As indicated in the file, a hearing involving the above-captioned property was conducted on April 12, 2016 before the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, pursuant to RI General Laws Section 23-28.3-5.
	In attendance at the hearing were the following:
COMMISSIONERS: Chairman Newbrook and Commissioners Pearson, Jackson, Sylvester and Booth.
AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION: Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Scott Derry of the Providence Fire Marshals Office.
APPLICANT: Matt Dempsey, Peter Casale and Charlotte Handy.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: W. Keith Burlingame, Esq.

TRAVEL OF THE CASE

1.	This is an Application for Variance filed under R.I.G.L. Chapter 23-28.3, entitled Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, and the Administrative Regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.	The Application was filed by Matt Dempsey (owner) of 45 Dike Street, Providence, RI dated February 19, 2016.
3.	The Application was received by the Board and File  160033 opened on February 24, 2016.
4.	A hearing on the Application was conducted on April 12, 2016 at 1:00 PM before the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
5.	After all evidence was presented at the hearing, a motion was made by Commissioner Sylvester and seconded by Commissioner Jackson to grant the Applicant the relief as outlined herein.  The motion passed on a 5 to 0 vote.
6.	On May 18, 2016 ADSFM Scott Derry of the Providence Fire Marshals Office advised after further inspection and review it was determined that item  4 of the previous plan review rejection notice was in fact compliant and that no action or relief was necessary.

RECORD OF THE CASE

The following documents are part of the administrative record for Appeal  160033 and are pertinent to the decision rendered:

1.	Variance Application  160033 dated February 19, 2016 and filed on February 24, 2016.
2.	Providence Fire Marshals Office Inspection Report dated February 5, 2016.
3.	E-mail from ADSFM Scott Derry of the Providence Fire Marshals Office dated May 18, 2016.

EXHIBITS

The following documents were presented at the April 12, 2016 hearing as exhibits:

1.	None.

FINDINGS OF FACT

	Based on the testimony and evidence introduced at the hearing and a review of the administrative file, the Board makes the following Finding of Fact:

1.	The numbers of the Decision below correspond with those of the February 5, 2016 plan review report compiled by the Providence Fire Marshals Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the Providence Fire Marshals Office during the April 12, 2016 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the February 5, 2016 plan review 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.
2.	The building is an existing 2-story assembly occupancy being converted to a business occupancy.
3.	There is no objection by the Providence Fire Marshals Office to the granting of the relief outlined herein.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND
DETERMINATIONS ON VARIANCE REQUESTS

1.	The Board grants the Applicant a variance from the provisions of RILSC section 7.1.3.2.1(9) by allowing the bathroom door on the second floor to remain within the exit enclosure.
2.	The Board hereby grants the Applicant a variance from the provisions of RILSC section 7.2.1.4.2(2) by allowing the two (2) office doors [ 36 and  39] on the second floor to swing against the path of egress travel based upon a structural hardship.
3.	The Board hereby grants the Applicant a variance from the provisions of RILSC sections 7.7.2 and 7.7.6 by allowing the existing egress via the roof access to remain based upon a structural hardship.  In consideration of the relief granted herein, the Board directs the Applicant to provide additional illumination, emergency lighting, handrails and markings within thirty (30) days of the date of the decision, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal's Office.
4.	This item has been determined to be in compliance and no relief is necessary.

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).

Finally, the Board hereby authorizes the Providence Fire Marshals Office to extend a single thirty (30) day extension to the above timeline(s) for good faith compliance efforts being demonstrated by the Applicant in accordance with the provisions of Fire Safety Code, section 6-2-22.1.

STATUS OF DECISION AND APPEAL RIGHTS

1.	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: Fire Safety Code, section 6-2-22).
2.	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: Fire Safety Code, section 6-2-23.)  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: Fire Safety Code, section 6-2-24).
3.	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:  Fire Safety Code, section 6-2-25).
4.	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.  (See: Fire Safety Code, section 6-2-18).  Commencement of such an action does not operate as an automatic stay of this Decision [R.I.G.L. 42-35-15(c)].