From the Publishers Desk
DEPARTMENTS
Sprinklers Gain Approval In Business Community
It has taken years of effort, but we are beginning to hear echoes of hope as the fire service continues to urge the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in office buildings. Of course, the clincher to the safety pleas was the series of fatal hotel fires that showed people could—and did—die in buildings that were not supposed to have serious fires.
A couple of months ago, we heard of a bank in Texas that decided while its high-rise was under construction that sprinklers should be added.
In Arizona, another bank is planning to spend $1 million on a fire protection system for its 27-story building. The encouraging note is that an automatic sprinkler system is the major part of the protection package and sprinklers are not required by the local code because this building was built before 1976.
The tragedy is that people have to die to convince building owners that fire prevention systems are necessary. The credit side is that at least two hanks have an interest in fire-safe offices.
They were up to the running, but the cost of mobile homes transportation to the East Coast did them in—but only for a year. Those who read this column last month will know whom we are talking about—the Los Angeles County fire fighters and Los Angeles City policemen who planned to run a relay race from Vermont to California. Their objective? Run up some publicity to stomp out arson.
As a somewhat embarrassed Dick Friend, PIO for L.A. County Fire Department, explained the change in game plan, it was a matter of financial backing that became nonexistent. The money was to come from some sports types and in the ninth inning, they took a second look and called time out.
But all is not lost, Dick explained. The runners are now looking tentatively (that’s the word he used) to next spring—a season that has been linked with hope. The tentative hopes, Dick continued, are for the fire and police relay runners to start from the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the second Saturday in May—Fire Service Recognition Day. As they run into Sunday, they also will run into the first day of National Police Week, which makes a rather juxtaposition for publicity that is fair to both teams.
From Washington, the runners will head for Ohio and there they will pick up the route originally planned.
