The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on February 8, 2005 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Farrell, Vice Chairman Coutu and Commissioners Preiss, Burlingame and Newbrook were present.  The fire service was represented by Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Richard Silva of the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office.  A motion was made by Vice Chairman Coutu and seconded by Commissioner Newbrook to grant the Applicant relief as outlined herein.  The motion was unanimous.

FINDINGS OF FACT
	
The numbers of the Decision below correspond with those of a December 6, 2004 inspection report compiled by the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office during the February 8, 2005 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the December 6, 2004 inspection report as its initial findings of fact.  Any modification of the Board’s findings, such as correction of a deficiency by the Applicant, shall be noted herein. 
	
Any deficiency understood by the Board to have been corrected, which is not so corrected, shall be immediately corrected by the Applicant.  The term “approved”, as used herein, is understood to mean “in accordance with the specific provisions related to the particular subject as are contained in the State Fire Code, or as approved in particular by the authority having jurisdiction (the State Fire Marshal or his or her designated Deputy State Fire Marshal or Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal.)”

CONCLUSIONS AND VARIANCE REQUESTS
	
1.  During the February 8, 2005 hearing on this matter, the Board was advised that this facility is fully sprinklered and also protected by an approved fire alarm system.  The Board was further advised that the Applicant wishes to convert the second floor of this facility to theater space.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of sections 7.2.2 and 7.2.2.2 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing dimensions of the cited existing stairs within this facility.
	
2.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 7.2.1.4.4 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing cited door swing.  In granting this variance, the Board notes that this is only an egress door and not generally utilized for people traveling through this area.  The Board was further advised that there were three (3) means of egress with two (2) being approved and one (1) considered an emergency means of egress.  Finally, as a condition of the above variances, the Board directs the Applicant to provide the Providence Fire Department with an approved stage setting plan advising as to the current use of the stage and changing scenery in order to eliminate confusion in the event of emergency.

STATUS OF DECISION AND APPEAL RIGHTS
	
This Decision represents a comprehensive, integrated plan of fire safety for the above-captioned facility under the above-cited use or occupancy.  Accordingly, every variance granted is conditioned upon the Applicant’s timely and continued compliance with all of the directives of the Board.  Every variance granted is further conditioned upon the continued use or occupancy of this facility under the above-cited classification reviewed by the Board. (See:  Board Rules and Regulations, section 6-2-17).
	
Failure of the Applicant to initially comply with the full Decision of the Board, within the stated time frame, shall void all variances granted herein.  (See: Board Rules and Regulations, section 6-2-18.)  In the event of complete, timely and continued compliance with the full Decision of the Board, the above cited variances shall be deemed to have vested in the above-captioned facility.  As long as this facility is in continued compliance with the full Decision of the Board, the above-cited variances shall remain with this facility in the absence of any change in use or occupancy mandating review under a separate classification of the Fire Code or a revision of the above-cited classification.  (See: Board Rules and Regulations, section 6-2-19). 

 
Such changes in use or occupancy of this facility, or failure to continually comply with the Board’s Decision shall void all variances granted under the above-cited use or occupancy.  If such change creates a new use or occupancy as outlined in R.I.G.L. 23-28.1-6, all variances granted under the original use or occupancy are void and this facility shall be reviewed under the newly created use or occupancy.  (See: Board Rules and Regulations, section 6-2-20).
	
The Applicant may appeal the Board’s Decision, within thirty (30) days of the mailing date of this Decision, by commencing an action against the State Fire Marshal in the Sixth division of the District Court.  Commencement of such an action does not operate as an automatic stay of this Decision [R.I.G.L. 42-35-15(c)].