Ed Eaker, co-owner of Mission Fire Sprinkler LLC, takes measurements while installing a sprinkler system in the Strauss Building which is being renovated to be a restaurant in downtown Chattanooga.Chattanooga Fire Marshal James Whitmire and the City Council agreed Tuesday to defer action on enacting the most restrictive fire code in city history, after confusion reigned during a meeting to discuss the measure.
The rule, which would have required existing sports bars, restaurants with live entertainment, dance halls, discotheques, nightclubs and “assembly occupancies with festival seating” to install sprinkler systems, came under fire from all corners.
Club owners, code officials and residents gathered to listen to, and often participate in, the debate.
Council members repeatedly expressed confusion as to whether the law in question had been passed previously. In addition, they could not get a clear answer on the city’s liability and it was not apparent if the measure was required by federal or state law.
With specific answers on the legal ramifications of any council action elusive, head building inspector Gary Hilbert called a halt to the debate.