[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE FIRE SPRINKLER INCENTIVE ACT

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                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Fire 
Sprinkler Incentive Act, which will create expedited tax incentives for 
property owners to install automatic fire sprinkler systems.
  Four years ago tragedy struck Rhode Island when a fire tore through 
the Station nightclub in West Warwick. That fire, which killed 100 
people and injured 200 more, could have been prevented if fire 
sprinklers had been installed throughout the building. We all learned a 
very hard lesson on the importance of installing fire protection 
equipment--in our homes, our workplaces, our schools and recreational 
buildings. But with a renewed focus on installing fire sprinklers and 
other safety devices, we truly can prevent a tragedy like the one in 
West Warwick from ever occurring again.
  The legislation I am introducing today will amend the Internal 
Revenue Code to provide an incentive to business owners for 
retrofitting existing buildings with life-saving sprinklers. 
Specifically, this legislation will reduce the tax depreciation time 
for retrofitting sprinklers in nonresidential real property from 39 
years to only five.
  Since January of this year 157 have died nationwide in fires where 
three or more people were killed, with over 50 percent of the 
fatalities being children. This is simply an unacceptable reality that 
could easily be changed with the installation of simple, lifesaving 
technology. The National Fire Protection Association has no record of a 
fire killing more than two people in a public assembly, educational, 
institutional or residential building with a complete and fully 
operational automatic fire sprinkler system.
  Unfortunately, due to the high cost of installing these safety 
measures, property owners have faced tremendous financial burdens when 
considering the addition of sprinkler systems. Some states, including 
my home state of Rhode Island, have passed stricter fire codes 
requiring the installation of more sprinklers and alarms. While I 
applaud these efforts, the unfortunate reality is that many business 
owners simply cannot afford to comply. That is why my legislation is 
designed to provide a meaningful financial incentive for property 
owners, reducing any cost burdens they may incur, while significantly 
improving public safety throughout our country.
  The need for enhanced fire safety incentives is certainly not new. In 
fact, similar legislation was introduced in both the 108th and 109th 
Congresses, where it garnered over 140 cosponsors each time. Together, 
we can make a tremendous impact by providing a financial incentive to 
install sprinklers in every office, restaurant, and nightclub in the 
country. It is my strong hope that my colleagues will join me in 
supporting and quickly passing this important measure, before tragedy 
strikes another community.

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