High-rise sprinkler regulations being introduced after deadly Pittsburgh fire

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

Building owners would have 12 years to comply with the regulations, which are part of the state building code, according to a news release.

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.

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.

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