A bill to remove oversight on school construction projects could impact student safety in the future, according to some fire chiefs in the state.
Proponents of HB 220 say the measure will remove a level of bureaucracy and allow districts to complete projects quicker and cheaper, but opponents, including some fire officials, don’t want corners to be cut when it comes to safety.
“It’s some bad legislation, probably with some good intent,” said Alabaster Fire Chief Tim Love.
Love is also the head of the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs. The group is joining several other construction organizations in opposing HB 220.
“We are concerned with your large scale issues, say a renovation and we have a fire protection system that fails or we have some sort of building collapse because there is a structural issue,” said Love.
Love said the proposal allows two year schools and community colleges to plan and construct a building without requiring a third party inspection or plans review.