Greek houses may be required to install sprinkler systems
NIU Building Services workers clean up the Lincoln Hall A-wing first floor after the sprinkler system activated in 2011. Interim Fire Chief Eric Hicks has proposed sprinkler systems be installed in local Greek residences.
September 19, 2012
City Council is considering requiring all Greek houses to have fire sprinklers installed by 2019.
The Greek Housing Fire Safety Act was proposed to the DeKalb City Council by the Fire Department. The act would require fire sprinklers be installed in Greek houses. On Jan. 1, 2011, the act became effective, but it is not officially required yet.
“Seven Greek housing units have already upgraded to sprinkler systems,” said Interim Fire Chief Eric Hicks.
Delta Gamma sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Alpha Phi sorority, Delta Zeta sorority, Chick Evans Scholars and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity have sprinkler systems installed.
Alpha Phi member Morgan Stotz, said over 50 girls live in her sorority’s house and she feels secure knowing there are fire sprinklers in every room.
“In case something goes wrong, we are protected,” Stotz said.
Other Greek organizations are taking precautions to practice fire safety.
Angel Ortiz, Pi Kappa Alpha member, said he feels safe even though his fraternity house does not have a sprinkler system installed. However, Ortiz said he would feel safer if he knew the house had sprinklers.
“We were taught about the obvious fire exits and we also had a fire marshal visit to inspect every room to make sure the fire code was being obeyed,” Ortiz said.
Under the Greek Housing Fire Safety Act, “Greek housing structure” means a structure providing housing for members of social fraternities or sororities. NIU currently has 44 Greek organizations and 26 of them are in either houses or apartments.
Hicks said the fire department is trying to propose two main questions to the DeKalb City Council:
“How many Greeks living together is considered group housing?” Hicks said. “And we have many Greeks whom are moving into apartment buildings under separate leases—do they require a sprinkler system, as well?”
Since the act does not have to be mandated until 2019 at the latest, Hicks said he recommended a few safety tips for the fraternities and sororities until they get sprinklers installed.
Fire extinguishers should be charged and smoke detectors regularly checked, Hicks said. The use of candles and space heaters should be avoided.
