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Council presses for immediate follow‑up after low sprinkler pressure found at Havenwood II
Summary
Council Member Shane Savant raised fire‑safety concerns after Fire Chief Brock Wilcher reported that one building at the newly occupied Havenwood II apartment complex lacked adequate sprinkler pressure; the county fire chief had signed the Certificate of Occupancy and the council asked staff to investigate compliance and occupancy.
Council Member Shane Savant on Aug. 13 urged city staff to act quickly after Fire Chief Brock Wilcher reported insufficient sprinkler pressure in one building at the Havenwood II apartment complex.
Savant asked whether the complex was leasing units; Chief Wilcher confirmed that about six apartments were occupied and said testing found inadequate sprinkler pressure in one of the five buildings. Wilcher told the council that Matt Kelly, the county fire chief, had signed off on the Certificate of Occupancy for the premises. Savant said that, given the potential fire hazard, the city needed to address the issue promptly.
City Manager Richard Newbern said staff would follow up on the water‑pressure testing, business licensing status and compliance with occupancy and life‑safety systems. The minutes record discussion about whether all buildings had been tested; officials said only the single building in question had insufficient pressure at the time of the report.
The council did not vote on enforcement at the meeting but directed staff to investigate and report back. The discussion concluded with agreement that the matter required immediate attention to verify that sprinkler systems meet applicable standards and to confirm whether occupied units are safe.
Next steps listed in the minutes include follow‑up testing and verification of compliance; the council asked staff to return with results and any recommended actions.
