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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-05 Scheduled Meeting of the La Porte Fire Code Review Board CITY OF LA PORTE FIRE CODE REVIEW BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 8TH, 2005 Members Present: Richard Browder, Bryan Moore, Tom Handy, Floyd Craft, Tim Bird, Tom Hayes, Paul Hickenbottom, Jim Bridge, Lynn Green Members Absent: None Staff Present: Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:12 p.m. by Chairperson Richard Browder. 2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS Richard Browder introduced all of the new Board members 3. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW MEMBERS Sherry Jennings administered the Oath of Office to Paul Hickenbottom, Lynn Green, and Jim Bridge. 4. CONSIDER APPEAL # 05-001 REQUESTED FOR PROPOSED NEW CONSTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AT 9529 W. FAIRMONT LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH. APPEAL IS IN REFERNCE 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 Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer reviewed Appeal Request # 05-001 as outlined. The applicant has requested an Appeal to the Fire Marshal's decision to require installation of a sprinkler system for new construction at the Life Community Church located at 9529 W. Fairmont. 5. APPROVE MINUTES FROM MEETING OF January 11th, 2005. Motion by Tom Handy to approve the Minutes of January 11th, 2005. Second by Floyd Craft. The motion carried. Ayes: Richard Browder, Bryan Moore, Tom Handy, Floyd Craft, TiFR Sire, Tom Hayes, f'atlllliel(el'lbeMeFRr Jim BFielg~ Lynn Green ~e , I None ,"" ~:S6 A..'os~^-.l... . T"\- 8:f'Ck. &f(e&t~- .yo . f\~ 0&5 (Yl , Nays: Abstain: Fire Code Review Board Page 1 of 4 PROPONENTS Pastor Alan Neel_- representing Life Community Church addressed the board. He introduced Mike Hanier with Electronic Security services, his daughter Abigail, and his construction company owner Mike Dittlinger. Pastor Neel pleaded to the Board why he feels the Appeal should be granted to allow the construction without a sprinkler system. His argument to not sprinkler the building included; · The structure meeting the Life Safety Code Section 8-3.5 exemptions #1 & #2 · Building on a cost basis · Installation of a state of the art Fire Alarm that will save lives · The new fire station #2 being closer than 3 minutes away · Cost of kids camp; he would rather spend the money on people than on the sprinkler system. OPPONENTS None Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer spoke again explaining the size of the assembly occupancy did not matter. What mattered was that the City ordinance required all Class "A" assemblies to be sprinklered. DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD Tim Bird - Asked the difference between Monitored and Supervised Alarm Systems · Philip Creamer - discussed difference and city requirements for off site monitoring of Sprinkler and alarm systems. · Mike Hanier - explained how Electronic Security Services monitor their systems and on fire protection systems for the HVAC system. Paul Hickenbottom - asked questions about concrete foundation to hold the four hour fire wall and if the structural supports were designed for the Fire Sprinkler systems. · Pastor Neel and Mike Dittlinger answered the questions. · Paul Hickenbottom requested the Interim Fire Marshal get information in writing from engineer on superstructure and foundation. · Paul Hickenbottom asked the Interim Fire Marshal to read the Life Safety Code 8-3.5 in to the minutes. · Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer read Life Safety Code sections 8-3.5 Jim Bridge - stated he was new and in the dark; did not have enough information to decide. Floyd Craft - Asked to have the four hour fire wall explained. Mike Dittlinger and Pastor Neel explained the four hour fire wall, fire door, and fire dampers for the HVAC system. Jim Bridge asked about wall penetrations - Answered by Mike Dittlinger & gave more info on HVAC protection. Paul Hickenbottom - explained past history of Life Community Church Sprinkler system - vs - four hour fire wall. Bryan Moore - had a question about the four hour fire wall but it was answered. Tom Hayes - Wanted to know the cost of the four hour fire wall- vs - the sprinkler system. · Pastor Neel and Mike Hanier answered that the cost was approximately the same minus the annual upkeep. Tom Hayes - wanted to know the annual upkeep cost of a sprinkler system. · Mike Hanier - $800 - $1000 annually over a 45 -50 year period. Lynn Green - Asked about the letter that Pastor Neel sent out, the 300 people rule in the life safety code and about the HVAC dampeners and detectors. · Pastor Neel spoke on his letter . Mike Hanier Spoke on the alarms system · Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer spoke on NFPA requirements for HVAC systems Lynn Green spoke about the problem of changing codes. · Pastor Neel spoke as to why he decided to make the appeal. Richard Browder - Accepted Pastor Neel's apology but expressed his offense to the letter. VOTE - The motion by Richard Browder to deny Appeal # 05-0001 to appeal the decision of the Fire Marshal to sprinkler the new building at 9529 W. Fairmont Carried. Ayes: Nays: Abstain: Bryan Moore, Tom Handy, Paul Hickenbottom, Lynn Green Tim Bird, Floyd Craft, Richard Browder Jim Bridge, Tom Hayes Pastor Neel - Thanked the Board and acknowledged that he will honor the boards decision and install the sprinkler system. Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer read Fire Code Section 105.3.3 6. REVIEW INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE The Review Board discussed the process of adopting the Fire Code and how they would like to complete the process. They decided to review the first 6 chapters at home then cover up to three chapters per meeting. By reading ahead the group will be prepared to move along on easy chapters. Large discussion by all on process and if they should start before given guidance by City Council. Paul Hickenbottom - Provided background on the Fire Code Review Board and how the last 4 codes and amendments were adopted. Interim Fire Marshal Philip Creamer will get with Wayne Sabo for guidance on pursuing the International Fire Code. The Fire Code Review Board does not want to waste time on something City Council does not want. 7. ADOURN Motion by Bryan Moore to adjourn. Second by Tom Handy. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Ayes: Richard Browder, Bryan Moore, Tom Handy, Floyd Craft, Tim Bird, Tom Hayes, Paul Hickenbottom, Jim Bridge, Lynn Green Nays: None Abstain: None Submitted by: Philip Creamer Interim Fire Marshal Approved on this day of ,2005. Richard Browder Chairperson, Fire Code Review Board Fire Marshal Report February 1st, 2005 Appeal Request #05-001 Requested by: Alan Neel, Pastor - Life Community Church Requested for: Appeal to Fire Marshal plan review requiring sprinkler system installation per subsection amendment 603.15.9 of the City of La Porte ordinances. Location: 9529 West Fairmont Parkway Project Description: The City of La Porte received revised drawings for the property at 9529 West Fairmont Parkway that is a new structure that will not be connected to the existing building. Building Information: This project involves the construction of a two story Church (13,078 S.F. first floor and 5,070 second floor) with a total of 18,148 S.F. The building will consist of type N, metal frame, and noncombustible construction. The building will have 4 hour fire wall dividing the church in half. This essentially creates two separate buildings according to the building and fire codes. One side of the structure will become a 10,140 S.F. two story business occupancy and the other side of the structure will remain an 8,000 S.F. assembly occupancy. The occupancy load available inside of the assembly occupancy is 752 people based upon the proposed semi-fixed seating. The facility can hold 1100 people based upon the rule of7 S.F. per person in an assembly without fixed seating. The semi-fixed (movable seats that secured together) seating is allowed under the life safety code section 8.7-9 This assembly occupancy part of the structure is a Type A-2 Occupancy as per Standard Building Code 1994ed., which by definition is a small assembly that includes theaters and other places of assembly with or without a stage requiring proscenium opening protection and with an occupant load of 1 00 or more persons, but with an occupant load of less than designated for Large Assemblies (1000 persons or more) Analvsis: Ordinance amendment 603.15.9 states: "In addition to any other fire and/or building code requirements, the following occupancies shall be totally equipped with a sprinkler system. Section 1. (A) All Class A assembly occupancies." NFPA 101, 1997 ed. Life Safety Code, Section 8-3.5 Extinguishing Requirements- 8-3.5.1 Buildings containing assembly occupancies with occupant loads greater than 300 shall be protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system. Fire Code Review Board Appeal Analysis Conclusion: Appeals: ATTACHMENTS: The Fire Marshal has determined that this proposed assembly occupancy side of the structure must be built with a sprinkler system meeting NFP A 13 standards. The system must be monitored at an offsite location. This was determined based on the local ordinance listed previously and the interpretation ofNFPA 101 1997ed. As per Section 105.3.1 Variances. City of La Porte Fire Code SBBCI 1994ed. The Board of adjustments and Appeals, when so appealed to and after a hearing, may vary the application of any provision of this code to any particular case when, in its opinion, the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice and would be contrary to the spirit and purpose of this code or public interest, or when, in its opinion, the interpretation of the fire official should be modified or reversed. As per Section 105.3.2 Action. The Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall, in every case, reach a decision without unreasonable or unnecessary delay. Each decision of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall also include the reasons for the decision. If a decision of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals reverses or modifies a refusal, order, or disallowance of the fire official, or varies the application of any provision of this code, the fire official shall immediately take action in accordance with such decision. As per Section 105.3.3 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. · Letter of Appeal from Life Community Church, Pastor Alan Neel Fire Code Review Board Appeal Analysis -"'''''It.':;~"'-''l';, COHb't[JNITY CHURCH January 4, 2005 Mr. Philip Crcamer Fire Marshal 604 W. Faimlont Pkwy La Porte, TX 77571 Dear Mr. Creamer, As Pastor of Li fe Community Church, I am requesting to bring another presentation before the La Porte Fire Code Review Board. This presentation will once again be to request a variance on the sprinkler system in the new building at 9529 Fairmont Parkway. It is our desire to not have to bring this mattcr into an appeal process with a higher court. In reviewing the minutes of the November 30th meeting of the Fire Code Review Board, it will be noted that three churches were requesting a variance on the fire sprinkler systems, of the three only Life Community Church was denied. All three decisions were made without any discussion or questions. We do have in mind the safety of our congregants, yet we all understand the cost and continucd maintcnancc of a sprinkler system. Please consider this request. /~\YOU,n n ~iaVNe\~ 9529 Fairmant Parkwav . I rtPnrt", T"VAO 77='71 n L.... _. '_ _ ...... n 'I II -." r.,-,..... ..