Politics & Government

Should Communities Be Allowed to Require Sprinkler Systems?

A bill has been filed by state Rep. Ruth Balser.

A bill on Beacon Hill would allow cities and towns to require fire sprinklers in new residential buildings with two or more units and dwellings that are “substantially rehabilitated.”

State Rep. Ruth Balser (D-Newton), who filed the bill, has focused on “fire safety in response to the tragedy in 2000 when a building on Boylston Street in Newton burned and fie people died. She filed a bill that closed loopholes in the state's requirements for automatic sprinkler systems, and that bill was signed into law in 2008,” according to her website.  

The latest bill has its supporters and detractors. 

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The Boston Globe reported firefighter associations support the bill and there are other proposals involving sprinkler systems on Beacon Hill.

But others oppose the legislation, such as landlord groups, which say that fire safety education is what’s important and not more laws.

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What do you think? Do you think communities should have the ability to require fire sprinklers or do you think it’s not needed? Let us know in the comment section below. 


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