Fire Safety Code, Rhode Island

Decisions - Details

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
(401) 889-5551 phone
(401) 889-5279 fax
711 TTY
FIRE SAFETY CODE - BOARD OF APPEAL AND REVIEW
560 Jefferson Boulevard
Suite 202
Warwick, RI 02886
DECISION
FILE NO.: 040397
LOCATION OF PREMISES: 1 Pier Marketplace
APPLICANT: Ms. Kimberly Moniz Growing Children of RI 1 Pier Marketplace Narragansett, RI 02882
USE OR OCCUPANCY: Day Care Centers
DATE OF DECISION: 2005-02-16
The above-captioned case was scheduled for hearing on at January 25, 2005, at 1:00 P.M.  At that time, Chairman Farrell and Commissioners Preiss, Newbrook, Pearson, Filippi and Burlingame were present.  The fire service was represented by Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Jonathan Smith of the Narragansett Fire Marshal’s Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Newbrook and seconded by Commissioner Preiss 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 June 24, 2004 inspection report compiled by the Narragansett Fire Marshal’s Office.  The above report was utilized by the Board, the Applicant and the Narragansett Fire Marshal’s Office during the January 25, 2005 hearing on this matter.  Accordingly, the Board hereby incorporates the June 24, 2004 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 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 or his or her designated Deputy State Fire Marshal or Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal)”.

CONCLUSIONS AND VARIANCE REQUESTS
	
1 through 4. It is the understanding of the Board that the Applicant has corrected deficiency 1, 2, 3, and 4 at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Narragansett Fire Marshal’s Office.
	
5. The Board hereby grants a variance from the provisions of sections 13.8.10.5.12 in order to allow the Applicant to maintain a single zone panel in the Director’s office with identical horn strobe devices in order to provide a separate fire alarm drill system for this area this area of the complex only.  The above system shall be installed at the direction and to the satisfaction of the Narragansett Fire Marshal’s Office.  In granting this relief the Board notes that the fire alarm system covering the entire complex has multiple zones with separate tenants.  Accordingly, conducting fire drills for the daycare unit of this facility will interfere with the business operation of the remaining tenants.  The Narragansett Fire Marshal’s plan of action for this facility would allow for realistic drills to be conducted without disturbing the operation of the other tenants within this facility.  In light of the above, the Board hereby approves the above plan of action.
	
6. It is the understanding of the Board that the Applicant has corrected deficiency #6 by providing the infant room with a door and doorknob that can open from the inside.

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)].

rhode island coat of arms A Rhode Island Government Web site