Fire Sprinkler Tax Incentives

Fire Pros Will Help You Save This Season!

Many buildings are required to have automatic fire sprinklers installed under state or local law. For those that don’t, it’s easy to put this addition on the backburner. However, recent tax reform makes it more appealing for small business owners to add this life-saving fire protection system to their building. It’s called the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, and it helps cover the cost of adding fire sprinklers to existing buildings.

If you’re interested in upgrading your Michigan business with fire sprinklers, read on to learn more about the tax incentives available. 

Benefits of Fire Sprinklers

Automatic fire sprinkler systems are the best way to reduce the spread of fire, heat, and smoke in a building until the fire department arrives—even if the building is vacant. Of course, sprinklers also save lives when the building is occupied.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that civilian death rates are 81% lower in buildings with sprinklers compared to those without them. Property damage also plummets by an average of 60% when sprinklers are present.

How Fire Sprinkler Tax Incentives Work

A change to Section 179 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes it easier for small business owners to protect their people and property with the addition of fire sprinklers. As of 2017, it’s possible to deduct up to $1 million of the cost to install fire sprinklers. Installations, retrofits, and upgrades in existing buildings all qualify. You can even deduct interest payments from any loans you obtain to pay for the project.

The incentive is not available for buildings that are required by law to install sprinklers due to additions or improvements made to the structure. Other limitations also apply. For instance, the building must meet certain height restrictions and classification requirements by the NFPA. Contact Fire Pros for more information about whether your building qualifies.

How Did the Fire Sprinkler Tax Incentive get Introduced?

Building fire deaths are tragic, no matter how long ago they occurred. One of the worst incidents in modern history was the Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago, IL, which claimed the lives of over 600 people in 1903. Then, there was the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire in Boston, MA, which killed about 500 people in 1942.

The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act was first filed after a fire at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island killed 100 people and injured 230 others in 2003. Imagine how many lives could have been spared if the nightclub had been outfitted with sprinklers and given the occupants more time to escape.

With the ability to claim valuable tax deductions, you can now enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business and the people inside are less vulnerable to fire.

Fire Sprinkler Retrofits in MI & IN

If you own a business in Michigan —especially one with a high fire risk—now’s the time to install, retrofit, or upgrade your sprinkler system. Fire Pros offers comprehensive fire sprinkler services to meet your needs. With over 30 years of experience, you know you can count on us to complete quality work that will make your building safer in a fire.

To learn more, or to schedule services, please contact us today.