Do You Need Sprinklers in Your House? (Part 2)
by Dale Tyler

This is the second of a two-part article about the proposed government mandate to install sprinklers in houses undergoing certain types of remodeling. Part 1 can be found here.

On Jan. 3, 2011, the Mission Viejo City Council will have the second reading of an ordinance designed to require homeowners in Mission Viejo to install sprinklers in their entire house, if they add on a certain number of square feet or percentage of floor area. It is interesting that the initial discussion of this item took place after most of the public had gone home and the Council members were so tired they could not muster a coherent discussion. So much for open government at the hands of the manipulative city staff and City Attorney.

Hopefully, the Council will have a productive discussion on Jan. 3. In my view they should conclude, as I have, that government should not meddle in this area.

In Part 1, I talked about the proper role of government and some of the technical arguments for and against installing fire sprinklers in a residence. The fundamental issue is who is better able to determine if a homeowner should install sprinklers in their own home. Every homeowner is concerned about their family's safety in their home. We all want our families to be protected from risks as much as reasonably possible. At the same time, most of us do not have unlimited money to spend on safeguarding our family. We take risks every day, like driving to the store or work. We live in an area prone to earthquakes. These risks and others are considered acceptable tradeoffs by most of us.

Yet, we hear the absolutism of the Orange County Fire Authority and others supporting sprinklers when they say, “even if it saves only one house, it is worth it.” That's because they aren't paying for it and don't suffer the loss of other choices one might have, had the money not been spent on sprinklers.

Fire sprinklers should be a family's choice, not a government mandate. It is your safety, after all. You should be the one to decide if the cost of installing fire sprinklers is warranted by the actual reduction in risk to your family and property. The problem is that the data supplied by the government is false and/or misleading. They deliberately understate the costs and risks while overstating the benefits.

The best example of understating the costs is their very low cost estimates for retrofit installation of sprinklers. They do this by using such inferior materials such as plastic pipe and making unreasonable simplifications on the means of installation, such as ignoring cathedral ceilings. Plastic pipe has a history of failures in domestic water use. There have been two widespread recalls of plastic pipe used in houses that leaked and caused damage and replacement costs that, in the aggregate, likely would have dwarfed the possible benefits of fire sprinklers to those homes. Ask any master plumber what type of material he or she would use for domestic water in their own home. In my experience, almost everyone would choose copper tubing, which is what most of you already have installed going to every faucet and fixture in your home. However, the pro-sprinkler studies use the inferior plastic pipe in the cost estimates, because it is much less expensive to install. Unfortunately, when it leaks and destroys the ceilings and furnishings in your house, it will cost more.

One way the pro-sprinkler studies overstate the benefits is by taking credit for a reduction in fatalities and injuries in homes with sprinklers. In fact, properly operating smoke detectors will alert a home’s occupants that there is a fire and give them plenty of time to evacuate. Smoke detectors are inexpensive and effective at protecting lives. They cost less than 1/100 of what a sprinkler system would and give much the same protection. In some cases a smoke detector would be even more effective than a sprinkler system in saving lives. Take the case of a smoldering fire that does not produce much heat, but fills the house with noxious smoke. The smoke detectors would alert the occupants to evacuate, while the sprinklers might not even operate until it is too late. This is one of the hazards of installing sprinklers. Occupants might think that the sprinklers would protect them in all cases, when there are cases where sprinklers are useless. A very interesting omission in pro-sprinkler studies is a lack of a controlled study where only working smoke detectors were used instead of sprinklers to determine the incremental effect, if any, of sprinklers on saving lives.

Pro-sprinkler advocates also point to the potential reduction in property damage if a sprinkler extinguishes a fire, especially when no one is home to turn in an alarm. This might be their strongest argument, except that fire insurance is designed to nearly eliminate the financial risks to the homeowner if their property is damaged or destroyed. It is true that fire sprinklers, by isolating the damage to a portion of the house, might save “irreplaceable” items. However, it seems to me that almost nothing is both irreplaceable and essential, except human life. Important papers and photos can be copied and stored elsewhere. Art and keepsakes can be destroyed by fire, but also by earthquakes and the water from the fire sprinklers. Fire sprinklers can also cause extensive damage when they discharge in an unattended house. They do not shut themselves off when the fire goes out, so they keep pouring water into the house until someone comes home or a neighbor notices water pouring out from under the doors. The house might be saved, but much of the contents could be destroyed.

