By Lynne Klaft – Worcester Telegram

LUNENBURG— Can sprinkler alarm systems save lives?

Ask any firefighter and the unequivocal answer is yes.

State Rep. James B. Eldridge, D-Acton, plans to file a bill that will require automatic sprinkler systems in all housing for senior citizens.

“This bill is a direct response to the tragic fire at the Pearl Brook housing complex on May 10 in which Jeffrey Phillips, a resident, died,” Mr. Eldridge said at a news conference yesterday.

There are 35,000 units of housing for the elderly in the state and not all of them are required to have sprinkler systems, he said.

“I want to make sure that every unit has sprinklers. This is a common-sense approach that will ensure the safety of all our citizens,” said Mr. Eldridge.

On hand yesterday to support the bill were officials from the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts, Lunenburg Selectman Thomas A. Alonzo, Lunenburg Deputy Fire Chief Patrick A. Sullivan and the executive director of Leominster Housing Authority, Eugene Capoccia.

“Any sprinkler alarm system is helpful because it saves lives and any sprinkler bill has our support,” said Worcester Fire Chief Gerard A. Dio, who is president of the chiefs’ association.

“After 30 years fighting fires in Worcester, I have seen the need to protect the elderly and the young, the most vulnerable people in a fire situation.

“The elderly are not as quick and things happen, like leaving things on the stove. The need is there especially in multiple family developments,” said Chief Dio.

The chief described a fire in which an elderly woman burned to death while cooking in her kitchen.

“If a sprinkler system had gone off, she might have been saved. The housing she lived in had no sprinklers. Sprinklers are the quickest way to get water on a fire, to help contain a fire until we arrive,” he said.

Deputy Fire Chief Sullivan was at the Pearl Brook complex fire and said that the damage to the building would not have been as extensive, and people displaced, if the building had had sprinklers. The complex on White Street is administered by the Leominster Housing Authority.

The complex is slated to have repairs done on sidewalks, back stairs, porches and accesses to exterior doors.

According to Mr. Eldridge, the $600,000 in repairs will be started in early spring and will include installation of a sprinkler system for the 48 units.

“We have gotten a commitment from the state to do so, although we do not know exactly how much it will cost, yet,” said Mr. Eldridge.

Mr. Capoccia estimates the cost of installing sprinklers at $3,400 per unit, but added that discounts for multiple units could reduce that.

“After installation the cost for insurance could drop dramatically and help to pay for it over the long term. This just makes good sense,” said Mr. Capoccia.

Mr. Eldridge said funding for the installation of sprinklers in housing for the elderly will come from a $500 million affordable housing bond that the state has committed to.

“This bond would allow $20 million for the sprinkler systems and we are working with DHCD and folks like Gene (Capoccia) to figure out the costs,” he said.

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