The Politics of Life Safety

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The Politics of Life Safety
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Public Fire Protection Division

• Promoting the Fire Sprinkler Concept from Sea to
  Shining Sea

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First, lets look at our federal legislative
initiative
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Pushing a Rock UP Capitol Hill
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Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2005

• HR 1131
• S 512

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HR 1131 S 512
Amend 1986 Internal Revenue Code Classify
sprinklers as a five-year property Depreciate
over five yearsa
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The present tax code establishes a fire sprinkler
depreciation schedule of 39 years for commercial
and 27 ½ years for residential occupancies
39 Years !!! WHY?
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Obviously, no economic incentive for the retrofit
of fire sprinklers in commercial and residential
occupancies!
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HR-1131 S 512
By promoting the installation of automatic fire
sprinkler systems in these occupancies, it is our
collective belief that the Federal Government
will have the opportunity to take a significant,
proactive step in safeguarding the lives of our
citizens
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HR 1131 S 512
To date there are 160 House co-sponsors and 14
Senate co-sponsors
WEB site www.nfsa.org
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So why cant we move the bill?
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Its Scored at a cost of 2.2 Billion
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We have conceived an alternative!
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Offset accelerated depreciation, which is an
increased tax deduction, with property insurance
reduction for sprinklers, thereby creating a
revenue neutral tax status.
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Meeting on Thursday, April 20

• Joint Tax Committee
• Senate Finance Committee

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Vehicles ?

• Reconciliation
• Extenders

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Pushing a Rock UP Capitol Hill