In Part 1 of this article, I made some suggestions about how this issue might be dealt with without a government mandate. It turns out that at least a couple of suggestions are already in place. The OCFA does not charge any fees for plan checks and inspections on installations of fire sprinklers. This is a great start on encouraging people to voluntarily install fire sprinklers. The city and county could do more by eliminating any increase in assessed valuation for the cost of sprinklers, such as is done for solar electric installations today. Private insurance companies are providing a small discount, in the range of 5 percent to 10 percent on homeowner's insurance premiums. If sprinklers are really a cost-effective way of reducing fire losses, then these discounts should be much higher. Perhaps there is a reason they are not higher.

The bottom line is that the government cannot and should not tell us how to safeguard our homes and families. I urge the Mission Viejo City Council to reject the OCFA-sponsored law that would require the installation of fire sprinklers in existing homes. Please contact the City Council by way of the City Clerk cityclerk@cityofmissionviejo.org to express your concerns. You might also ask them to encourage voluntary installation of fire sprinklers by exempting the costs of sprinkler installations from all taxes and fees.

Tea Party Patriot Sends Alert

Last week, Tea Party Patriot Carolyn Guillot issued an alert regarding Governor-elect Jerry Brown’s upcoming budget proposal. Guillot is asking everyone to hold state representatives accountable to Tea Party principles on taxes and spending. She says representatives should

1. Vote NO on extending the “temporary tax increases” (to end July 1)
2. Vote NO on any new taxes
3. Vote YES on the governor’s proposed spending cuts
4. Hold strong – unless they want their heads on a stick, as John & Ken would say

The Dec. 29 L.A. Times article by Shane Goldmacher describes Brown’s tax plan: 

Gov.-elect Jerry Brown is laying the groundwork for a budget plan that would couple deep cuts to state services, including university systems and welfare programs, with a request that voters extend temporary tax hikes on vehicles, income and sales that are set to expire next year.

The blueprint Brown will unveil when he takes office early next month also is expected to take aim at several tax breaks and subsidies that have been fiercely guarded by the business lobby in Sacramento, according to people involved in budget discussions with the incoming administration.

Among the breaks are multibillion-dollar incentives for redevelopment projects and hundreds of millions of dollars of "enterprise zone" credits meant to encourage investment in blighted neighborhoods. Also targeted is a recent change to state business tax formulas that has saved corporate California roughly $1 billion.

The combination of austere spending and extended tax hikes is designed to confront both parties and their allied interest groups with painful choices that Brown says are necessary to truly resolve the state's massive budget problems. He intends to take swift action, using the political capital of a new governor to confront a deficit that could easily subsume his governorship.

To read the entire article, go to http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/29/local/la-me-budget-20101229

The OC Register published a similar account on Dec. 30: http://totalbuzz.ocregister.com/2010/12/30/brown-wants-tax-hike-on-june-ballot/46268/

Council Agenda for January 3

The council will hold its first meeting of 2011 on Jan. 3. The city’s new mayor, Dave Leckness, will give opening remarks during presentations.

The council will discuss a $79,000 contract with MCE Consultants for design of a dog park (Item 12). This figure, for design only, is approximately the same amount to design and build a dog park in Laguna Niguel.

Other Jan. 3 agenda items include a public hearing (Item 16), with a staff recommendation to require the installation of fire sprinklers in home remodels. On December 6, 2010, the Mission Viejo City Council considered a modification to the city's building codes that would require homeowners to add fire sprinklers throughout their home if they make changes to their house, such as a room addition. This blog had a article on December 11 discussed the overreaching aspects of such a requirement and also in an article this week.

Under Old Business (Item 17), the council will hear a presentation about the OCTA Alicia Parkway traffic light synchronization project. Throughout the city’s history, various staff members alternately have claimed the city’s traffic lights are already coordinated or that lights cannot be coordinated because pedestrians disrupt the flow whenever they cross a street.

