The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on 2/4/2014 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Newbrook, Vice Chairperson Filippi and Commissioners Booth, Pearson, Thornton, Jackson, Richard, Burlingame and Sylvester were present.  Also present was Department of Administration Deputy Legal Counsel Peter N. Dennehy.  The fire service was represented by Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Chris Mahoney of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.  The Applicant was represented by Mr. Ron LaChance (letter of authorization on file).  A motion was made by Commissioner Richard and seconded by Commissioner Booth 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 12/16/2013 inspection report compiled by the Newport Fire Marshals Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the Newport Fire Marshals Office during the 2/4/2014 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the 12/16/2013 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 Authority Having Jurisdiction (State Fire Marshal, his or her designated Deputy State Fire Marshals and/or Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshals).

CONCLUSIONS AND VARIANCE REQUESTS

	1.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant a time variance of thirty (30) days from the date of this decision in which to develop and submit a plan of action for the installation of a system heat detector within the first floor closet of this facility.  The Board further grants the Applicant an additional one hundred fifty (150) days in order to implement the above plan of action, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	2.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant seven (7) days from the date of this hearing in order to correct deficiency 2 by providing this facility with approved portable fire extinguishers, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	3.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant the time variance outlined in item 1 above in order to correct deficiency 3 by providing the exit stair enclosures in this facility with approved 1-3/4 solid core doors that are self-closing and self-latching in accordance with RILSC 31.2.2.1.3, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	4.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant the time variance outlined in item 1 above in order to correct deficiency 4 by providing the laundry and storage areas in this facility with approved 1-hour fire resistance rated separation or automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with RILSC 31.3.2.1.1, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	5.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant the time variance outlined in item 1 above in order to correct deficiency 5 by providing the apartment doors to the egress system in this facility with approved self-closing devices (spring-loaded hinges), at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	6.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant the time variance outlined in item 1 above in order to correct deficiency 6 by providing all dwelling units in this facility with annual emergency instructions, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	7.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant seven (7) days from the date of this hearing in order to correct deficiency 7 by removing all storage in proximity to any hot water heater(s), at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	8.  It is the understanding of the Board that the Applicant has corrected deficiency 8.
	9.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant seven (7) days from the date of this hearing in order to correct deficiency 9 by removing any chock or other device holding any door(s) open that is required to be kept closed, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Newport Fire Marshals Office.
	In granting the above relief, it is the understanding of the Board that there is no objection by the Newport Fire Marshals Office.  Finally, the Board hereby authorizes the Newport Fire Marshals Office to extend the above timelines for good faith efforts being demonstrated by the applicant.

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)].