The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on October 7, 2003 at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Acting Chairman Burlingame and Commissioners Wahlberg, Preiss, Newbrook, Pearson, Coutu and Filippi were present.  The fire service was represented by Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Daniel Isles of the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Coutu and seconded by Commissioner Wahlberg 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 2, 2003 inspection report compiled by the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office during the October 7, 2003 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the October 2, 2003 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.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #1 by providing a remote shut-off switch to the heating unit of this facility within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
2.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #2 by providing approved normal light fixtures in the rear service corridor of this facility within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
3.  The Board hereby grants a variance in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing dimensions of the cited areas outlined in deficiency #3.  As a condition of this variance, the Board directs the Applicant to provide these areas with approved emergency lighting with the exception of the crawl space which is not normally occupied.
	
4.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #4 by providing this facility with approved exit signage at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
5.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #5 by properly connecting the fire alarm system to the rest of the building within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
6.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #6 by removing the cited egress obstructions within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
7.  The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of Life Safety Code section 5-2.1.3 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the exterior elevation of the front door area on the basis of structural hardship.  However, the Board directs the Applicant to correct the interior floor level deficiencies as outlined in item #7, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
8.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #8 by removing all of the cited combustible materials at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal’s office.
	
9.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #9 by providing the basement stairway with approved handrails within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
10.  The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency #10 by providing this facility with approved emergency lighting within sixty (60) days of the date of this decision.
	
11.  In light of the above, once the Providence Fire Marshal’s office believes this facility is in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Fire Code, the Providence Fire Marshal’s office is hereby authorized to approve the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy covering this facility for a period of approximately sixty (60) days.  In the event that the Applicant fails to comply with the above sixty (60) day time line for correction of all remaining deficiencies, the temporary certificate of occupancy shall be deemed void.

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)].