Village hall sprinkler break costly for Mount Prospect

Mount Prospect will spend $171,000 to repair damage caused at village hall last month during a weather-related fire sprinkler failure, but village officials who approved the spending last week say they're hopeful insurance eventually will cover most of the bill.

The damage occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Jan. 7 when a third-flood fire sprinkler head next to the executive conference room broke due to the extreme cold weather. The break triggered the fire pump, resulting in water inundating the conference room, adjacent hallway and a portion of the village board room.

Water also traveled down a stairwell and through floor joints to offices, storage rooms and hallways on the two floors below.

The repair work includes the replacement of carpet, ceiling tiles and drywall, as well as improvements to the sprinkler system so that it is less susceptible to freezing temperatures.

Public Works Director Sean Dorsey said the water was described as "black water, category 3 water, nothing you would want to drink."

Much of the cost - about $94,000 in all - will pay for the purchase and installation of new carpet. Village staff recommended complete carpet replacement because the existing carpet is 10 years old and exhibiting wear.

"My feeling is that if our carpet across the board is toward the end of its useful life, it's probably best to do it all at once," Trustee Paul Hoefert said.

Dorsey said the extent of the damage that will be covered by insurance still needs to be determined.

"It is our opinion at this point, that it is all eligible for consideration," he said.

The insurance policy on village-owned buildings carries a $25,000 deductible, which the village pays from its Risk Management Fund.

"It's kind of fungible. We're on the hook for the first 25," Village Manager Michael Janonis said. "We're going to make a full-court press with the insurance company."