SR0708 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0708 LRB103 35630 ECR 65704 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Home fires are the leading cause of fires in the U.S., affecting civilians and first responders; and

WHEREAS, According to data complied by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), of all civilian structure fire deaths, 78% occur in one- and two-family homes, with home fires causing $8.6 billion in direct property damage each year; and

WHEREAS, According to the NFPA, residential structure fires account for 63.7% of firefighter injuries; and

WHEREAS, According to the NFPA, regarding firefighter fatalities, 53% occur while fighting structure fires, and 82% occur while fighting fires at a residential dwelling; and

WHEREAS, Home fires are deadlier today than in the past as a result of an increase in the use of unprotected lightweight construction material, open floor plans, and abundant synthetic furnishings, and these dangers are amplified when the properties contain lithium ion batteries and other emerging technologies, making homes burn faster and causing them to become deadly in two minutes or less; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that home fire sprinklers could save thousands of lives each year if more were installed in homes; and

WHEREAS, Fire sprinklers are a proven and cost-effective means of protecting lives and property from the threat of fire; and

WHEREAS, Fire sprinklers offer the highest degree of fire protection and are critical in saving lives and property; and

WHEREAS, A room can be engulfed in flames in less than three minutes; however, fire sprinklers can control fire and deadly smoke, saving the lives of occupants and first responders; and

WHEREAS, Residential fires without a sprinkler system have caused 3,667 injuries and 967 fatalities in Illinois since 2007; and

WHEREAS, There have been only seven injuries and zero fatalities in residential fires with sprinkler systems in Illinois since 2007; and

WHEREAS, The inclusion of fire sprinklers in local building codes and in community risk reduction plans helps support fire service resources, staffing, and budgets; when new housing stock includes sprinklers, those homes become safer, improving communities and allowing fire service resources to be directed to those at highest risk; and

WHEREAS, Stronger state and federal support of home fire sprinkler education will help address confusion and anti-code negativity and will encourage fire service advocacy in support of home fire sprinkler installation; and

WHEREAS, More installation of fire sprinklers in new homes will directly and indefinitely protect and improve communities of every size; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the week of May 12 through May 18, 2024 as Home Fire Sprinkler Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to State Coordinator James Brown of the Illinois Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association.