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Home My WebLink About11-10-04 Special Called Meeting of the La Porte Fire Review Board Minutes ORIGINAL CITY OF LA PORTE FIRE CODE REVIEW BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 13, 2004 Members Present: Richard Browder, Bryan Moore, Tom Handy, Tom Hayes, and Floyd Craft Members Absent: Jim Suber, Louis Heintschel, Emery Farkas, and Sam Brechtel Staff Present: Interim Planning Director, Wayne Sabo; Fire Marshal, Laurie Christensen; Chief Inspector, Mark Huber; and Secretary, Peggy Lee 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:37 P.M. by Chairperson Richard Browder. 2. CONSIDER APPEAL #04-01 REQUESTED FOR PROPOSED NEW CONSTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AT 9601 FAIRMONT ADJACENT TO THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, APPEAL IS IN REFERENCE TO DECISION MADE BY FIRE MARSHAL TO REQUIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM BE INSTALLED PER ORDINANCE 603.15.9. THIS APPEAL IS BEING SOUGHT UNDER THE TERMS OF SECTION 105.3 OF THE SBCC11994ed. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen reviewed Appeal Request #A04-01 as outlined in the Fire Marshal's Report dated October 4, 2004. The applicant has requested an Appeal to the Fire Marshal's decision to require installation of a sprinkler system for new construction at the First United Methodist Church, 9601 Fairmont Parkway. PROPONENTS Melissa Centanni and Tom Baker, Architects with the SLI Group, addressed the Board. They are working with the First United Methodist Church on the planned construction. Ms. Centanni and Mr. Baker listed their reasons for why they feel the Appeal should be granted to allow construction without a sprinkler system. The facts represented were outlined in a slide show (printed document attached). Mike Clausen, La Porte citizen and member of First United Methodist Church, addressed the Board. Mr. Clausen feels that the City has not always interpreted codes consistently in the past. He believes if this is a life safety issue, then a monitored fire alarm system would be more effective than a sprinkler system. Mr. Clausen mentioned the library has the same occupancy rating and does not have a sprinkler system. Danny Wayman, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, feels his group is interpreting the codes correctly and the plan is safe as designed by the SLI Group. OPPONENTS There were no opponents The following was noted by Ms. Christensen: Fire Code Review Board Minutes of 10-13-04 Page 2 of 2 . The assembly occupancy was not based on the Life Safety Code, but rather the Building Code. . The interpretation is that with the new construction, this will become one building with one address. . Plans were never forwarded; they were not received until August 27. It was never the intention to change anything or cause any grief. . Fire alarm systems notify people to get out of the building. Sprinkler systems put out 97% of fires before firemen arrive. . Staff's decision is based on the ordinance requirements for assembly occupancy. Ms. Centanni stated the difference of opinion is because there are no definitions for Assembly types A, B, and C within the City of La Porte amendments. With regard to the plans not being forwarded, she visited the City in February and proceeded with the answer she was given at that time. Interim Planning Director, Wayne Sabo, noted the Fire Marshal's assessment was based on a verbal conversation and not a formal plan review. With regard to definition, staff interpreted the definition from the Building Code. Staff believes they have interpreted the ordinance correctly. They do not dispute the safety of the building with the four-hour firewall. Board Members took no action of the Appeal and requested additional time to review the material. The Board will meet again on October 20, 2004, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers to consider the Appeal Request. