Up-to-code sprinkler system could have saved condos
As fire authorities investigate the inferno that engulfed a building in the Gold Run apartment complex Friday morning, officials point to a lack of an automatic fire-extinguishing system as a possible reason for the flames spreading.
Assistant Fire Marshall, Jeff Long, of the Boulder Fire Department said that the extent of the fire could have “absolutely” been less devastating had proper fire sprinklers been in place.
Even though current Boulder municipal fire code requires the installation fire sprinklers in all newly erected buildings, the Gold Run apartment complex was built before the current fire code was in effect.
“When the (apartments) were built we didn’t have the code in place,” Long said.
Long said that the fire department can’t retroactively enforce fire code for older buildings. This is why older buildings are not required to have fire sprinklers.
“We can’t force property owners to spend $30,000 on upgrades,” Long said. “It just won’t fly.”
Junior history major Dan Brogan woke up Friday morning to the deafening sound of fire alarms. Brogan lived in the unit below the one that caught fire, and although his apartment was not damaged by the flames, it did suffer other damages. During the interview with Brogan and his roommates, a fire inspector walked up to inform Brogan of his apartment’s status.
“From what I can tell it’s mostly water damage,” the inspector told Brogan during the interview. “The apartment above you, though, is roasted. We can’t even go in there. We have to get braces before we can retrieve anything; we’re going to have security throughout the whole night”
Brogan said he heard the fire started after a tiki torch fell onto a propane tank in the apartment above his.
“I didn’t know these people, but it’s disappointing that I didn’t start a fire and now I’m homeless,” Brogan said.
The fire and water damage forced Brogan, an out-of-state student from Pennsylvania, to seek out friends for shelter. Brogan’s father is flying out to support his son.
Brogan said his professors are granting him extensions on papers he has due this week.
Boulder Fire Chief Larry Donner said that individual condominium owners are able to choose to update fire-extinguishing systems at any time, but that specific legislation must be passed to require such an update for buildings constructed before codes required fire-sprinkling systems.
“City council would have to pass an ordinance requiring a retrofit,” Donner said.
He said that adequate time would have to be provided for a retrofit to take place, should one ever been required.
The Division of Fire Safety currently requires a plan for installation of automatic fire-extinguishing systems before new construction permits are issued, according to section 105.7 of the Boulder Fire Prevention Code.
“I’m a believer in sprinkler systems in an apartment building,” Donner, said Friday. “It’s somewhere you assume your neighbors’ risks.”
Donner said only the building affected by Friday’s fire will be required to update equipment to adhere to current fire codes.
“In my tenure here, buildings have always required sprinkling systems,” Donner said, who has been with the department for 16 years.
Boulder Fire Safety Coordinator Sherry Kenyon said she thinks building contractors and the fire code are not at fault for the fire.
“Overall I don’t think anything was done wrong,” Kenyon said. “When they rebuild they will have to have sprinklers. We’re very progressive.”
Kenyon also said that all new buildings are inspected for fire codes and that fire codes can be enforced anywhere as they are written. This includes older buildings.
In January 2006, a fire initially displaced 75 residents from the campus-adjacent Gold Run Condominium complex, which is popular with CU students.
After the 2006 fire that portion of the complex was rebuilt under current fire code guidelines, including fire sprinklers in every unit.
However, this did not include the other buildings in the complex such as the building that went up in flames Friday morning.
Kenyon further advised on fire safety in off-campus student residences. She noted that all fireworks are illegal, students have to have fire alarms and that renter’s insurance, a bargain at around $150 a year, is a must.
“I want everyone to have a plan set out,” Kenyon said. “Boulder fire is very thankful that everyone got out (in Friday morning’s fire) and that nobody lost their life.”
Contact Campus Press Editors Brandon Springer at brandon.springer@thecampuspress.com, Jimmy Himes at james.himes@thecampuspress.com, and Vanna Livaditis at vanna.livaditis@thecampuspress.com
Do you live in Gold Run and have concerns about a lack of fire prevention or fire extinguishing systems in your apartment? If you or someone you know was affected by the Gold Run fire, contact Campus Press editor Jimmy Himes at james.himes@thecampuspress.com or (303) 669-1006.
