Fire Code Commission Decision Summary
DECISION NO.: 90A022-067
DATE:February 27, 1991
SUBJECT MATTER:
Installation of a second exit to ground level from the basement; installation of interconnected smoke alarms with no disconnect switch on each floor and the basement.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES:
The structure is a two storey house with a basement. The occupants are five university students (one on the ground floor, three on the second and one in the basement). The building is classified as being of combustible construction. The exterior is brick veneer and the floor separations and partition walls are also of combustible construction. The basement contains a laundry room, furnace room, two storage rooms, a bathroom and a bedroom. The bedroom in the basement has a fireplace, two windows high on the wall and access to a cellar (storage room). The only means of egress from the basement is up a central staircase to the main floor at the kitchen area. The main floor contains a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and an eating area. The second floor contains three bedrooms and a bathroom. One bedroom leads to an open balcony above the ground floor eating area. A fire extinguisher is located on each floor. There is one smoke alarm located on the ceiling of the stairwell at the second floor level.
REASON FOR APPEAL:
Insufficient evidence to backup the issuance of the order.
APPELLANT'S POSITION:
The order is incomplete and contains no evidence of any findings which would lead the Fire Department to conclude that the property was especially liable to fire or that it was so occupied that it would endanger the occupants or the property.
RESPONDENT'S POSITION:
The building has no provisions for early warning and detection to alert occupants in a fire emergency and it lacks a second means of egress from the basement.
COMMISSION RULING:
The Commission modified the order.
The owner has two options to comply with the requirement for a second exit from the basement.
Option 1
The owner give a suitable written undertaking to the Fire Department that there will be no sleeping accommodation in the basement. If this option is selected by the owner, then the second exit from the basement is not required.
Option 2
If a suitable written undertaking is not provided to the Fire Department then the second exit from the basement shall be installed.
For both options, interconnected electric smoke alarms with no disconnect switch shall be installed in a manner acceptable to the Fire Department.
REASONS:
The Commission feels that this work is necessary for the life safety of the residents and the property.
