Here are some points in my 3-page testimony to city council opposing Bill 69.

1. DOING A RETROFIT WOULD BE FAR MORE COSTLY THAN THE WATER PIPES ALONE (Expensive hazmat asbestos removal of popcorn ceilings; residents must move to hotel; furniture must be moved out to allow workers to install pipes on ceilings).

2. Cost/benefit analysis: reduced insurance premiums for having sprinklers are a fair estimate of economic benefit and show it's not worthwhile.

3.  Protecting against extremely rare events is wasteful.

4.  Fire does not spread to other apartments in some older buildings constructed with cement. 

5.  Respect free choice of residents -- None of the older condos has ever voluntarily retrofitted. 

See full testimony at http://tinyurl.com/ycke6g56