Northern Illinois Communities Update Fire Safety Ordinances

Aug. 9, 2005
NFPA 13-D single family ordinance makes advances in Chicago area

Selling fire sprinkler systems? Then you'll love to hear the news that the village of Buffalo Grove, Ill., a suburb to Chicago, has stepped up its fire codes.

The municipality is now the 50th in Illinois that requires fire sprinkler systems in all new construction of commercial properties and townhomes.

The ordinance was a long time coming. After more than 2-1/2 years of ordinance changes and discussion, the community has finally endorsed the ordinance.

It wasn't a week earlier that another Chicago-area community, Bedford Park, also passed a fire sprinkler law. Bedford Park's law is applicable to all forms of new construction, including single family homes which are not included in the Buffalo Grove ordinance. The city is using the NFPA 13-D single family ordinance in regards to fire sprinkler's in new homes.