Fire Code Commission Decision Summary
DECISION NO.:90A016-070
DATE:May 28, 1991
SUBJECT MATTER:
Installation of a twenty minute fire rated or a 1-3/4" thick solid core wood door, equipped with a self-closing device: laundry room, storage room, and all suite doors leading into the front stairway.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES:
The building is two storeys with a basement. The exterior and interior walls are constructed of wood studs and plaster. The doors to the apartment suites and the storage room appeared to be hollow core wood doors. The basement floor contains a one-bedroom apartment, a laundry room, a furnace room and a storage room. The main and second floor each contain a two-bedroom apartment which occupy the entire floor area. There is a common exit stair leading directly to the front entrance of the building serving all three levels. The main floor and basement apartments are also served by a common interior stair leading to an exterior exit door at grade level at the rear of the building. The second floor apartment is also served by an exterior stair leading from the balcony down to grade. There are smoke alarms in all apartment units and in the laundry room.
REASON FOR APPEAL:
Order is requesting unnecessary changes.
APPELLANT'S POSITION:
The appellant feels that since the building met all requirements at the time of its construction, there is no need to make changes now. Also, the doors and frames in the furnace room and the laundry room are in their original condition without damage. Further, each apartment has two exits: by way of a common stairway or a private exit in each apartment at the rear providing direct access to the outside.
RESPONDENT'S POSITION:
This work is required as the integrity of this exit is primary to life safety considerations.
COMMISSION RULING:
The Commission modified the order.
The owner shall install a twenty minute fire-rated or a 1-3/4" thick solid core wood door and frame, equipped with a ULC self-closing device, from the laundry room and the storage room to the front stairwell at the basement level and ensure proper latching.
In addition, the owner shall ensure that all other suite entry doors to both the front and rear stairwells are fully fitted to the opening, close tightly and have proper latching.
REASONS:
The Commission feels that this work is necessary for the life safety of the residents and the property.
