Some high-rise office and residential buildings do not have sprinkler systems to suppress fires. Here in 2007, it's hard to believe that, but it's true.

The Huntington fire marshal's office has launched a program to inspect tall buildings for fire code deficiencies and to require owners to install sprinkler systems in buildings that need them.

The Emmons Jr. apartment building fire in January killed nine people. It hangs over all discussions of sprinkler systems and fire safety.

According to West Virginia law, all buildings that are six floors or 75 feet from the ground to the highest occupied floor are required to have sprinklers. But The Emmons Jr. did not have sprinklers because it was built in 1924, before the state fire code made any provisions for sprinkler systems. Had the Emmons Jr. had sprinklers, the outcome of the fire would have been different, Huntington Fire Chief Greg Fuller says.

The state fire code gives property owners 12 years to install sprinklers once they are notified that sprinklers are required. So far, city fire Marshal Dave Bias has notified the owner of one high-rise building of the need for sprinklers, and he plans to notify two more soon.

The clock on the 12 years starts running when the property owners are notified.

Installing sprinklers is a question of economics as much as it is a question of safety. Sprinklers are expensive, and requiring them to be installed in a short time frame could force landlords to close some high-rises. On the other hand, some property owners have found that sprinklers can reduce insurance costs and allow them to market buildings to customers who will only locate in buildings with sprinklers.

For some reason, the fire department has not maintained a list of buildings that should have sprinkler systems. That's why it has begun this new program.

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