Embarrassing sprinkler problem fixed

Owners of the state-leased building at 400 W. King St. have finished installation of the building's sprinkler system.

The sprinklers have been in the structure for years but until about six weeks ago they were little more than decoration because they had never been hooked up to the city's water system.

That proved at least a bit embarrassing for two of the state agencies there, Risk Management and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Both are responsible for making sure agencies and businesses in Nevada comply with those kinds of safety requirements.

"They've been fixed, attached to the water lines," said Risk Manager Susan Dunt Wednesday. "We've had several fire drills and everything seems to be fine."

The original lease for the building, which is owned by a California man, required sprinklers.

"I believe the original problem was that the lease required a sprinkler system but the wording didn't say it had to be hooked up." said Dunt.

After state officials threatened to put their rent in escrow until the sprinklers were connected, the owner fixed the problem.

"It took a while because we had to have the plans approved but we got it done about six weeks ago," she said. "We're very pleased it's fixed."

State law requires all public and commercial use buildings over a certain size to be sprinklered. That law was passed 20 years ago after the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas caught fire, killing more than 100.