Under New Business (Items 18 through 20), council members will nominate and appoint members to various city commissions, and the mayor will appoint representatives to such agencies as the Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies, Measure M and the OC Fire Authority.

Councilwoman Rhonda Reardon is proposing a change in council meeting procedures to allow members of the public to pull items from the consent calendar (Item 27). This motion is supported by this blog as a step toward improving public participation and fostering open government.

Councilman Frank Ury is proposing that the council stop audio taping closed-session meetings (Item 28). This blog opposes Ury’s motion. Taping of meetings is a good practice to deter illegal secrecy. Taping began in 2000 after former council majority members (Sherri Butterfield, Susan Withrow and Bill Craycraft) were found guilty of violating the Brown Act during a closed-session meeting.

Non-government Events this Week

To balance the attempted takeover by the nanny state, here’s a sampling of activities that are not funded by taxpayers.

Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching (ongoing activities), 34675 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, (949) 496-5794, call for prices: whale watching, harbor cruises, sport fishing, 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., http://www.danawharf.com

“Focus on Figures,” Sandstone Gallery, Howard Hitchcock's art display through Jan. 3, "Dumi Dumi" by Gretchen Beck and other displays. Free. 384A N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-6775, http://www.sandstonegallery.com

“Build Your Own Sea Urchin with Sean Duffy,” Jan. 9, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Laguna Art Museum California Gallery, workshop for children of all ages, $25 fee covers one child and one adult, call in reservation to (949) 494-8971, ext. 207, Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://www.lagunaartmuseum.org

“Joshua Elias,” through Jan. 7, oil painting exhibit, Brett Rubbico Gallery, Free. 361 Old Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, (949) 515-5102, http://www.brettrubbicogallery.com

“John Paul Jones,” through Jan. 23, the late UC Irvine professor and influential artist is featured in this exhibit. $12 to $15, Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://www.lagunaartmuseum.org

“Hershey Felder’s Great American Songbook,” through Jan. 31, star of the current "Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein" leads a sing-along of American songs, $40 to $60, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

“Specters of Culture: Argentinean Post-Dictatorship Art,” through Jan. 7, artists Sebastian Chillemi and Pablo Salvada display their work in the United States for the first time. Free. Founders Hall Art Gallery, second floor, (949) 480-4081, http://www.soka.edu

Holiday Ice Rink, through Feb. 21, enjoy this outdoor skating rink, open for an extended holiday season. Call or check the website for prices. 71 Fortune Drive, (949) 748-8280, http://www.skatespectrum.com

The Scoop on Patch.com

Pete Schelden, editor of Mission Viejo’s newest blog, the Patch (http://missionviejo.patch.com), describes his background: “I’ve been covering news since high school in one form or another, which means I have about 15 years of schooling and practical application of the art of gathering and reporting the news. I worked for the OC Register for 2 1/2 years covering San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach and Aliso Viejo, and now I’m fully committed to Mission Viejo’s news needs.”

Schelden’s bio on Patch’s website states his hometown is Boulder City, Nevada, and his birthday is Dec. 8. He says, “At some time or another I've lived in Costa Mesa, San Clemente, Long Beach, Yucaipa, Escondido and Banning, and now I live in Mission Viejo. I spent 10 years in Nevada, too, and split my time pretty equally between the southern part of the state near Las Vegas and the more northerly quarters near Reno. Reno is where I got my bachelor's degree, from the University of Nevada's Reynolds School of Journalism. Later, I got a master's degree in English literature, with a focus on 18th-century British writing.”

What are his political beliefs? Shelden responds, “?My politics are pretty complicated, and they've changed from time to time. When I was 18, I wasn't happy with either Democrats or Republicans, and I first registered to vote as a Libertarian. Some of the values of my youth are what directed me into journalism in the first place. I want to make sure people who hold power are responsible and ethical, and that they consider the needs of the people they serve before considering their own interests.? Now, I'm an independent voter, and I've voted for candidates from both major parties at different times. The most important thing to me is that a political idea makes sense, does more good than harm, and helps improve society.”

