RESOLUTION NO. RS2003-4

A resolution requesting the state fire marshal and the Metropolitan fire marshal to study the feasibility of modifying the Fire Code provisions to require that all institutional facilities housing residents be equipped with automatic sprinkler systems, and requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to introduce and enact the necessary legislation to implement such a requirement.

WHEREAS, On September 25, 2003, a fire at the NHC Nashville Health Care Center on Patterson Street killed eight people and critically injured twenty others; and

WHEREAS, the NHC Nashville Health Care Center was not equipped with an automatic sprinkler system because the building was constructed prior to the adoption of the modern versions of the fire and building codes that require sprinkler systems in all new construction of such facilities; and

WHEREAS, automatic sprinkler systems have been proven to help contain fires and decrease the amount of smoke, thus reducing fire-related fatalities; and

WHEREAS, requiring all institutional facilities housing residents to install sprinkler systems would protect the safety of the residents by reducing the risks of future catastrophic fires in such facilities and would benefit the citizens of the Metropolitan Government and Davidson County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the state fire marshal and the Metropolitan fire marshal to study the feasibility of modifying the Fire Code provisions to require that all institutional facilities housing residents be equipped with automatic sprinkler systems, and requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to introduce and enact the necessary legislation to implement such a requirement.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the state fire marshal, to the Metropolitan fire marshal, and to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Eric Crafton, Jamie Isabel, Ludye Wallace, Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Brenda Gilmore, Rip Ryman, Edward Whitmore