Mandatory Sprinklers a Wash

June 21, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 22, 2010

The Home Furnishings Independents Association, Dallas, Texas, and its members recently gave testimony that helped prevent a code change that would have mandated that retail buildings showing or warehousing upholstery/mattresses would have to add sprinkler systems even if they had been grandfathered by their local code agencies.

Numerous HFIA members from Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Indiana, along with a consultant from the American Home Furnishings Alliance, testified in person and in writing against a proposed code recommendation. The hearings lasted two days and HFIA's testimony was vital in preventing the potential code change.

"Several members I spoke to said that having to add a sprinkler system to their buildings would potentially put them out of business," said HFIA President Mary Frye.

"This is outstanding news and a huge accomplishment for all retailers, especially those of us in historic buildings," said Carol Johnson of Johnson Furniture Co.

Andy Counts, CEO of the AHFA, said although he believes the safety of these properties a top priority, installing sprinkler systems retroactively is an expensive investment.

"Part of our successful argument [against sprinkler systems] was that retailers have a tremendously vested interest in their buildings, contents and communities being safe and so there are policies and procedures to ensure that they are," Counts said.

To ensure the community's safety, retailers currently implement effective practices such as inspections by fire officials so they know about the layout of buildings, no smoking policies, proper trash disposal and building inspections by store personnel to spot potential problems. In addition, the industry supported a recent code change that requires sprinklers in all future retail establishments.

"Nonetheless, with these effective safety measures in play, we will likely see this effort again next year and the year after that," Counts said.