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.: 050564
LOCATION OF PREMISES: 69 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI
APPLICANT: Mr. Joseph Piotti 24 Bryer Avenue Jamestown, RI 02835
USE OR OCCUPANCY: Hotels and Dormitories
DATE OF DECISION: 2008-07-11
The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on April 22, 2008 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Coutu, Vice Chairman Newbrook and Commissioners Blackburn, Richard, Jackson, Preiss, Pearson, OConnell, Walker and Jasparro were present.  The fire service was represented by Deputy State Fire Marshals Cynthia Dehler and Kaitlyn Foley of the State Fire Marshals Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Blackburn and seconded by Vice Chairman Newbrook and 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 a February 12, 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 April 22, 2008 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the February 12, 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 sections 29.2.2.3, 7.2.2.5 and 7.2.2.5.1 and their referenced standards in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing enclosure of the central stairwell leading from the first floor to the second floor of this facility and the stairwell leading from the first floor to the basement.  In granting this variance, the Board notes that the State Fire Marshal's office has no objection in light of the sprinkler system and fire alarm system currently installed within this facility.
	2-13.  The Board hereby grants the Applicant a time variance until December 31, 2008 in order to correct any remaining deficiencies as outlined in deficiencies 2 through 13.  The Board notes that during the April 22, 2008 hearing that the parties believed that deficiencies 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 have been corrected and that the Applicant shall correct the remaining deficiencies within the above time period.
	14.  During the April 22, 2008 hearing, the Board was advised that the attic space of this building is accessible, but has heat detection and an access panel inside a closet.  The Board was further advised that this area would be considered mechanical space and shall remain locked and not allowed to be utilized for storage.  Finally, the Board was advised that mechanical devices were protected by both heat detection and remote shutoff.  The Board notes that if the sprinkler system in this facility were a 13R system, that this condition would be allowed.  Accordingly, the Board approves the above space subject to the above conditions.

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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