As Rhode Island and Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed a tax-incentive plan to encourage businesses to install fire sprinklers in more buildings, local officials say the move for Michigan may be too costly in the midst of a budget crisis.
Bob Cushman, a survivor from the Feb. 20 Rhode Island nightclub fire, which killed 99 people and injured more than 180, says the government actions are too late and the legislation should have been passed years ago.
The nightclub in that tragedy was not required to have sprinklers because of its small size.
In East Lansing, restaurants and bars with occupancies of more than 300 people, residential buildings more than three stories high, any building with more than 15,000 square feet and underground bars, restaurants or residential buildings are required to have sprinkler systems.
But there are exceptions to the rules, including places of worship, which aren't seen as much of a risk as other buildings.
"I would say it's a tax expenditure and those are not viewed favorably," said state Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing. "Now is not a good time to talk about tax expenditures."
Despite the cost of the plan, Bernero said he will discuss fire safety with local fire officials in the cities he represents, including East Lansing.
"We want to act prudently to fend off any disaster here, but we don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction," he said.
East Lansing Fire Marshall Bob Pratt said the states' plans would definitely increase security, but he also doesn't know if it's financially possible. He said 80 percent of fire related deaths occur in residencies - not in public buildings.
Bars such as The Landshark, 101 E. Grand River Ave., Rick's American Café, 224 Abbott Road, Harper's Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave., and Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave., are required to have sprinkler systems.
"Would it be ideal if every building in the United States became sprinkler ready - yes," he said. "But the devil's in the details. We're having huge financial problems as a city and a state and as a country."
Christian Dorsch, general manager for Harper's, said it should be mandatory for businesses to have sprinkler systems - but only if Congress is willing to give financial assistance for their installation.
"Sprinkler systems can't be that cheap," he said, adding throwing money at the problem wouldn't fix it.
An effort by staff and patrons needs to be made to improve security, he said.
"Providing safety is important because when you have 500 people it's letting them know where they need to go if something happens," he said.
Staff writer Allison Lucy and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
