The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on June 26, 2001 at 1:30 P.M. At that time, Acting Chairman Evans and Commissioners Wahlberg, Newbrook, O’Connell, Pearson and Richard were present.  The fire service was represented by Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Arthur Laurenson of the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Newbrook and seconded by Commissioner Pearson 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 July 20, 2000 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 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the July 20, 2000 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 grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-2(e) in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing remote exits through the kitchens of this facility.  This variance is granted on the basis of structural hardship.

2. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-2(f) in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing separation between the living units and the exit access corridor.  This variance is also granted on the basis of structural hardship.

3. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-3(a) in order to allow stairway access through the kitchens of this facility.

4. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-3(d) in order to allow the Applicant to provide the existing apartment door jambs with approved solid core wood doors maintaining an approximate fire rating of 20 minutes.  Above doors shall be further equipped with spring-loaded hinges and installed at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within 120 days of the date of this decision.

5. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-5 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing construction and rating of the cited interior stairways within this facility.  In granting this variance, the Board directs the Applicant to provide the cited wainscoting with an approved Class-A finish, and to further seal off all holes at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within 120 days of the date of this decision.

6. The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency 6 by providing the cited stairways with approved handrails installed at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within 120 days of the date of this decision.

7. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-5 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing winding stairways within this facility.  This variance is granted on the basis of structural hardship.

8. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-6 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain the existing swing of the exterior entry doors.

9. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of section 23-28.16-6 in order to allow the Applicant to provide the doors outlined in item 4 above.

10(a). As a condition of the variances granted herein, the Board directs the Applicant to provide this facility with approved exit signs and emergency lighting, as deemed necessary by the Providence Fire Marshal, within 120 days of the date of this decision.

10(b). The Board hereby directs the Applicant to correct deficiency 10 by providing the cited wainscoting with approved Class-A finish at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within 120 days of the date of this decision.

11. As a condition of the variances granted herein, the Board directs the Applicant to provide this facility with approved local fire alarm system and interconnected smoke detector system installed at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Marshal within 120 days of the date of this decision.

12.(Listed as item 15)  It is the understanding of the Board that the Applicant has corrected this deficiency by removing the cited debris.

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)].

Decision was mailed on 8-16-01.