City Council approves blowing money on study, instead of using money to clear roads

[Tik-Tok]

City to study mandatory residential sprinklers

In the wake of a massive fire that destroyed five Calgary homes, city council has asked for a study into the costs of mandatory sprinklers in every new home.

Ald. Bob Hawkesworth's motion, which was passed on Monday, calls for a feasibility study to be completed by December 2010.

"This is a great opportunity to improve the safety of residents, reduce the fire damage if a fire starts and it certainly makes a building far more safe for firefighters who are responding to a call," said Hawkesworth.

He raised the idea before five homes burned in the northwest neighbourhood of Citadel on Dec. 5, but Hawkesworth said the blaze underlines his motion.

The cause of those fires is still under investigation.

While Ald. Ric McIver agreed with the increased safety sprinklers bring for residents and firefighters, he questioned the costs of such a requirement.

"How much will this add to the price of a home?" said McIver on Monday. "I think [Hawkesworth] would agree with me — and he's been a pretty good supporter … and champion of affordable housing — and if we had $5,000 or $6,000 or whatever the tag is on the price of every new home I wonder how many more people will remain homeless as a result."

The Alberta government declined to include the sprinkler requirement in new houses in its amendments in 2008 to the provincial building and fire codes.

[Tik-Tok]

So instead of admitting they've done a shite job in the road clearing department, they plan to pass their mistake on to future home buyers?

Although in theory, sprinklers would be great in peoples homes, I don't think it would do that well in practice

Shoddy workmanship would lead to many leaks/damage. Access to water lines in your home would be hard to do.
Water lines would have to run in your ceiling, which can easily get below freezing in this kind of weather, leading to bursting pipes. These are just a few problems off the top of my head.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

[revelations]

Ya good luck with that. Talk about a knee-jerk reaction.

[SJW]

What do you all expect from a council of no talent ass clown morons.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
So instead of admitting they've done a shite job in the road clearing department, they plan to pass their mistake on to future home buyers?

Although in theory, sprinklers would be great in peoples homes, I don't think it would do that well in practice

Shoddy workmanship would lead to many leaks/damage. Access to water lines in your home would be hard to do.
Water lines would have to run in your ceiling, which can easily get below freezing in this kind of weather, leading to bursting pipes. These are just a few problems off the top of my head.

This. The water line frozing and what happens when the sprinklers do go off and now insurance still has to pay for recovery damages.

Sprinklers might or might not save the entire house, let's keep that in mind. (i.e. pending where the fire is started, cuz I'm 100% positive nobody is going to have a "sensor" in every single fuckin' room... so what if the fire gets started in little Johnny's room cuz he decides to light up a joint... by the time the fire spreads to a sensor area like the hallway, kitchen, family room, the house will still sustain damage)

Anyways, of course it's a good idea, but IMO not really effective. I'd rather go with all or nothing. Tell insurance I had a couple gold bars that got melted, million dollar cash in the matress, etc...

[Canmorite]

Have a link to the article?

[littledan]

How about proper clearance between houses and better exterior materials like brick instead of garbage vinyl siding...

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Canmorite
Have a link to the article?

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/sto...orth-code.html

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/sto...orth-code.html

Merry christmas.

[ekguy]

So stupid...Can't even fathom how stupid you'd have to be to think up something like this.

[revelations]

This is as smart as the mayor of Toronto calling for more gun control after the boxing day shoot out.

Really!!! The gang members shooting each other WILL promise to register their weapons!!!

[sxtasy]

Originally posted by littledan
How about proper clearance between houses and better exterior materials like brick instead of garbage vinyl siding...

exactly my thoughts. I will never buy a vinyl box of a house crammed between two other stick and vinyl boxes

[Kg810]

I don't see what all the fuss is about. How much money is actually being spent on this study to warrant you guys to have a rage over it?

Also, I believe The City has just approved an additional $2million for snow removal... so let's be happy instead of being little girls that want to rage at every little thing The City does?

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Kg810
I don't see what all the fuss is about. How much money is actually being spent on this study to warrant you guys to have a rage over it?

Also, I believe The City has just approved an additional $2million for snow removal... so let's be happy instead of being little girls that want to rage at every little thing The City does?

I don't normally complain about the city councils decisions (my only other 2 real complaints have been that ridiculously unnecessary bridge, and that they won't help find new land for RaceCity), but this is a moronic knee jerk reaction to a flaw in the system that THEY caused in the first place.

I'm willing to bet this study doesn't cost a penny less than $300g.

[mr2mike]

Easy solution to the frozen sprinklers... city will pass the bill that it's tapped off your hotwater tank and you need to have the water with a circulating pump.

What about a study on how many house fires happen in a major snow storm resulting in multiple houses burning down? 1 case = a need for everyone to fire proof with sprinklers?!?

How about another study on the reduction in theft and B&E's while the storm was on?

Another study on using sidewalk heaters for all the side streets and the cost.

[nonlinear]

did they say how much money the study would cost?

[Supa Dexta]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Easy solution to the frozen sprinklers... city will pass the bill that it's tapped off your hotwater tank and you need to have the water with a circulating pump.

Don't you then run the risk of scalding people, either rescue or people trapped inside?

[vengie]

Didn't those 5 homes burn down because the roads were horrendous and the fire dpt. was unable to get there in a timely manner due to that??

please correct me if I am wrong...

[oilerfan4lyfe]

^^ That was part of the problem - the strong winds also played a role in allowing the fire to spread quicker than it normally would have.