Support sought for sprinkler bill
The lack of an automatic fire suppression system in the Rhode Island nightclub fire last winter that killed 99 was another tragic reminder of how fire sprinklers can save lives.

The major impediment to having fire sprinklers installed more often in public and private buildings is the cost - but a bill in Congress will attempt to free up more money to install sprinklers.

House Resolution 1824 would amend IRS tax provisions to improve the tax advantages of installing automatic fire sprinkler systems. The bill, introduced by Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pennsylvania), points out that fires caused $8.9 billion in property damage in the U.S. in 1991, and the use of sprinklers brought about a 43-70 percent reduction in property damages.

The bill also pointed out that there is actually a financial disincentive for most homeowners and building owners to install fire suppression systems because of the low rate of return on investment.

The solution in HR 1824 would shorten the period of time it would take a building owner to depreciate the cost of installing a sprinkler system. The owner would thus get a bigger tax break over a shorter period of time - increasing the incentive to install sprinklers.

For more information and to write a letter to your representative encouraging passage of H.R. 1824, go to www.nfsa.org and click on the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act in the upper right corner.

Nine willful violations in Ford Field death
Thomasios Painting and Brockman Equipment face a total of $556,000 in proposed penalties after a nine-month investigation into the death of a painter at Ford Field on July 30, 2002.

Painter Gjon Gojcaj was killed when his man-lift fell into the stadium's lower ring of seats as he was painting stadium trusses. One of the man-lift's outriggers collapsed, causing his 120-foot fall.

A total of 24 violations, including nine willful, are alleged against the two companies.

"It became apparent from our MIOSHA investigation that each of these two companies abrogated (its) own safety and health responsibilities and relied on the other company to protect the workers," said Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services Director David Hollister.

Construction future hinges on economy
New U.S. construction starts in April were unchanged from March at an adjusted annual rate of $477 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, But overall construction activity has dropped about 4.5 percent since January, and the average level in 2002.

"It's true that the construction industry lost momentum during the early months of 2003, but so far the retreat can be characterized as a measured pullback," said Robert A. Murray, vice president of construction affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge. "April's stability is a good sign that the slowdown will continue to be mild."

Whether an "up and down pattern" for various construction sectors "can turn into a more sustained upward trend will depend upon how much strengthening the economy is able to show over the next couple of quarters," Murray said.

Regionally, the Midwest's construction activity was down 11 percent from levels a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill.