Ill. Gov. Blagojevich Signs Fire Sprinkler Bill

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill this week requiring the installation of fire sprinkler systems in all public and private college and university dormitories by 2013.

“With his approval of this legislation, the Governor has demonstrated his commitment to protecting the lives of college students on campuses across the state,” Tom Lia, executive director of the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, said. “The bill’s sponsors and the Governor are to be commended for the roles they each played in taking this giant step forward in campus safety.”

The Governor affirmed his support of fire sprinklers by saying, “Quite
simply, sprinkler systems save lives. As parents, we shouldn’t have to worry that our college students might be killed in a dorm fire when something as simple as a sprinkler system could save their lives.”

Fire sprinkler systems reportedly have a track record of success that dates back more than a century. Sprinklers are reportedly a highly effective solution to the fire problem and installation of sprinkler systems is growing in most properties.

Rep. Daniel Burke (D-Chicago) and Sen. Lawrence Walsh (D-Joliet)
co-sponsored HB 4361. “This is a proud day for our lawmakers, and a great day for Illinois,” Lia said. “Students here and all over the country now have another excellent reason for choosing a college or university in Illinois for their education.”

NIFSAB is a non-profit organization composed of fire officials,
contractors, building officials, suppliers, architects, engineers, and
manufacturers.