Fire Safety Code, Rhode Island

Decisions - Details

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
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FIRE SAFETY CODE - BOARD OF APPEAL AND REVIEW
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DECISION
FILE NO.: 200176
LOCATION OF PREMISES: Metacom Avenue (Bristol Development and Training Center)
APPLICANT: Director Paul H. Grenon MHRH Division of Developmental Disabilities P.O. Box 20523 Cranston, R.I. 02902
USE OR OCCUPANCY: Business
DATE OF DECISION: 2003-04-07
The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on August 15, 2000 at 1:30 P.M. At that time, Chairman Farrell and Commissioners Pearson, Wahlberg, O'Connell, Coutu, Richard, Evans, Burlingame and Newbrook were present.  The fire service was represented by Chief of Inspections William Howe of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Wahlberg and seconded by Commissioner Coutu 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 November 2, 1999 inspection report complied by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the State Fire Marshal’s Office during the  August 15, 2000 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the November 2, 1999 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 defined in section 23-28.1-4(3) of the Rhode Island General Laws.

CONCLUSIONS AND VARIANCE REQUESTS

1(a). It is the understanding of the Board that the Applicant has corrected deficiency 1(a) by repairing the cited the egress door in the workshop area at the direction and to the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshal.

1(b). It is the understanding of the Board that the Applicant has corrected deficiency 1(b) by repairing the cited fire doors that separate the storage area from the rest of the building at the direction and to the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshal.

1(c). During the August 15, 2000 hearing on this matter, the Board was advised that the Applicant sought a time variance of six months in order to correct deficiency 1(c). The Board was further advised that there is currently no requirement for emergency generator within this facility.  There's only requirement for emergency lighting.  Further, the Board was advised that this is a one-story noncombustible building with ample natural light. Finally, the Board was advised that there is no occupancy in this building after 4 PM and that the Applicant maintains fire drills tie routine basis.
	
In light of the above, the Board hereby grants the Applicant a time variance of six months from the date of this decision in which to correct deficiency 1(c), by repairing the emergency generator within this facility, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshal.

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)].
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