By Kat Hughes
Columbia Daily Tribune
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Fraternities and sororities are safe - for now - from a provision in the city fire code that requires them to refit their houses with fire sprinkler systems.
Meeting last night, the Columbia Building Construction Codes Commission voted to repeal the provision, which it passed in January, requiring Greek houses at the University of Missouri to install fire sprinklers by 2013.
Building codes Commissioner Fred Malicoat told fellow panelists that Greek organizations would meet to discuss the issue tomorrow night, saying they could table the item until the commission’s November meeting. But several commissioners said they had already heard everything they needed and were ready to vote.
One person spoke out against the code during the public hearing.
David Bear, a Sigma Chi fraternity alumnus, said he heard the Delta Delta Delta sorority’s estimate to install fire sprinklers was $300,000 for the 10,000-square-foot house. Bear said he opposed the code because it would financially hurt the Greek system.
“Some of them can’t afford this, and they will be forced off campus,” Bear said. “Then, they’re in student housing that’s not in a Greek house, so they’re not required to have fire sprinklers anyway.”
Several commissioners said they were under the impression when they voted in January that the Greek community supported the code. In May, the Columbia City Council sent the law back to the commission for review after representatives from Greek houses said they thought the code unfairly singled them out.
Last night, several commissioners said they also thought it was unfair, and the commission passed a motion recommending the city council repeal the law.
“We’re disappointed,” Columbia Fire Marshal Steven Sapp said. He insists the measure is necessary because of a 1999 fire-related death in a fraternity house. “But our job now is to educate the city council on the issue and provide additional information on the difference between fraternities and sororities and other housing as well as provide more examples of other communities’ success in installing sprinklers.”
Even if the city council agrees with the commission and repeals the provision, the current fire code requires fire sprinklers for multi-family housing, but it will only affect the fraternity and sorority houses if they undergo major renovations in the future.
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