HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppeals.Minutes.04-19-2002 MINUTES
BOARD OF APPEALS
City of Cape Girardeau
P.O. Box 617
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63702-0617
April 19, 2002
The Board of Appeals met Thursday,April 11, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City
Hall 401 Independence St..
Members Present: Dave Pfeiffer,Joe Burton, Farris Nabors,Tony
Sebek, Paul Grebe, and Dave Alberson.
Members Absent: Michael Annis (alternate) and Tom Phillips
(alternate)
Call to order at 7:05 p.m. by Dave Pfeiffer, Vice-chairman.
Roll Call.
re)
Motion was made by"Tony Sebek to accept the minutes from the Mardi 14, 2002 meeting. Dave
Alberson seconded the motion, motion passed 6-0 in favor.
Discussion of the 2000 International Fire Codes:
Mike Morgan, Fire Marshall and Mike Lackman, Fire Chief was present to discuss the
2000 International Fire Code.
Chapter 9 Fire Protection System. The board wanted to look over the exceptions for this
chapter from the last meeting. The Chief wanted to delete all the exceptions, which would
give die lire department more protection after these buildings are built. Presently the
designers can design the buildings to meet the exceptions without considering the lire
department in the design. After the last meeting the fire chief looked over the exceptions
to a greater extent after the board objected to deleting all exceptions in the chapter. He has
indicated a few sections with exceptions he would like to have amended.
Section 903.2.2 Group E. Exception: Where each classroom has at least one exterior exit
door at ground level. The reason for deleting this exception is because the chief said this
type of structure there should be no exceptions, this is an education structure and they
should all be equipped with automatic sprinkler systems.
Section 903.2.7 Group R-1. Exception: I) Where guestrooms are not more than three
stories above the lowest level of exit discharge and each guestroom has at least one door
leading directly to an exterior exit access that leads directly to approved exits. 2) A
residential sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be allowed
In buildings. or portions thereof;of Group R-1. This is another example where they could
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April 11, 2002
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install a R-13 for life safety for occupants and does not take in account the safety of the fire
department having to enter the building after the occupants are safely out of the building.
Section 903.2.8 Group R-2. Exception: A residential sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be allowed in buildings, or portions thereof,.of
Group R-2 The same examples pertain to this exception as in the previous exception in
section 903.2.7. The tire department still enters these buildings after the occupants are
safely out of the building, the firefighters needs protection also.
Section 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Where allowed in buildings of Group R,
up to and includinglour Stories In height, automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed
throughout in accordance with NEPA 13R. Chief Lackina.n would like this section deleted,
because this would eliminate all the 13R systems in the exceptions.
Section 903.3.5.2 Secondary water supply. A secondary on-site water supply equal to the
hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand, including the hose stream requirement, sign
C tegoiy C;D,E or Pas determined by the International Building Code. The secondary
water supply shall have duration not less than 30 minutes. Exception: Existing buildings.
This is a section required in high rise buildings only, is there any high rise buildings in
Cape? Yes the towers at SEMO are considered high rise.
Section 907.3.1.7 Group R-1 Exception: Buildings that have a single-station smoke alarms
rris meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 9072.10.1 and where the fire ahem
system includes at least one manual lire alarm box per floor arranged to initiate the alarm.
Delete this exception because once again there is life style issues at boarding and rooming
houses and early detection on all floors is critical, if only one fire alarm box is required,
they don't always use the door where the alarm box is located.
Section 907.3.1.8 Group R-2 Exception #1: Where each living unit is separated from
other contiguous living units by lire bathers having a lire-resistance rating of not less than
hour;; and where each living unit has either its own independent exist or its own
independent stairway or ramp discharging at grade. The fire chief indicated he felt this
exception was just too risky.
Section 907.3.1.9 Group 4 Exception #1: Where there are interconnected smoke alarms
meeting the requirements of Section 9072.10 and there is at least one manual fire alarm
box per floor arranged to sound continuously the smoke alarms. He also indicated he felt
this exception was just too risky.
