Milwaukee officials push three-state bills to gauge and increase fire suppression in large apartment buildings

Milwaukee committee staff told the Judiciary and Legislation Committee on Oct. 27 that city and state lawmakers are introducing three bills aimed at identifying and increasing fire suppression systems in large residential buildings following a recent apartment fire that caused multiple deaths.

The city’s legislative presenter said the package — sponsored in the Common Council by Alderman Michael J. (Pratt) and Alderman Milele A. Coggs and supported by state partners — includes a statewide audit of sprinkler systems (LRB 4073), restoration of municipal authority to set local standards (LRB 4166), and a landlord grant program to cover up to half the cost of installing suppression systems (LRB 4075). “The first legislation, was is LRB 4,073. We're requiring the state department of safety and professional services to conduct an audit of fire sprinkler systems in certain residential buildings,” the presenter said. “This would require the state...to do a, audit of every, residential building that is at least…