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M. Approved on this .,2,0 day of Oc./;J;vr- k~Pv. ~A--- Richard Browder Chairperson, Fire Code Review Board ,2004. "- TEMPLO BAUTISTA City of La Porte La Porte, TX 77571 ~ To Whom It May Concern: We the members of Templo Bautista would like to appeal the City of La Porte Ordinance in installing a sprinkler system in our new sanctuary located at 421 South 15th Street (7,300 sq ft.) We are a small congregation of 138 members. We wanted to know it if it's a citywide ordinance why was 1 st United Methodist Church (10,000 sq ft.) not required to install a sprinkler system and Zion Hill Baptist Church, being a small church congregation like Templo, had to install one. Please explain the reasons why some churches are required by The City of La Porte to install sprinkler system and others are not abide to! Thank you for your time, may God bless you and give you the wisdom. ~~~~ astor, Jorge Reynaga 281-471-4265 Home 281-726-0985 Cell 421 S( IUllI 15111 STI<l-1T*l'OllilX 1411 *1.'\ PORn, j'l'XAS '7^/''i71 ~ ~1l1-47I'.65(>7'P.\S I'llk .fUkl il L IO:YNM;" ....Jl:::,LA=:1RE ..... OFFICE Laurie 1. Christensen, CFI Fire Marshal POUCE City Of La Porte Fire Marshal's Office BUILDING PLAN REVIEW FOR TEMPLO BAUTISTA DE HABLE ESPANA 421 South 15th La Porte Texas 77571 The following items were identified during the plan review for this project on 08/30/04. ~ Exit light must be installed at main entrance ~ There is no indication of sprinkler system drawings - are they forthcoming? ~ Sprinkler system must be monitored offsite ~ Hydrotest must be performed prior to ceiling tiles being installed ~ Fire Lanes will be determined with the project engineer or the building owner during building phase. Any questions please contact the Fire Marshal's Office. 604 West Fairmont Parkway La Porte, TX 77571 Office: 281-867-4603 Fax: 281-842-1868 1994 STANDARD FIRE eOl .~MENDMENTS cont. PAGE 14 OF 28 603.9 Detailed Installation Requirements Revised to read: 1. When a building has a sprinkler system and/or standpipe system installed for fire protection. regardless if it is required or not by the building code or fire code. the system shall be a wet system. The design and installation of the sprinkler system shall be as per NFIPA #13 specifications. The design and installation of the standpipe system shall be as per NFIPA #14 specifications. 2. When a sprinkler and/or standpipe system has been installed in a building and the occupancy changes to a occupancy not requiring said system. the system must remain in proper installation and operation or the system must be removed. (ORD. NO. 98-2222, S 2-9-98) . . 603.11 "Dry Standpipes Revised to read: ,- When in the opinion of the fire chief and fire marshal a wet standpipe system would be detrimental to the occupancy. contents or process. a dry system or other NFIP A approved fire protection system may be installed. (ORD. NO. 98-2222, S 2-9-98) , ~ ,..--..". '--""'603~15" '" A~tomatic'Sprinkler'Sysfemi -. ....... ..-.-.....-...--.-- '" . --" ...... -.,....... ...-.- ...-.-..-.-..-. -.--.-.........- ". .~.._.. '-'-,.. . . ". . . . . . . ~'. .... . '.-. -.. ..... --_. ..-. - -. -' .. . -._ _n._ ._. .. o. "__. _. _.__. '.._ ... .. .. ... _.. __ ......._....,~ .. .. . .. . _...~. .._ _ .. ._.. . . ... .-.\ ..... -- .._._.~..-....-. '-'... -......---- - '--. . -. -.--.-... ---- .... . .. ... -.~. --.- .. ADDED NEW SUBSECTION: 603.15.8 Dry Sprinkler Systems . . When in the opinion of the fire chief and fire marshal a wet sprinkler system would be detrimental to the occupancy. contents or process. a dry system or other approved fire protection system may be installed. (ORD. NO. 98-2222, S 2-9-98) ADDED NEW SUBSECTION: 603.15.9 Additional Required Automatic Sprinkler Systems In addition to any other fire and/or building code requirements the following occupancies shall be totally equipped with a sprinkler system. 1. ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES (A) . All Class A assembly occupancies. 19$4 STANDARD FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS cant. PAGE 15 OF 28 (B) When a Class B assembly occupancy is located in a building above the leve~ of exit discharge, the entire building shall be equipped with a sprinkler system. (C) When a Class C assembly occupancy is located in a building two (2) stories or more above the level of exit discharge, the entire building shall be .equipped with a sprinkler system. 