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