High-Rise Sprinkler Bill Falters

The Assembly on Thursday doused legislation that would have required installation of automatic fire sprinklers in all high-rise buildings in the state, balking at a provision that would have forced tenants to pay for the systems.

The Assembly rejected the proposal by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) on a 39-32 vote.

Opponents argued that under rent-control ordinances in cities such as Los Angeles, tenants of high-rise buildings would have seen drastic rent increases if the measure had become law. Torres’ proposal, however, contained exemptions for low-income families.

“Under the guise of safety, we are basically driving the middle-income elements out of the cities because no longer can they afford this great, safe housing,” said Assemblyman Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles).

Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles), floor sponsor of the measure, countered that “the cost and inconvenience is significant, but it pales in comparison to the potential loss of life.”

Under state law, all buildings over 75 feet tall and built after 1974 are required to have automatic fire-extinguishing systems. Friedman’s measure would have extended that requirement to all high-rise buildings in the state, regardless of age.

Los Angeles and San Diego have already adopted ordinances requiring sprinklers in pre-1974 buildings by a certain date.

Torres’ measure was patterned after a similar bill that was passed last year after a fire in upper floors of the First Interstate Bank tower in downtown Los Angeles. That bill, however, was vetoed by Gov. George Deukmejian, who said that such requirements should be left to local officials.