Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12031992 BSC Minutes• BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1992 6:30 P.M. The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, in the City of West University Place, on December 3, 1992, for a regular session with the following regular members present: Nicholas Aschliman - Chairman, Susan Freeman, Craig DuCote, and Carolyn Hodgins. Also present were Alternates: Dale Reid (whose vote replaces that of Drew McManigle who was not present), Jeann Howse and Margaret Wallis. Also present from the City were Ed Beasley, Building Official, Susan Thorn Building Secretary and Fire Chief Terry Stevenson. HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None Present. CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3702 ARNOLD EAST 5' OF LOT 20 AND ALL OF LOT 21, BLOCK 2, SUNSET TERRACE #7: • Bill Scott, Owner and Homebuilder of the property was present. Mr. Beasley explained that the plans for this house were permitted under the 1988 Southern Standard Building Code. The approved plans show a handrail on the stairs located at 36" which complied with the 1988 Code, allowing a handrail to be located between 34" to 38". The handrail actually averages between 31" and 32", which would be allowed under the 1991 Code which has since been adopted by the City. Since the house was permitted and construction began under the old 1988 Code the rules of the 1988 Code still apply. Mr. Scott is asking for a variance to 1988 Code. The handrail as now constructed does in fact comply with the newly adopted 1991 Southern Standard Building Code. After some discussion Dale Reid made motion to grant the variance to allow the hanclrail,to remain as it complies with the present Building C~de. This motion w~s seconded by Susan Freeman. Voting was unanimous. . f~ Voting No: None _ . CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY LUI;ATED AT 3201 UNIVERSITY, LOT 6,7 & 8, BLOCK 21, WEST UNIVER:SITY PLACE ADDITION: ~ Nick Aschliman explained that~this is a carry over item from the ~ November 5, 1992 meeting. He explained that the Board at the last meeting had requested the applicant's architect and homebuilder consult with a fire and safety ofFicial concerning this matter. The owner of the property Dr. Jean Cukier, Tommy Thomps~n, Field Superintendent for the project and Randy Hick~y, Architect were nresent. ~ - .; ~ Randall Hickey of Melton Henry, Maurice Robison Inc. the Architect for the project explained that he met with Michael Crowely of Rolf Jensen & Associates a fire protection engineering firm and they had a walk-through of the residence. He presented a letter written by the fire safety engineer Michael A. • Crowely which contains Mr. Crowely's findings. A copy of this letter is included with these minutes. Mr. Hickey also presented a letter from Lighting Associates~ Inc. from Mr. John Bos which gave more information on the dimmer panel for the lighting system for the house. A copy of this letter is included with these minutes. Quoting from the letter from Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc. he explained that they were willing to add a smoke detection system within the access area to the roof hatch. Mr. Hickey presented a full set of prints of the house. He explained that the board members only saw segmental prints of the house at the previous board meeting. He explained that there are more than one means of egress of of the building. The building is all glass on one side. This glass could be easily shattered by the Fire Department in case of the fire. Chief Terry Stevenson explained that he is opposed to the design as there are no operable windows in the bedrooms. The windows in the bedrooms are too high. In the event that a fireman broke through the windows to rescue someone trapped in the house they would have an seven foot drop to the floor and how would a firefighter be able to get back out of the window. He also was opposed to the one escape hatch located in a closet area. He said in all fire prevention and fire safety classes the one most important thing that is taught, is not to go to a closet to get away from a fire. He stated that a secondary means of egress is for both entrance and • exit. He has a problem with this configuration since it is not providing what code calls for. The windows that are seven feet off of the ground are not a secondary means of egress. Dr. Jean Cukier explained that he could change the doors to glass doors to the egress area. Carolyn Hodgins stated that there would be no way of preventing someone from hanging curtins across the doors or replacing the glass doors with solid doors. Craig.DuCote pointed out.that the original approved plans were deviated from without~`City approval. ~ ~. , Tommy Thompsen stated that they could remove the.~oors to the closet area where the escape hatch was located and add a fire smoke detection system. Tliey can remove the hasp so that the hatch cannot be locked from the inside. ~ - ~ L_J ~ LJ After some discussion Margaret Wallis expressed the opinion that the revised set of drawings did not differ that much in the fact that there are still bedrooms emptying in an common egress area with escape hatches. She felt that the first set of plans which were approved by Mr. Perry did not meet code and neither does the new set. Nick Aschliman expressed the concern of the commission regarding the life safety factors and that this only be approved in fairness to the fact that this had been approved by the prior administration. Susan Freeman made motion to grant the variance to have one escape hatch in a common egress area from both bedrooms provided doors are removed. Motion was seconded by Carolyn Hodgins. Voting Aye: Nick Ashliman, Susan Freeman, Margaret Wallis, Dale Reid, Carolyn Hodgins. Voting No: Craig DuCote APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Carolyn Hodgins made motion, seconded by Susan Freeman to approve the minutes from November 5, 1992 with minor changes. All Voting Aye. UPDATE OF 3123 AMHERST: Ed Beasley stated that the dangerous structure (a two story garage) had been demolished. ADJOURNMENT: Craig DuCote made motion to adjourn meeting, motion seconded by Susan Freeman. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. CHAIRMAN ~ ATTEST: Secretary