About his religion, Shelden says, “I was raised in the Calvary Baptist tradition, which as a church is one of the many Orange County contributions to Protestantism. I'm tolerant of all religions and have read bits and pieces of many of the major religious texts, including the Book of Mormon, the Bhagavad Gita, ?the Koran, the writings attributed to Confucius and others. I'm most familiar with the Bible, though, and I'm especially interested in the history and culture within which its many books were written.”

Shelden adds, “I like to read and love following the news, so I guess I'm in the right profession. I also like to listen to music, enjoy good food and the company of friends, but who doesn't? Mostly, I enjoy finding out what makes people tick. So, that's my story. And if you have one to tell, I hope you'll share it with me.”

Sheldon described Patch’s mission, “We aim to be an unbiased source of news and information for the community. And we want to run fun, interesting columns from people with diverse viewpoints around the community. Patch.com is a new way to learn more about, and participate in, what’s going on near you, in towns and neighborhoods across the United States.

”Our content is created by full-time, professional local journalists, photographers, and videographers, along with residents who want to participate in discussions, post information and announcements, and get involved in their communities.

”Featuring comprehensive and trusted local news and information as well as user interaction and engagement between business owners and consumers, Patch aims to be the most helpful local online news and information platform, by merging technology with professional journalism and user participation.

”Patch is now in over 600 communities in 20 states, and it hired more journalists in the United States than any other company in 2010.

”Warren Webster is the president of Patch Media. Brian Farnham is the editor-in-chief. With a small operational team in New York City and nearly 900 editors coast to coast, Patch is poised to become the largest local online news platform available in the country.”

The Buzz

Happy New Year! And Happy 725 New Laws for residents of California. Check out a site that lists 55 pages of new California laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2011: http://leginfo.ca.gov/pdf/BillsEnactedReport2010.pdf

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According to the Dec. 31 edition of Saddleback Valley News, not much happened in Mission Viejo during 2010. Among the highlights listed by SVN was a car wash at city hall.

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Included in SVN’s Dec. 31 article, “A glance back at Mission Viejo in 2010,” were a graduation ceremony at Saddleback College and the renaming of a city park. President George W. Bush visited Saddleback Church, but wait – that’s in Lake Forest. On page 2 of the same issue, the Saddleback Valley News Staff still says Niyaz Pirani is Mission Viejo’s news reporter. Pirani’s last day at SVN (and the OC Register) was Oct. 8. Pirani has switched publications, and he now contributes articles to Patch.com about food he doesn’t like.

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ACT for America leader Bruce Mayall of Mission Viejo forwarded information about a widely circulated spoof, “A Tale of Two States” In the original story California’s Governor-elect Jerry Brown is compared with Arizona’s governor. The fictional account of Brown’s dog being attacked by a coyote should have mentioned Texas Governor Rick Perry instead of the Arizona governor. Mayall sent information from A.R. to ACT’s email distribution: “Actually, it was Texas Governor Perry who shot the coyote while walking his dog on April 27, 2010. He used a Ruger .380 ACP equipped with a laser sight. He fired one shot, a hollow point which probably cost less than 50 cents. Perry has a CCW permit and often carries, as he knows there are rattlesnakes and other dangerous varmints out there. His security detail was not with him. And this is why we should be permitted to obtain CCW permits here in O.C.!”

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From South Orange County Republican Assembly President Craig Alexander, “Hello everyone and Happy New Year! This e-mail is a reminder of our next SOCRA meeting on Thurs., Jan. 6, 2011, at Sarducci's Capistrano Depot, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA  92675; 949-493-9593 (right at the railroad station). Dinner is at 5:30 p.m., and those who attend the dinner will receive a 10-percent-off discount for your entree. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. As usual, you do not need to attend the dinner to attend the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

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On Jan. 11, three OC County Supervisors will take the oath of office. A reception beginning at 8:30 a.m. will precede the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Supervisors John Moorlach, Shawn Nelson and Pat Bates will be sworn into office in the Board Hearing Room, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701. The announcement was issued by the County of Orange, (714) 834-5400.