Pittsburgh City Council postponed a final vote Tuesday on a bill requiring sprinkler systems in high-rise buildings after several residents complained that costs would be overwhelming to owners of condominiums.
Under the bill, owners of all Pittsburgh buildings that are six stories or higher and lack sprinkler systems would have 13 years to install them or face a maximum penalty of $1,000 per day.
Deborah Knox, who owns a condominium in Squirrel Hill, said retrofitting her building on Munhall Road with sprinklers would cost the 140 owners $4 million to $5 million. The Imperial House building is owned exclusively by residents who pay monthly fees for maintenance, she said.
“It would create a terrible burden,” Knox told council members during a meeting. “I’m asking you to slow down and include in the legislation a process to apply for an exemption.”