ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 29, 1996 TAG: 9611290095
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C7 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: BILL BASKERVILL ASSOCIATED PRESS
1991 REGULATIONS did not require retrofitting of college dormitories, a state safety official says,``because we did not have any fire problems at that time.''
In 1990, the state ordered the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in all nursing homes after a fire killed 12 residents at the Hillhaven home in Norfolk.
During the four years after that, hospitals, hotels, motels and adult homes were added to the list - but not college dormitories.
In Virginia, there are 13 high-rise dormitories on seven college campuses without sprinkler systems. They house about 7,200 students.
Sprinklers are especially important in high-rises because they house more students and take longer to evacuate, fire safety experts say.
In 1991, the state mandated sprinklers for all new dorms over four stories. Existing dormitories were not included, although the state had ordered that smoke detectors and alarm systems to be installed seven years earlier.
``We did not require retrofitting of dormitories ... because we did not have any fire problems at that time,'' said Jack Proctor, who oversees fire policy and planning at the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The DCHD is the agency responsible for fire safety in Virginia.
The fact that taxpayers would foot the bill for installing sprinklers in existing dormitories at state colleges had nothing to do with their exclusion, Proctor said.
``The thing is, I can't recall us ever considering dormitories,'' he said. ``The reason for it is the General Assembly told us which ones to retrofit.''
It would cost an estimated $4.2 million to retrofit the 12 high-rise dorms at state-supported colleges. The figure is based on total square footage multiplied by $2.50 per square foot.
Sprinkler systems probably will not be required in existing dorms until there is a fatal dormitory fire, said Howard Summers Jr., state fire marshal from 1979 to 1992.
``The point is you got to lose some lives before you get some sprinklers,'' he said.
Some of the high-rise dorms have sprinklers in boiler rooms or storage areas on bottom floors, but none has sprinklers in living quarters.
Dormitories with fire safety standpipes that bring water to the highest floors can be fitted fairly easily with sprinklers, Summers said. Most of the high-rise dorms have standpipes.
Sprinklers are more tamper-resistant than fire alarms and smoke detectors. ``If somebody damages a [sprinkler] head, you would know who did it because he's going to be soaking, dripping wet,'' said Summers, who retired four years ago after 38 years in the fire marshal's office. Anti-tamper devices are required for the system's main valve.
Fire broke out in Longwood College's twin 10-story dormitories in 1987 and 1991. Sixteen students were injured in the first blaze.
The college said last week it had appointed a fire safety task force to address the sprinkler issue. ``The health, safety and welfare of our students is of ultimate importance,'' said Longwood President Patricia Cormier.
Grover Smiley, president of the Virginia Fire Prevention Association, said, ``The universities owe it to the parents who pay the bills to guarantee some reasonable safety for their children.''
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB