The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Illinois Church School Seeks Sprinkler Exemption
KEN MANSON
Chicago Tribune
St. Hubert School in Hoffman Estates wants an exemption so it does not have to pay more than $500,000 to install a fire prevention sprinkler system.
The Village Board this month granted an extension to the end of 2013 to comply with the local ordinance that requires commercial buildings, condominiums and private schools to install sprinkler systems by Dec. 31.
The deadline extension "doesn't really help us any. They're postponing our problem for three years," said the Rev. Robert Rizzo, pastor of St. Hubert Church.
The pastor said he would prefer the village amend the ordinance so it does not apply to schools with one level and more than one exit to the outside.
The single-story St. Hubert School at 255 Flagstaff Lane was built in the 1960s and has an outside door to every classroom. Students can exit the building within 75 to 90 seconds in the event of a fire, the pastor told trustees last year when they discussed a possible exemption. Rizzo said this month he will talk to the school's trustees and Archdiocese again about asking the village for an exemption. Village President William McLeod said the board approved the extension because the economy could make it tough for some buildings and schools to comply by Dec. 31. Rizzo told trustees last year the cost would be $569,000 for a sprinkler system, new ceiling tiles and lighting, and removal of asbestos. Rizzo said this month he does not know whether the cost has gone up or down, but the parish has a $4.2 million debt for renovation of the church and ministry center but has pledges for only half that amount.
St. Hubert has 535 students this year, down from 561 last year, the pastor said.
Of the 628 businesses and non-residential buildings in Hoffman Estates, 497 have complied with the 1996 ordinance requiring sprinkler systems, Fire Chief Robert Gorvett said.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Tribune Company
October 21, 2009
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
Doing the math, $500,000/500 kids(+/-) = $333.33 per child per year(for 3 years)/180 school days = $1.85 per school day per student for 3 years. (Give up Dunkin Donuts, smoking or cable tv, or car pool). Public education is free and if you want to pay more to send your child to a private school (with or without a voucher), it must be for some very good reason(s). Perhaps you want a better education for your child. Then again, if the parents don't think that their child's safety is worth an additional $1.85 per day for 3 years...
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
-
Of all the places that need them this is certainly one of them...How can they in their right mind request an exemption....having more than one exit...?? Big deal this is a basic building code....even I know this much....LOL... And yes pastor....schools and churches DO burn...Paul
-
Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on
-
The Village Board this month granted an extension to the end of 2013 to comply with the local ordinance that requires commercial buildings, condominiums and private schools to install sprinkler systems by Dec. 31.
Are all of the public schools sprinklered?
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
Rizzo told trustees last year the cost would be $569,000 for a sprinkler system, new ceiling tiles and lighting, and removal of asbestos.
Removal of asbestos?? Seems this church and school has more issues than just the lack of a sprinkler.
-
Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
-
Fire supression by Faith?
Great job on the dollar per kid breakdown, jack!
I think I would be worried about the rest of the problems they DIDN'T list!
-
Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on
-
Sounds like the most expensive part of that renovation would be removing the asbestos. While the asbestos is relativley harmless left alone, it becomes a real problem once touched and dusted into the atmoshphere. Nevertheless, it needs to be removed.
Also, if the board was to grant an exemption to this one particular school, how many other's would line up asking for exemptions not only for sprinker systems but other building codes as well.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
