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Location:  Legislation > Fire Safety Commission > Fire Code Commission Decision #98A002-124

Fire Code Commission Decision Summary

SUBJECT MATTER

The Inspection Orders call for action by the owner to address these contraventions.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES

The premises consist of two buildings under the same ownership but on separate properties. Both buildings have a mixed occupancy that includes mercantile, industrial and residential. Each building is a fully detached, two storey (plus basement) and of noncombustible construction. The east building is approximately 8,200 m² in area and the west building is 4,860 m². The exterior walls of each building are concrete block or insulated metal panel on steel frame. The floors of the buildings are poured concrete on metal pan on steel joists, beams and columns. The roofs are a built-up steel deck on steel joints, beams and columns. Sprinklers and a fire alarm system are provided throughout both buildings.

REASON FOR APPEAL

The owner needs more time to comply with the requirements.

APPELLANT’S POSITION

The appellant maintains that the orders are being remedied and more time is required.

RESPONDENT’S POSITION

The respondent maintains that too much time has elapsed in remedying the deficiencies, this situation is not in the interest of public safety and immediate action should be taken.

COMMISSION RULING

The tribunal affirms all Inspection Orders regarding items in contravention of the Fire Code and the Building Code. The appellant shall bring the following deficiencies noted in the inspection report into compliance:

For the west building:

• double slide bolts on the west side exit door from the billiard hall and the west exit door from the west side shared dock area (contravention of Sentence 2.7.2.1.(1) of the Fire Code)
• the northwest side 1st floor computer retail store has the south side access to exit door to the shared dock area barred by a locked gate (contravention of Sentence 2.7.2.1.(1) of the Fire Code)
• exit door with panic hardware accessing the exterior from the northwest exit stair has construction materials blocking it (contravention of Sentence 2.7.1.7.(1) of the Fire Code)
• storage on the bottom level of the south side exit stair and construction debris noted in the northwest exit stair (contravention of Article 2.4.1.2. of the Fire Code)
• minimum 18 inch clearance space is not provided between storage and sprinkler heads in the north side storage room of the sports store (contravention of Sentence 6.5.1.5.(1) of the Fire Code)

For the east building:

• storage room at the east side of the carpet retail store is not provided with sprinklers (contravention of Sentence 6.5.1.5.(1) of the Fire Code)
• 33 x 24 ft. ceiling area at the south end of the multi-row rack storage area is not provided with sprinklers (contravention of Article 6.5.1.1. of the Fire Code)
• east side exit door from the deli store is provided with both a thumb turn latch and a slide bolt (contravention of Sentence 2.7.2.1.(1) of the Fire Code)

All work shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Fire Department by September 18, 1998.

REASON

The tribunal recommends that the City investigate the appropriateness and deal with the residential occupancy for the second building forthwith. This occupancy has been in existence for some time with no assessment of fire and life safety. The appellant shall ensure that building permits are obtained for the construction and/or alterations of the residential units.

The tribunal expressed concern at the apparent disregard for the occupants of the residential occupancy exhibited by the owners by their lack of respect of the regulatory restrictions, which have been developed to protect the fire and life safety of persons in these occupancies.