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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Caballero, Lightheart winning Medford school board election Ashland schools levy passing big Two arrested after pursuit through Jackson County Atkinson one step closer to state appointment Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Two arrested after pursuit through Jackson County UPDATE: School bus driver killed in crash near Rogue River identified Explosive vehicle fire lands Medford man in jail Emergency services, May 19 Medford police identify woman found dead in field Politics and Elections Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford Education Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Four South Medford seniors build soccer lockers Environment OR-7, mate may be adding to their pack Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Why is Bear Creek so muddy? Blame Emigrant silt and winter storm Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster State News Lawmakers seek authority to impeach Government releases wildfire plan to protect struggling bird in West Bill would press Lane County doctors to take Medicaid patients Senate panel passes medical pot rules Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Death Notices Barbara Ann Simmons William Odell Emmens Clarence Allen (Al) Swearingen George Frederick Christensen Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories South Medford falls in play-in to Newberg Raiders prepare for NAIA national meet Holmes heads SOU recruiting class Timberwolves win draft lottery, Lakers No. 2 The Beautiful Game Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders prepare for NAIA national meet Holmes heads SOU recruiting class Golson undecided, could visit other schools Oregon track sweeps at Pac-12s Hovinga stars on mound as Ducks advance Pro Sports Timberwolves win draft lottery, Lakers No. 2 Marlins fall in Jennings' debut Lottery still creates hope, headlines after 30 years San Diego committee unveils plans for $1.1 billion stadium Spoilers lurk as American Pharoah seeks history Community Sports Business Latest Stories Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Two Crown Markets planned for Talent Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: David Letterman farewell Dianne Williamson: Rare talent needn’t tread lightly on taboo topics Granlund cartoon: Sen. Warren vs. Obama Michael Gerson: War lessons for the GOP Letters to the Editor, May 19 Editorials Our View: Take it easy on hunting and fishing fees Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 19 Letters to the Editor, May 18 Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Letters to the Editor, May 14 Columns Michael Gerson: War lessons for the GOP George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories It Is What It Is: The power of the spoken word Potluck: A Gooey Butter Cake to cherish Community blog: Pucker up for quick rhubarb-celery-berry pickle Shayne Looper: Escape from the 'Big Me' culture Donna Knight: How to lessen your risk Food Potluck: A Gooey Butter Cake to cherish Community blog: Pucker up for quick rhubarb-celery-berry pickle Food for Thought: Grapes deliver sweet healthy goodness Kitchen Call: Cakes — not just for birthdays Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side Home and Garden Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Dear Monty: Five tips for companies to reduce relocation costs Health Donna Knight: How to lessen your risk Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Theater OSF commissioned plays tour throughout country 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Music Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Quick, easy, versatile Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races ... Caballero, Lightheart winning Medford school board election ... Ashland schools levy passing big ... Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races ... Caballero, Lightheart winning Medford school board election ... Ashland schools levy passing big ... MEDFORD Fire sprinklers proposed for all new homes Fire marshal says they would prevent deaths and injuries Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 13, 2014 at 4:01 PM Updated Nov 13, 2014 at 5:32 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 13, 2014 at 4:01 PM Updated Nov 13, 2014 at 5:32 PM » Social News Medford might become the first city in Oregon to require fire sprinklers in all new residential construction to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries. "We can't put a price on a child," Mayor Gary Wheeler said. Wheeler and the City Council received a recommendation from Fire Marshal Greg Kleinberg, who said a fire sprinkler system could add $1.68 a square foot to new construction, or $3,360 to a 2,000-square-foot house. Kleinberg said competition typically drives down the price of sprinklers after several years in communities. The national average price for sprinkler installations is $1.35 per square foot, he said. Over the lifetime of a 30-year loan, Kleinberg said the cost of sprinklers would amount to one Happy Meal or a couple of drinks at Starbucks each month. Based on research and anecdotal evidence, smoke detectors are not always effective because they don't always awaken small children or residents disable the units. In newer construction, flammable materials can completely overwhelm a house with fire and smoke within minutes. Sometimes new floor joists, which are made of lighter materials, will burn through quicker than those in older homes, Kleinberg said. "We've had firefighters enter the front door and fall through the floor," he said. Also, most houses include highly flammable furniture such as sofas, beds and TV sets. "We're packing our houses full of fuel," Kleinberg said. In side-by-side demonstrations, the fire department concluded that a newer house could get out of control within about three minutes compared to older houses that might take as long as 17 minutes. Over the past 25 years, Medford has had 22 fire-related deaths. Kleinberg said that based on his analysis, 17 of those deaths would have been preventable with fire sprinklers. Over the past five years, the city of Medford has averaged 82 fires a year, with the majority one and two family residential. Kleinberg said it's important to note that there are no cities in Oregon that require fire sprinklers in new residential, but it they are required in California. Councilors thought the city should look at ways to offset some of the costs of installing the fire sprinkler systems. Councilor Dick Gordon said he wondered whether the issue should be put to voters to decide. The councilors urged Kleinberg to reach out to local builders and real estate agencies to gauge their response to a mandatory fire sprinkler ordinance. "To make every single homeowner have a fire sprinkler, whether he wants it or not, we don't think it's a good idea," said Brad Bennington, executive officer for the Jackson County Homebuilders Association. He said he thinks that most fires are not taking place in newer construction. "Our experience is the older homes have the problems," he said. "Many homes today are extremely safe. The construction in a modern home is night-and-day compared to an older home." Bennington said his not-for-profit organization's goal is to provide safe, comfortable and affordable housing. In some cases, he said a fire sprinkler system might be appropriate for properties that are located far from fire hydrants or don't have easy access off long driveways. "We think technology is a great idea for people who want it and can afford it," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm.     By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 13, 2014 at 4:01 PM Updated Nov 13, 2014 at 5:32 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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