This is a major setback for public safety in Wisconsin. This opinion means that new
apartment buildings under 20 units no longer have to have fire sprinklers. That is just
crazy!
There is no doubt that fire sprinklers have proved themselves to be a successful, cost-
effective method to reduce fire deaths. To not have sprinklers in these large new apartment buildings is a tragedy waiting to happen.
The Professional Fire fighters of Wisconsin call for the following action:
1. State legislators should call themselves back into Extraordinary Session to quickly
enact legislation re-instating the apartment fire sprinkler rule.
2. If the State Legislature is not able to act quickly the Governor should direct the
Department of Safety and Professional Services to place a moratorium on
approving any new apartment building plans until the Legislature acts when it
returns for its next regular session on January 16, 2018.