Returning to the subject of fire safety in apartment buildings, the Sandy Springs City Council has updated its ordinances to require fire extinguishers in every unit and fire-suppression devices in every kitchen, in buildings without working sprinkler systems.
The city also will require fire-resistant paint for exposed and unprotected interior wood in such buildings, including attic areas; rapid-entry systems for emergency responders at all gated communities, and annual testing of private fire hydrants by certified hydrant contractors.
This summer, Sandy Springs banned wood-framed construction for future buildings taller than three stories and larger than 100,000 square feet.
Recent years have seen an increase in structure fires in multi-family rental buildings, with the more damaging blazes involving older apartments, said Sandy Springs Fire Chief Keith Sanders. “These changes to our ordinances add needed fire safety tools to help prevent a tragic event from occurring,” he said.
Information: bit.ly/2gGQ3oi
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