Come to the meeting in the 345 Lobby starting at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, to learn more about the State Fire Marshal’s attempt to force Chicago high rise residential buildings to retrofit fire sprinklers. There will be information, addresses for protest letters, and on-the-spot letter writing.
A new state rule, mandated by the State Fire Marshall but requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), would require every pre-1975 high rise apartment and condominium building including landmarked buildings to be retrofitted with sprinklers. Existing single-family homes where more than half the area is renovated would also be required to install sprinklers. Mid-rise residential buildings of 4 or more stories or 11 or more units would be required to install fire alarm systems with pull stations.
We have 45 days from June 28 (or until August 8) to lodge protests against this devastating charge on our association. The costs associated with this are ruinous. They will cause foreclosures and abandonment in the city. One local condo has run figures for retrofitting and they came up with $25 million, costing from $20k to $55k per unit depending upon size.
Information and addresses will remain available at the front desk after the meeting. If there seems need for a further meeting, one will be announced for Thursday, July 25.
345 Fullerton Parkway 