If new legislation passes, NIU might have to spend a couple million dollars to install sprinklers in the residence halls.

House Bill 4361, which will go to the Illinois legislature during this session, would require all Illinois universities and colleges to install sprinkler systems in their residence halls.

State Representative Donald Moffitt, who represents the 74th district, co-sponsored the bill.

“In high rises, the threat to the students is smoke inhalation,” Moffitt said.

About one student is lost per year in dorm fires, and there are about 60 to 70 injuries per year, Moffitt said.

Rueben Nelson, assistant fire chief for the DeKalb Fire Department, said sprinklers are required for high-rise buildings, but not for the Stevenson and Grant residence halls.

If a fire was to occur in any of the residence halls, the structure of the building would not be destroyed, Nelson said.

“The concrete structure and the steel cannot burn, only the contents in the building,” he said.

Nelson said he doesn’t recall a fire in the residence halls in which a student lost his or her life.

However, he said there have been times when it would have been beneficial to have a sprinkler system.

Moffitt said he is stressing sprinklers be put in the residence halls because students live and sleep there.

During the 1980s, sprinkler systems were required in high rise buildings. NIU’s residence halls were built primarily in the 1960s.

David Dunlap, coordinator of marketing and public relations, said none of the residence halls, with the exception of Stevenson Towers, has sprinklers. Stevenson only has sprinklers on the first floor near the kitchen and cafeteria, he said.

The cost of adding sprinklers depends on the type of sprinklers and how they’re put in, said Donald Teske, vice president of Global Fire Protection, a contractor for sprinklers.

“It depends on the nature of installment,” Teske said.

The water supply, dimensions of the building and the pipes all are taken into consideration, he said.

Nelson said he estimated it would take a couple million dollars to install sprinklers in the residence halls.

Moffitt, who is also a part of the fire caucus in the legislature, said part of the legislature is helping universities with the finances by providing loans. If the legislation passes, he estimates that students would have to pay an additional $100 for the sprinkler installation.

Dunlap said a similar rule was passed in Pennsylvania several years ago that required residence halls to have sprinklers. He said it costs the schools about $300 million.

He also said the legislature should consider looking at other ways to prevent residence hall fires.

“Thirty percent of residence hall fires are caused by alcohol abuse,” Dunlap said.

He also said the residence halls banned smoking because of the fire concern. Candles, most cooking appliances and halogen lamps also are prohibited in the residence halls.

Nelson said installing sprinklers would be the right step to take to promote fire safety. He said new codes usually come up as a response to tragedy.

Safety is a major concern of the residence halls, Dunlap said. He said they regularly check the fire alarms and equipment and have drills.

Moffitt said that he isn’t aware of any opposition to the proposal thus far.