(The following letter was taken from the Ithaca Times dated October 2, 1997)
Fire Safety Overkill
I was greatly relieved to learn that Ithaca's incredibly complex and outrageously expensive fire code ordinance has been ruled illegal in a court of law. I own three buildings downtown with a total of nine units, and had not yet determined where I was going to obtain the estimated $7,000 needed to meet this new code. Faced with a missed deadline and rumors of heavy fines for noncompliance, I was definitely in a tough situation.
If the city feels the need to force Ithaca property owners to exceed state fire code requirements, then I strongly feel that the city should provide the funds. Certainly, there are some wealthy landlords in Ithaca, but many of us are struggling to make ends meet. Utilities, taxes, and the cost of repairs have increased steadily, while rents have remained stagnant and the vacancy rate has risen sharply. My four-unit building needs a new roof, and I have been doing my best without much success to save for that. I would like to know where the city council members expect middle class property owners to find the many thousands of dollars needed to meet this extravagant new fire code.
I agree that hard-wired smoke detectors are a reasonable upgrade, although battery-operated detectors could be secured behind locking plastic boxes such as those used for thermostats to prevent tampering. However, the complex and expensive control panels, pull stations, horns and flashing lights are overkill in small buildings, especially when one considers the emergency egress requirements already in effect. I strongly urge the city council to reconsider the new ordinance, and limit it to hardwired or secured battery smoke detectors, rather than spend our tax dollars appealing the Judge's proper decision.
I have had two licensed electricians look at one of my three-unit buildings, and neither one was certain what was needed to meet the new and absurdly complex code requirements, but they knew it would be expensive. Both of them thought it was overkill.
Please allow Ithaca property owners to spend our hard-earned money sensibly and where it is needed. Not all of us are millionaires.
Henry H. Hansteen