Residents, businesses backing sprinkler bill

After more than two months of heated discussion and debate over the installation of sprinklers in downtown Annapolis buildings, more business owners and residents are starting to get on board with the idea.

At last night's City Council meeting, nine residents, business owners, firefighters and fire-prevention supporters spoke mostly in support of the bill introduced last month by Alderman Dave Cordle, R-Ward 5. The bill would extend automatic fire sprinkler systems requirements to include new residential construction, as well as large overhauls - at least 50 percent - of commercial buildings.

Under current city law, sprinklers...