Citation

Pertschuk M, Hobart R, Paloma M, Larkin MA, Balbach ED. Am. J. Public Health 2013; 103(10): 1780-1787.

Affiliation

Mark Pertschuk is with Grassroots Change: Connecting for Better Health, Oakland, CA. Robin Hobart is with ICF International, Denver, CO. Marjorie Paloma and Michelle A. Larkin are with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ. Edith D. Balbach is with the Public Health and Community Medicine and Community Health Program, Tufts University, Medford, MA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2013.301317

PMID

23948005

Abstract

Home fires account for 85% of fire deaths in the United States, the majority in 1- or 2-family homes lacking fire sprinklers. Since 1978, however, a grassroots movement has successfully promoted more than 360 local ordinances mandating sprinklers in all new residential construction, including 1- and 2-family homes. The homebuilding industry has responded by seeking state preemption of local authority, a strategy previously used by other industries concerned about protecting their profits. From 2009 through 2011, 13 states adopted laws eliminating or limiting local authority over residential fire sprinklers. This study of the residential sprinkler movement adds to our understanding of grassroots public health movements and provides additional evidence that preemption can have a negative impact on public health and safety. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 15, 2013: e1-e8. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301317).

Language: en