.
“If Midtown Towers had sprinklers, it would have been a non-event,” Jones said.
TRENDING NOW:
- Pa. state rep. introduces bill to legalize recreational marijuana for adults
- 5 things to know about Bill Cosby, his prison sentence, victim Andrea Constand
- Teacher says she was fired after refusing to abide by 'no zero' policy
- VIDEO: Judge rules Cosby a 'sexually violent predator
- DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts