The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on July 24, 2012 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Newbrook and Commissioners Dias, Pearson, Jasparro, Jackson, Sylvester, Burlingame, Blackburn and Richard were present.  The fire service was represented by Deputy State Fire Marshal Kaitlyn Foley of the State Fire Marshals Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Burlingame and seconded by Commissioner Pearson 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 July 19, 2012 inspection report (12-1111-IS) compiled by the State Fire Marshals Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the State Fire Marshals Office during the July 24, 2012 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the July 19, 2012 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.  (12-1369-VN).  The Board hereby grants a dimensional variance in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the cited headroom of the basement stairs by the kitchen and the headroom of the kitchen storage area in the basement of this facility.  In granting this relief, it is the understanding of the Board that there shall be no storage and that the basement shall be utilized for mechanical access only, and secured at the direction and to the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshals Office.
	2.  (12-1370-VN).  The Board hereby grants a variance in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing cited dimensions of the stairways leading to the Office areas of this facility.  In granting this relief, it is the understanding of the Board that residents are not allowed in the subject area.
	3.  (12-1371-VN).  The Board hereby allows the Applicant to maintain the existing condition contingent upon the Applicants maintaining full sprinkler coverage in this area.
	4.  (12-1374-VN).  The Board hereby grants a variance in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing flame spread rating for the wood paneling in conjunction with sprinkler coverage in this facility.
	5.  (12-1368-VN).  The Board hereby grants a variance in order to allow the subject facility to be a two-story building conditioned upon the fact that residents shall not be allowed on the second floor, and the second floor space shall only be utilized for offices.

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)].