The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on February 14, 2012 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Newbrook, Vice Chairperson Filippi and Commissioners Richard, Blackburn, Burlingame, Sylvester, Jasparro, Pearson and Dias were present.  Commissioner Walker recused himself from consideration of this case.  The fire service was represented by Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshals Oscar Elmasian and James Bellamy of the East Providence Fire Marshals Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Dias and seconded by Commissioners Jasparro and Richard 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 June 5, 2009 inspection report compiled by the East Providence Fire Marshals Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the East Providence Fire Marshals Office during the February 14, 2012 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the June 5, 2009 inspection report as its initial findings of fact.  Any modification of the Boards 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 this Code, or as approved in particular by the State Fire Marshal or his or her designee.

CONCLUSIONS AND VARIANCE REQUESTS 
	1-7.  During the February 14, 2012 hearing on this matter, the Board was advised and finds that the subject facility is protected with a full sprinkler system and a fully addressable fire alarm system.  The Board was further advised and finds that the Applicant has corrected all deficiencies with the exception of item 3 as outlined on the inspection report.  In light of the safeguards within this facility and the fact that similar relief is granted pursuant to the recently upgraded provisions for existing Places of Worship, the Board hereby grants the Applicant a variance from the provisions of section 7.2.2.5.1.1 and its referenced standards in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing construction, configuration, rating and latching of the doors leading to the front stairwell of the church and the existing stairwell that is common to the basement, first floor and the balcony seating.  In granting this relief to allow the Applicant to maintain the cited doors and stairwell, it is the understanding of the Board that the East Providence Fire Marshals Office has no objection in light of the above safeguards and code changes.

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 Applicants 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 Boards 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 Boards 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)].