WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(1)  The size or seriousness of the fire; or

(2)  Whether the fire was extinguished by the sprinkler
system."

The Emergency Number System plays a paramount role in providing
emergency aid to citizens who are in eminent danger and need
immediate assistance. It is important that the Emergency Number
system be used judiciously in order that these emergency calls
can be received and responded to without delay. In one county,
however, a study revealed that one-third of the 911 calls
received were prank calls, hang-ups, children playing, or other
nonemergency uses. this may be typical of jurisdictions
throughout the State. I am concerned that House Bill 755 could
burden the 911 system with additional nonemergency calls, such as
when a person has a simple stove top fire or a cigarette burn.

House Bill 755 would require the builder of single-family
dwelling unit to "offer" a prospective buyer the "option" of
having a sprinkler system installed; it does not mandate the
installation of a sprinkler system. Under current law, nothing
prevents a home buyer from contracting with a builder to install
a sprinkler system in the individual's house while it is under
construction. It would, therefore, appear that much of the
intent of House Bill 755 could be achieved without legislation.
I would urge the building industry to work with the proponents of
this bill to help educate prospective buyers and the public on
the value of residential sprinkler systems in protecting life and
property.

For the above reasons, I have decided to veto House Bill 755.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

House Bill No. 755

AN ACT concerning

Sprinkler Systems - New Single-Family Dwellings

FOR the purpose of requiring certain builders to offer, prior to
the signing of a construction contract, the option of having
certain sprinkler systems installed in certain new homes;
defining certain terms; exempting a single-family
residential dwelling that does not or will not obtain its
water from a public water system; authorizing certain
exceptions to local fire and building codes under certain

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