The impending scuffle over fire safety between Sens. Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) and David Thomas (R-Greenville) has made its way to the House in the form of a bill introduced by Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) and key members of the Republican Caucus that offers incentives and tax credits for commercial buildings and private homes to install sprinkler systems.

“It is our goal that these incentives will cause businesses and individuals to act and install this lifesaving device,” Harrell said. “When dealing with costly endeavors like this, it is better for government to use market-based incentives instead of passing on costly mandates that would do little and could possibly put people out of business.”

The bill (H. 4470) gives a tax credit equal to 80 percent of the cost of purchasing, installing and retrofitting a fire sprinkler system, not to exceed $50,000. Fire sprinkler systems would also be exempt from state sales tax.

The bill would further end the unfair and excessive “Fire Sprinkler Tax.” A municipality or special service district will only be allowed to charge for the actual cost associated with adding a water line for the purpose of supporting a fire sprinkler system.

Discussion over fire safety heated up after the June 18 blaze at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston that claimed the lives of nine firefighters. And in the wake of October’s deadly beach fire that killed seven South Carolina college students, fire safety is at the forefront of many people’s minds.

More audio from Harrell: