Fire Safety Code, Rhode Island

Decisions - Details

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
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DECISION
FILE NO.: 070202
LOCATION OF PREMISES: 120 Dexter Road, East Providence
APPLICANT: Narragansett Bay Commission c/o Executive Director Raymond Marshall One Service Road Providence, RI 02905
USE OR OCCUPANCY: Industrial
DATE OF DECISION: 2008-10-30
The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on October 21, 2008 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Coutu, Vice Chairman Newbrook and Commissioners Dias, Filippi, Pearson, Jackson, Richard, Preiss and Blackburn were present.  Commissioner Walker recused himself from consideration of this case.  The fire service was represented by Deputy State Fire Marshals Wade Palazini and Arthur DaCosta of the State Fire Marshals Office.  A motion was made by Vice Chairman Newbrook and seconded by Commissioner 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 an October 10, 2008 inspection report 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 October 21, 2008 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the October 10, 2008 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, shall be 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, his or her designated Deputy State Fire Marshals and/or Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshals).

CONCLUSIONS AND VARIANCE REQUESTS 
	1.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 13.8.10.5.2 in order to allow the Applicant not to maintain double action manual fire alarm boxes in the pumping station.  This variance is granted based on very limited occupancy of this area and no public access.
	2.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of sections 40.2.2.3.1 and 7.2.2.2.1, and their referenced standards, in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing cited stairs in the pump building, again based upon low occupancy and no public access.
	3.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 40.2.5 and its referenced standards to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing common path of travel through the pumping room of this facility, again based upon limited occupancy and no public access.
	4.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 40.3.1 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing vertical opening extending from the sub-basement to the first floor.  In granting this relief, the Board notes that this opening is needed in order for the Applicant to efficiently perform the specialized operation within this complex.   
	5.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency 5 by providing both buildings with approved illuminated exit signs as part of its planned renovations currently being reviewed by the State Fire Marshal's office.  The Board further notes that this building could be classified as a high hazard building due to the nature of the processes within and therefore the State Fire Marshal's office and the Applicant should prepare their plans accordingly.  Finally, the Board notes that either the Applicant or the State Fire Marshal may return to the Board for future review of this project and/or the granting of additional relief.

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)].
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