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Fire Code Commission Decision Summary

DECISION NO.:92A003-083
DATE:April 30, 1992

SUBJECT MATTER:

Compliance with the modified fire marshals order:
  1. Installation of a minimum fire separation of thirty minutes between dwelling units and installation of smoke alarms in each dwelling unit
    OR Installation of interconnected smoke alarms in both units between the sleeping areas and the remainder of the dwelling unit and in the service/laundry room.
  2. A partition between second floor stair and the living room be extended, made continuous, and have a minimum thirty minute fire resistance rating.
  3. Door between the garage and stair be provided with a twenty minute fire protection rating.
  4. Installation of a fire extinguisher in the service/laundry room and on each level.
  5. Door opening into the garage from the service/laundry room shall be tight fitting, weather stripped and be fitted with a self-closing device and latch set that will maintain the integrity of this fire separation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES:

The building is a 1200 ft² (110m²) semi-detached two storey with an attached garage. The exterior walls are wood frame with brick veneer on the first floor level and wood siding on the second floor level. The roof, second floor and interior walls are of combustible construction. The building has two dwelling units. The first floor has a dwelling unit with one bedroom, a service/laundry room (which contains the furnace) and a garage. The second floor dwelling unit has three bedrooms. The original split level entrance was modified to provide access from the second floor dwelling unit into the garage from where access can be gained to the service/laundry room. The separation between the service/laundry room and first floor living room consists of wood panelling only in most areas. The service/laundry room has no finished ceiling. The doors connecting the second floor dwelling unit, garage, service/laundry room and the first floor dwelling unit are unlabelled hollow wood doors in wooden frames with no closers. There was one smoke alarm per dwelling unit, however, only one sounded when tested. There were no fire extinguishers or emergency lighting found in the building.

REASON FOR APPEAL:

Does not agree with the order.

APPELLANT'S POSITION:

Appellant feels that the work contained in the order is unnecessary to ensure the safety of the occupants and does not agree with the order in its nature.

RESPONDENT'S POSITION:

The property is occupied such that fire would endanger the occupants because exits from the building are inadequate or improper.

COMMISSION RULING:

The modified order was upheld with the following modification: that a fire extinguisher be provided on each level, not just in the service/laundry room.

REASONS:

It is the opinion of the Fire Code Commission that this work is necessary to enhance fire safety for the occupants and the property since the property is being used as a multiple family dwelling unit.

If the property reverts back to a single family dwelling, this order will not apply.