As a professional firefighter, I want to weigh in on the recent discussion about sprinkler systems in the elementary school.
I am shocked to hear some of the community debating and questioning the requirements around sprinkler systems in schools. Specifically, whether or not sprinklers would be a requirement under a renovation option, and if there is a way to avoid the requirement with a phased renovation versus complete rebuild. There have also been some questions about the purpose of a sprinkler system, and presumptions that these are not intended to be lifesaving features.
The purpose of sprinkler systems is twofold. Although sprinklers are not intended to always knock down a fire in its entirety (though historically some have done so), their purpose is to keep a fire at bay in order to allow people enough time to evacuate a building and for the fire department to arrive to extinguish it. This includes people with accessibility issues like wheelchair use, teachers recovering from surgery, athletes on crutches, etc. They are also in place to help salvage a building, to whatever extent possible. Bottom line is that sprinkler systems save lives!
As per MGL Chapter 148 Section 26G, sprinkler installation is a requirement for major renovations to an existing building and any new building that is 7,500 or more square feet. This is a corner that can’t be cut. It is a need, not a want.
I know many of us, including myself, survived our childhoods without these kinds of modern safety measures. We were lucky not to have experienced a fire at school. We drank water from fountains that were untested and unmonitored and weren’t poisoned by lead. We weren’t affected by mold and asbestos in the walls of our classrooms. The list goes on—but we should consider ourselves lucky, because that won’t be the case for everyone. We should refrain from using survival of neglect as a justification for not providing modern safety and educational measures to our youth and community.
Edward Moussouris
Park Lane
