The proposed mandatory sprinkler law, while well intended, is a case of misplaced priority and resources. [New sprinkler law: Shower of safety or just all wet?" South Extra, Feb. 10]
Since saving lives is the sprinkler proponents' goal, they might welcome a debate over how to save the most lives with the available resources.
If there were enough money, every house could have a sprinkler and every Pennsylvanian would have a home. That would be ideal. Unfortunately, that's not the state of the world. So we have to make choices.
Thousands of Pennsylvanians are homeless, and that can be a deadly condition. Last year 110 Pennsylvanians died because they were homeless and exposed to the elements. That's about 10 times the number of Pennsylvanians who died in house fires.
If we took the money that mandatory sprinklers would cost and used it to increase the supply of housing for the homeless we could reduce the number of deaths from homelessness.
The Housing Alliance says let's focus on how to save the most lives. From our perspective that means creating more safe, affordable homes.
ELIZABETH G. HERSH
Glenside
The writer is executive director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, headquartered in Glenside.
I read your article on the newly mandated home sprinklers with interest. An area that the article doesn't explore is what the increase may be for homeowner's insurance for homes that have these systems. Homeowner policies generally pay for damage in leaking water systems. Having a new source for potential leaks would probably outweigh any decrease in having a fire-retardant system. Ask any insurance adjuster -- water damage is almost always more expensive than a fire. And far more likely.
KIM CAUGHEY FORREST
Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County
The writer is an executive and analyst for Fort Pitt Capital Group Inc., Green Tree
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First Published: February 17, 2011, 11:00 a.m.
