June 12, 2009 - Shreveport Adopts New Fire Prevention Ordinance for Apartments

Stove-top Fire Suppression Systems to Aid in Reduction of Kitchen Fires

The City of Shreveport has adopted FY2009 Section 30-70 Fire Prevention Ordinance – Stove-top Fire Suppression Systems. This new ordinance requires “the installation and maintenance of approved, self activating fire extinguishing devices designed for residential stove vent hoods in all apartment residences.”

To be in compliance with the new ordinance, all apartments must have the approved automatic fire suppression systems installed in by January, 01, 2010. Apartments as defined in the ordinance are “any apartment buildings containing three or more dwelling units with no automatic sprinkler systems which contain independent cooking and bathroom facilities.”

Automatic fire suppression systems are expected to reduce property damage, injuries, and death associated kitchen fires caused by unattended cooking.

An increase in apartment fires during the first three months of 2009 with repairs estimated at one point five million dollars ($1,500,000.00) became the catalyst for this new fire prevention ordinance. To date the City of Shreveport has experience 31 apartment fires.

The ordinance takes effect July 1, 2009. All apartment complexes and those residences that fall under the definition of an apartment in the ordinance have 3 months to have them installed. If for some reason an owner cannot comply in the 3 month period, they can write a letter to SFD Fire Prevention requesting an extension. The absolute drop dead date is January 1, 2010.

Fire Prevention will be contacting all apartment owners by letter about the ordinance and its provisions.