RS 40:1641: Purpose

A. The legislature hereby finds that existing high rise buildings which do not have fire protection sprinkler systems represent a serious threat to life and property. High rise building fires are particularly dangerous due to the fact that present fire fighting apparatus can only reach floor levels below seventy-five feet in height, leaving upper floors in high rise facilities vulnerable to the unchecked spread of fire, thereby endangering the occupants of those upper floor levels.

B. It is therefore the policy of this state in order to protect life and property from the hazards of fire and panic which may arise from fire or from the threat of fire in high rise buildings to require existing high rise buildings to be protected throughout by an approved fire protection sprinkler system.