ORLAND PARK, Ill., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Early this morning, a fire tore through a home in an unincorporated area of southwest suburban Mokena, killing an elderly couple before they were able to escape their home. In addition, a Mokena police officer was treated for smoke inhalation after trying to rescue the occupants.
Tom Lia, executive director of the nonprofit Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, says the elderly victims fell in the high-risk category for fire deaths. In addition, the male victim used oxygen tanks and had mobility issues that prevented him from escaping.
"This fire is a tragic reminder of the need for fire sprinklers in homes. National studies have shown that people tend to feel the safest in their homes, however, homes are where the greatest fire risk is present," says Lia.
In fact, the latest editions of the national model building codes from the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association require fire sprinkler protection in all new homes. In Illinois, ninety-four communities have adopted these codes or similar fire sprinkler ordinances to protect residents from home fires.
In Will County, where Mokena is located, however, the Will County Board voted on May 15 to update to the ICC's 2012 International Residential Code, but removed the requirements for fire sprinklers in new construction homes. That means that all new construction single-family homes and townhomes built in unincorporated areas of Will County, such as where today's fire occurred, will lack the fire sprinkler protection that is now recommended by the nation's top building code officials.
"When a new home is eventually rebuilt on this lot in unincorporated Mokena, it will again lack fire sprinkler protection and be no safer, due to the decision by county officials to remove code requirements for fire sprinklers," states Lia.
About the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB)
NIFSAB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting progressive legislation, raising public awareness, and educating code officials and governmental policy makers by demonstrating the proven performance of fire sprinklers in saving both lives and property. For more info, visit www.firesprinklerassoc.org.
SOURCENorthern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB)
