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06/08/2015 b. The study showed that greenhouse gases released by burning buildings can be reduced by 98% when Automatic Sprinkler Systems are installed. In addition, the study found that Automatic Sprinkler Systems have the following benefits – they reduce fire damage by up to 97%; reduce water usage to fight a home fire by upwards of 90%; and reduce the amount of water pollution released into the environment. The study also showed that the building with the A utomatic Sprinkler S ystem provided more time for people to react to a fire and the property was far less damaged . ( www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/research/environmental - impact - of - fire - sprinklers.aspx#sthash.tJGDRPiV.dpuf ) c. In the event of a fire, typically only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate spraying water directly on the fire a nd leaving the rest of the building dry and secure. When firefighters have to spray a building with water hoses, there is a much greater likelihood of water damage to the building and interior household items and furnishings. d. Installing Automatic Sprinkler S ystems may result in insurance savings. The national average for installing automatic fire sprinkler systems in new homes is $1.35 per sprinklered square foot. ( www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/advocacy - tools/fact - sheets/insurance - discounts - for - home - sprinklers.aspx ) In 2007, the federal gover nment reported its findings after conducting a cost - benefit analysis regarding installing residential fire sprinkler systems and found reductions in the risk of fatalities and injuries, insurance premiums, uninsured property loss, and t hat the sprinkler sy stems are generally economical. ( www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build07/PDF/b07025.pdf ) It is estimated that the cost for retrofitting older apartment buildings with more than four units in the Bay Area is between $2.25 to $5 .00 per square foot, depending on the configuration of the existing apartment building. 6. The Caltrain corridor parallels El Camino Real in Redwood City, creating a transportation barrier between Fire Stations and many multi - family buildings located on the opposite side of the corridor. It is not uncommon for fire emergency responders to be delayed because of trains travelling the railway corridor. While several train “grade separations” (train overpass separated from v ehicular traffic) have helped relieve delays to some extent, there are several intersections where grade separations will not be constructed due to the existing right - of - way limitations. An Automatic Sprinkler System can help suppress a fire thus providing valuable time for people to escape and for emergency responders to reach the fire. 7. This ordinance requiring Automatic Sprinkler Systems for multi - unit residential buildings that do not already have them is reasonably necessary and serves the best interest of the community . ATTY/ORD.410/FIRE SPRINKLER ORD. # 2413 REV: 0 6 - 0 2 - 15 PT FORMERLY MUFF # 705 Page 5 of 9