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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11041993 BSC MinutesBUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION • / • V , y REGULAR SESSION 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993 6:30 P.M. The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Blvd. in the City of West University Place on November 4, 1993 for a regular session with the following regular members and alternates present: Drew McManigle, Chairman, Craig Hughes, Evelyn Dravis, and Roy Harper. Absent were Craig DuCote, Les Albin, James McDaniel, James Todd and James Collier. Also present from the City were Ed Beasley, Building Official and Susan Thorn Building Secretary. Hearing of Residents: None present. Consideration of property located at 3737 Robinhood, Lot 12, Block 1, Sunset Terrace a request for variance of 4" on headroom height over one stairway tread. Mr. Beasley, Building Official explained that the requirement for 6'8" on headroom over stairs is in Article 1108.7 of 1991 Standard • Building Code. A copy of the requirement is included with and attached to these minutes. Mr. Beasley explained that on the City approved plans the architect actually called out for a headroom height of 6'10". Mr. Beasley explained that when constructed the headroom was 6'4" over one tread on the stairs. The error was not discovered until a new inspector who is taller was at the house during the final building inspection. The inspector who had done the framing inspection was shorter and did not catch the mistake at that time. Mr. Beasley explained he spoke to the Fire Chief Terry Stevenson about this matter and Chief Stevenson told him when fire fighters have all their equipment on including their hats it adds about 5" to the fire fighters height. This would make a fire fighter who is 6' tall about 6'5" and the fire fighters would hit it either going up or down the stairs when fully suited. Mr. Beasley explained that all other inspections have passed and this is the only inspection that is holding up issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Laura and William Hale, Owners of the property explained the house is ready to move into. In order to correct this error there would have to be substantial changes made. Mr. Hale explained that if this had been caught at the beginning during the framing stage, it could have been easily corrected. The Hales explained that they are both short people and that only one member of their family is six foot tall. The Hales felt that this would not be a problem to ~ them and if they sold the house sometime later they could correct it at that time. . ~ ~• • Drew McManigle, Chairman explained in this case this was a Life Safety Issue and this could fall into a public policy issue. Mr. McManigle stated that then what happens is that next week someone could come in and request a variance for 5" over 2 treads and where does it end? It is the Builders responsibility to correct this and the problem exists now. He stated that Article 1108.7 should be upheld. Roy Harper stated as an Architect, he wished he could say that this would not happen again, but he knew that this has happened in many municipalities. Construction of a house is a complex procedure and it is hard to catch for the inspectors to catch everything. Mr. Hale stated that when he and his wife were in the process of building their other home in the County no inspections were made at all. Evelyn Dravis stated that she felt the life safety issue is important, but it was not equal in all cities. Drew McManigle explained that one of the things that the Building and Standards Commission tries to do is to enforce the Building Code in a uniform manner for all of the City's residents and for future residents and to provide at least a minimum standard. • Evelyn Dravis made a motion to deny the variance and give them a conditional Certificate of Occupancy to occupy the premises with the condition that the repairs would be made within thirty days. This motion was seconded by Craig Hughes. Al1 voting aye. Voting no. none. Roy Harper made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 7, 1993 meeting. This motion was seconded by Evelyn Dravis. All voting aye. Voting no. none. Craig Hughes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Roy Harper. All voting aye. Voting no. none. The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. ~~~~~~ • ~~~ ~CHA I RMAN ATTEST: v SECRETARY 1108 ;6 Width ~ 1108.6.1 ~Stairs shall be clear of all obs[ructions except projections no[ exce~.d~ng ~ t/2 inches (89 mm) at or below handrail height on each side. ~ See commentary for 1103.3.2. 1108.6.2 Wid[h of s[airs ~hall no[ decrease in the direction of exit lravel. As a general rule, reductions in width are not permitted along the path of travel in an exit since these reductions can bottleneck occupants and disrupt the egress flow. Exit stairs must maintain their required exit width from the point where the required width is established to the termination of the exit. When the termination of the exit is not at a public way, 1111.1.2 mandates that the required width be continued undiminished in the exit discharge. See also 1103.4.5. 1108.7 Headroom Stairs shall have a minimum headroom clearance of 6 ft 8 in (2032 mmj, measured vertically from the nearest nosing to the nearest soffit. This minimum shall be maintained for the full width of stairs and landings. Figure 1108.7 illustrates how this criteria is measured. ~J ~ 4 3 C ~ a t~ u FIGURE 1108.7 • 404 Standard Building Code Commentary/G ~ i . ,~ O O "'~ - Z ~ ~ D Z v ~ O c Z 0 D -.~ - O Z C~ ~ 6'8" Mf N. HEADROOM ~ ~ ~~ p ,a - ~ A ~ ~ r - ~ ~ ~ o~~~ ~ ~~~~ _ ~. _ ~ ~ ~. ~ ~- ~ ~ -c ~ ~i cn~~ _ -~ 4 Z ~~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ _ ~~ ~o ~ ~ ~