2. BUSINESS OCCUPANCIES A business occupancy 3 stories or more in height shall be totally equipped with a sprinkler system. 3. RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES (A) Hotels, motels, dormitories or lodging or rooming houses 3 stories or more in height, with exterior means of egress, the entire building shall be totally equipped with a sprinkler system. (B) Hotels, motels, dormitories or lodging or rooming houses 2 stories or more in height, with interior means of egress, the entire building shall be totally equipped with a sprinkler system. (C) Apartment buildings, townhouses and condominiums 3 stories of'more in height, with exterior means of egress, the entire building shall be totally equipped"'fiith a sprinkler system. ' , ,t;.:~;:;:,i}' (D) Apartment buildings, townhouses and condominiums 2 stories or:n:(qreJ in height, with interior means of egress, the entire building shall be totally equipped'\vith a sprinkler system. (ORn. NO. 98-2222, ~ 2-9-98) ADDED NEW SUBSECTION: 603.15.10 Flow and Tamper Switches All buildings totally equipped with a sprinkler system shall have installed at each riser, an approved electrically supervised waterflow and tamper switch. These switches shall transmit an alarm to a fire alarm panel located in the building. The fire alarm system, which has been installed as per NFIPA #72 specifications, shall transmit an alarm (no automatic dialers) to the fire department dispatch office by way of a fire alarm monitoring service or direct telephone line. (ORD. NO. 98-2222, ~ 2-9-98) - Laurie 1. Christensen, CFI Fire Marshal City Of La Porte Fire Marshal's Office 11/2/04 Wayne, Here is a timeline of information regarding the letter of appeal from the fire review board for United Methodist Church. The letter was signed on Friday; I do not know what day Peggy typed it up. The Chairman (Richard Browder) works a regular job and got by here as soon as he could, but note staff not only had verbal conversations they also had met with the architect representative prior to his signing of the appeal letter. No work was upheld or slowed; the fire review board letter is only for fmal sign off of plans, which were just submitted today. · October 20th - Fire Review Board Meeting - approved appeal · October 21 st - 9:43am Mark Huber spoke with Alan Balies (SLI) and told him that they were given the ok to build without a sprinkler system. · October 28th - Philip Creamer, Mark Huber, and Alan Balies met to review the plans and ensure all parties were in agreement. · October 29th - Richard Browder signed letter given to our office by Peggy · November 2nd - Plan corrections submitted with letter to Fire Marshal from SLI resolved issues. · November 2nd - Attached letter mailed out (Was signed Friday) 604 West Fairmont Parkway La Porte, TX 77571 Office: 281-867-4603 Fax: 281-842-1868 ...-- -;:O.~~ - Established 1892 October 26, 2004 Melissa L. Centanni, AlA SlI Group, Inc. 10200 Old Katy Road Houston, TX 77043 CERTIFIED MAIL #700331100001 73373119 Re: Appeal of the Fire Marshal's Decision #04-01 Dear Ms. Centanni: ,""- On October 20, 2004, the La Porte Fire Code Review Board met to consider your appeal of the Fire Marshal's decision to require a sprinkler system be installed at 9601 Fairmont adjacent to the First United Methodist Church. The Board granted your Appeal of the Fire Marshal's Decision #04-01, which allows construction without installation of a sprinkler system. As per Section 105.3.3 of the 1994 SBCCI Fire Code, Decisions are Final. Every decision of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall be final/subject however to such remedy as any aggrieved party might have at law or in equity. Should you have any questions about the Board's action, please contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 281-470-5078. Sincerely, ~lJ~ Richard Browder Chairperson, La Porte Fire Code Review Board c: Mayor and City Council Debra Feazelle, City Manager John Joerns, Assistant City Manager John Armstrong, Assistant City Attorney Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building Official La Porte Fire Code Review Board Members 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy. · La Porte, Texas 77571 . (281) 471-5020