The Lawrence city staff has done more research and come up with the same conclusion about the need for safety measures at local facilities that house animals.

The Lawrence City Commission began discussing this issue several months ago after a number of animals died or were injured in fires at two local pet facilities — a pet store and a boarding facility. City staff members worked with various stakeholders that would be affected and arrived at a plan that set requirements for fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems. After hearing a report and some questions in June, commissioners instructed the city staff to seek additional input from those stakeholders. After seeking that input, city staff members reported broad, although not unanimous, support for their initial recommendation, which city commissioners will reconsider at tonight’s meeting.

The basics of the plan are this:

• All animal housing facilities would be required to install smoke detectors and monitored fire alarm systems. All facilities also would have to provide fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detection equipment where fuel-fired appliances are used. They also would have to develop emergency plans and provide staff drills for implementing those plans.

• In addition to those requirements, all new or renovated facilities of more than 3,000 square feet would be required to install automatic fire sprinklers; smaller facilities would be exempt from that requirement.

The staff’s recommendation seems to outline a reasonable approach to the issue, although there may be some debate on the fire sprinkler requirement. Some stakeholders didn’t see why the size of a new or remodeled facility should be a factor in whether sprinklers are required. Animals are at risk at facilities of any size, they say. At least one local boarding facility has said the cost of installing sprinklers at a new facility would be prohibitive. Let facilities that install sprinklers use that as a selling point for people who want to pay more for that level of safety for their pets, she said.

Those who think the city’s proposed policy goes too far might consider the voice of experience: the owners of Pet World, which suffered a devastating fire on May 25. They support a code change that requires that all animal facilities, regardless of their size, install fire sprinklers — immediately.

City commissioners may want to consider eliminating the double standard based on new facilities’ size, but the staff recommendation is on the right track. Animals locked in pens and cages have no way to escape smoke and fire. Protecting those animals is an appropriate role for city government.