NFPA Journal - January/February 2014 - (Page 14)
>> PersPectives
VIEWPOINTS ON FIRE + LIFE SAFETY
Bullish on sprinklers: Ken Peterson (left),
commissioner of Minnesota's Department
of Labor and Industry, and Scott McLellan,
the department's executive director of
Construction Codes and Licensing.
Won't Back Down
Ken Peterson and Scott McLellan of Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry
talk about their push to expand residential sprinkler use in the state
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED AND EDITED BY FRED DURSO, JR.
THE OPPOSTION TO home fire sprinklers in Minnesota
has been as biting as the state's winters. The Minnesota
State Legislature, for instance, passed bills in 2011 and 2012
prohibiting new mandates on sprinkler installation in the
state's residential building code.
Fortunately for sprinkler advocates, the state also has
some powerful players on their side. Minnesota Gov. Mark
Dayton vetoed both bills, stating in a decision letter for
the 2012 bill that "I take very seriously the concerns which
fire safety professionals have expressed about the safety of
home residents, their properties, and the lives of [firefight-
14
NFPA JOURNAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
ers]. They contend that, with fire sprinkler systems in place,
fires could be more readily contained, resulting in fewer
injuries and deaths to homeowners and firefighters." In July,
NFPA recognized Dayton with a special award for his commitment to fire safety.
The issue now rests with the Minnesota Department of
Labor and Industry, which is in the process of updating its
residential building code and wants to incorporate more
stringent sprinkler provisions. According to current code
requirements in Minnesota, two-family dwellings and townhouses of a certain size must be sprinklered. New proposals
Photographs: Thomas Strand
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - January/February 2014
NFPA Journal - January/February 2014
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
In Compliance
First Responder
Research
Wildfire Watch
Outreach
Firewatch
#Are You Prepared?
Life and Death at Memorial
Barrier Smarts
Perfect Storm
Conference & Expo Preview
Section Spotlight
Product Showcase
Looking Back
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