HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-05 Scheduled Meeting of the La Porte Fire Code Review Board
CITY OF LA PORTE
FIRE CODE REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2005
Members Present:
Richard Browder, Bryan Moore, Tom Handy, Floyd Craft, and Tim Bird
Members Absent:
Tom Hayes, Paul Hickenbottom, Jim Bridge
Staff Present:
Deputy Fire Marshal Philip Creamer, Peggy Lee
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 6:25 p.m. by Chairperson Richard Browder.
2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Newly appointed members include Tim Bird, Paul Hickenbottom and Jim Bridge. Mr. Hickenbottom
and Mr. Bridge were not present.
3. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW MEMBERS
Peggy Lee administered the Oath of Office to Tim Bird.
(All members present were given an "Open Records" form to complete.)
4. APPROVE MINUTES FROM MEETING OF NOVEMBER 30th, 2004.
Motion by Tom Handy to approve the Minutes of November 30, 2004. Second by Bryan Moore. The
motion carried.
Ayes:
Nays:
Abstain:
Handy, Moore, Bird, Craft, and Browder
None
None
5. UPDATE FIRE REVIEW BOARD ON CURRENT STATUS OF FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE
Deputy Fire Marshal, Phil Creamer, updated the Board on the current status of the Fire Marshal's
Office, including the status of hiring a new Fire Marshal and possible future relocation of offices.
Mr. Creamer also spoke about the handout included in the packet "Activities of Fire Marshal's Office
for 2005." The plan is to continue working by the policies and procedures developed by Mr. Creamer
and former Fire Marshal, Laurie Christensen. More Fire Prevention activities will be added this year
and the Fire Marshal's Office will continue to assist the Emergency Operations Manager, as needed.
Mr. Creamer reminded Board Members of the appreciation meeting/dinner that will be held on
Monday, January 1ih.
Fire Code Review Board
Page 1 of 2
Dear Sirs;
COMMUNITY
CHURCH
9529 Fairmont
Thank you for your time and service to our
community. We at Life Community Church also
appreciate the opportunity in hearing our request
to review a variance on the sprinkler system at
9529 Fairmont Parkway, in our new building.
Some vital changes have been made in the plans
that meet the exception requirements in the 1997
Life Safety Code Handbook that is adhered to by
the City of La Porte.
Life Safety Handbook, Chapter 8- New Assembly Occupancies,
Page 292
8-3.5 Extinguishment Requirements
Buildings containing assemble occupancies with an occupant loads
greater than 300 shall be protected by and approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 7-7 as
follows;
(a) Throughout the story containing the assemble occupancy; and
(b) Throughout all stories below the story containing the assembly;
and
(c) In the case of an assembly occupancy located below the level of
exit discharge, throughout all stories intervening between that
story and the level of exit discharge including the level of exit
discharge.
Exception #1: Assembly occupancies used primarily for
worship with fixed seating and not part of a mixed occupancy.
(See 4-1.12)
Exception #2: Assembly occupancies consisting of a single
multipurpose room of less than 12,000 sq ft (1100 sq m) and
not used for exhibition or display.
Addressing the Exceptions
Exception # 1: The plans reflect that a four hour
fire wall is to be constructed separating the
sanctuary area from the office and classrooms.
Thus taking an area of 13,430 square feet and
subtracting it to 6,715 square feet on either side.
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6. DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES WITH REVIEW BOARD AND APPEAL PROCEDURES
",,-
Mr. Creamer discussed the possibility of changing the Board's official title to the "Fire Code Appeals
Board", or something similar, in order to be consistent with other named City Boards.
The Board discussed the issue. No motion was presented to change the current name of "Fire Code
Review Board."
Mr. Creamer reported on a new City Ordinance that will officially establish the "Fire Code Review
Board", state the Boards' purpose, and designate an appeals process. Mr. Creamer reviewed with
Members, the draft that was included in their information packet.
Members were asked to review the draft and provide comments to Mr. Creamer by Friday, January
14; he will be submitting an initial copy to management and legal for review early next week.
7. DISCUSS PROCESS OF ADOPTING NEW FIRE CODE
Mr. Creamer discussed the process for adopting a new fire code. The Board decided to review the
International Fire Code and amendments that have been adopted by at least four other municipalities.
They will present their findings at the February meeting and strive to make a recommendation to City
Council in March. If City Council requests the Board to review the NFPA 1, then they can do it at that
time. The Board anticipates adoption of the new fire code by May 2005. The fire code, life safety
code, and amendments should all be ready to be considered for adoption by April 2005.
Bryan Moore requested that all members receive a membership roster that includes phone numbers
and email addresses.
8. ADOURN
Motion by Bryan Moore to adjourn. Second by Floyd Craft. The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
Ayes:
Nays:
Abstain:
Handy, Moore, Bird, Craft, and Browder
None
None
Submitted by:
?li' ~
Philip creder
Deputy Fire Marshal
Approved on this f ff. day of ~1"'UCYl.j
La/~~L-
Richard Browder
Chairperson, Fire Code Review Board
,2005.
Ii!'
COMMUNI:TY
CHUR.CH
The sanctuary area will be used for worship,
meeting the requirements of exception # 1.
Interlocking chairs will be used for the seating.
Exception #2: With the installation of the four
hour fire wall, one building in essence becomes
two buildings each consisting of 6,715 square feet.
The 6,715 square feet easily falls within the
boundaries of exception #2.
Further Reasons
1. Construction of the new building is an all
metal building, with the interior construction
framed on metal studs. By and large the
building is constructed with non combustible
materials.
2. A state of the art fire alarm system will be
designed and installed by Electronic Security
Services. ESS is one of the oldest and most
reputable fire alarm installers in the greater
Houston area.
3. The new construction of La Porte's fire station
#2 will enable a response time to 9529
Fairmont Parkway of under three minutes.
4. The ongoing cost of inspections,
maintenance, repairs, and water damage on
a yearly basis is very expensive.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
The cong rega nts a nd staff of
Life Community Church
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