The Associated Press
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — This fast-growing city plans to require developers to install new firefighting equipment in any building that is more than three stories tall, despite complaints from developers that the new rules will make construction too expensive.
The regulations call for equipment to keep smoke out of stairways, a backup generator for electricity, and a fire alarm system that includes recorded voice instructions for evacuations. The rules also require buildings to have a fire command center with alarm control panels and building maps, and an equipment room on an upper level stocked with extra air tanks and hoses.
The estimated cost for a typical five-story office building would top $300,000. The city council gave preliminary approval last week, with a final vote set for April 18.
Developers say the rules undermine the Placer County city’s push to have taller office buildings to attract large corporations.
But Fire Chief Ken Wagner said his department isn’t equipped to handle a multistory blaze. Hiring enough firefighters to be prepared for a mid-rise fire would cost Roseville taxpayers $4 million a year, said Fire Marshal Dennis Mathisen.
“We’re still a relatively new city, we’re still growing,” said Mathisen. “We have the opportunity to start out on the right foot with new development.”
The city is considering other financial incentives to encourage construction of taller buildings.