Editorial: Sprinklers are essential

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Monday, July 11, 2005 | 8:48 a.m.

Of 301 schools in the Clark County School District, 14 do not have emergency sprinkler systems and 51 have only partial systems. In light of the fire last week that destroyed the gymnasium at Roy Martin Middle School, which lacked sprinklers, this is concerning.

But Walt Rulffes, deputy superintendent of operations for the Clark County School District, says all of the schools are safe. He says evacuation procedures are so efficient that the true purpose of sprinkler systems is really just to save property, not lives.

We disagree. Sprinkler systems can douse a fire quickly, before it starts spreading. We believe double protection is necessary -- good evacuation procedures and sprinkler systems. All new schools are required to have sprinklers, which tells us that all older schools that don't have them should be retrofitted. Imagine the outcry, and the liability, if a fire tragedy occurred at a school without sprinklers.