Section 912.2 Location. Where respect to hydrants, driveways, building and landscaping;
lire (Apartment collllectlons shall be so located that lire apparatus and hose connected to
supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other lire apparatus. The
location of lire department connections shall be approved The fire chief would like to see
this amended to 75 feet instead of the present 100 feet, and language to include a strobe
light. The board indicated if the 100 feet presently used for this section, is not written in
ordinance form, then the ordinance should be rewritten. Mike Morgan will check on
information for the board if there is a city ordinance about the distance the connections are
located for access.
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April 11, 2002
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Tony Sebek indicated he had a problem with some of the exceptions because the designers
would not be aware of the exceptions being amended or deleted until the project was in
review by the city. Dave Alberson asked if all the changes could be provided in a condense
version so the designers could have the information before the review. Chief asked if the
changes could be added to the city's web site. Dianna will check on the possibly when the
codes has been approved. A board member asked about the 13R systems, the Chief said
he did not know the cost, but did know they were designed for quick installation. The
system is designed for protection of the property and not for the fire department to get in
the building. Dave Alberson would like to see the option of case by case basis before the
exception is deleted completely, maybe used for a smaller building.
Chapter 33 Explosives and Fireworks. Chief Lachman met with Eric Cunningham, City
Attorney for this meeting about deleting or amending sections of this chapter. Eric agreed
with the Board, the chapter could not be deleted. The chief has some recommendations
about amending sections of the chapter.
Section 3304 Put language for existing quarries to comply with this chapter and the NFPA
for storage and handling of explosive materials.
Section 3305 Manufacture, assembly and testing of explosives, explosive material and
fireworks it would have to say
Section 3306.4.1 Fire department recommends that the Group R-3 structures should be
deleted or amended.
Section 3306.4.2 Once again this section mentions Group R-3 structures, the Chief would
like to have this deleted or amended.
Section 3306.5.2.1 Storage of quantities for smokeless propellant, paragraph 3 and die
subsections, Chief believes 5,000 pounds is excessive amount for storage and for black
powder not to exceed 50 pounds.
Section 3306.4.1 The main objective is with the storage in Group R-3, in multi-family
storage should not be allowed.
Section 3308 Fireworks. There is an ordinance that covers fireworks; wording would need
to be changed in die ordinance. A memo will be sent to Eric about changing the city
ordinance about fireworks. The chief said the code would be amended with the city
ordinance in the fireworks section.
Chapter 1 Section 105 Permits. The information attained from other lire departments was
from the St. Louis arca. No fire department is following the true intent of the code for this
section; the city is using a permit system now for business licenses, but until more could be
trained for inspections this section will not be used as intended by the code. As for as the
fees the City Council would have to implicate with a vote, the board can only recommend
Ices for permits in the lire code.
Tony Sebek made a recommendation to amend Chapter 33, sections 3304, 3305, 3306.4,
3306.5.2 paragraph 3, 3306.5.2.2 would read not greater than 50 pounds and 3306.5.2.3
anything over 50,000. Tony made a motion of Chapter 33 of the 2000 International Fire
raN Code of the varies sections of deletions of explosives, small arms ammunitions and small
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April 11, 2002
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arms powder recommend by the Fire Chief. Dave Alberson seconded the motion, motion
passed 6-0 in favor.
Tony Sebek made a motion to amend Chapter 33 of the 2000 International Fire Code,
section 3308 Fireworks Display; but Tony rescinded this motion for Chapter 33. The
Chief suggested it should be Section 3301.1.3 of Chapter 33.
Tony Sebek made a motion for Chapter 33, section 3301.1.3 Fireworks. Deleting
exceptions 1 and 2, and amending exceptions 3 and 4 to the city ordinance on fireworks.
Farris Nabors seconded the motion, motion passed 6-0 in favor.
Chapter 9 Fire Protection Systems. Dave Alberson made a motion to modify Chapter 9
with the following changes:
903.2.2 Eliminate the exception. Where each classroom has at least one exterior exit
door at ground level
903.2.7 Eliminate exception #1. Where gziestrooms are not more than three stories above
the lowest level of exit discharge and each guestrooln has at least one door leading
directly to an exterior exit access that leads directly to approved exits.
903.2.8 Eliminate the exception. A residential sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be allowed in buildings, or portions thereof;of Group
R-2.
903.3.1.2 Delete this section. NFPA 13R sprinkler systems; Where allowed in buildings
of Group R, up to and including four stories i i height, automatic sprinkler
systems shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 R.
903.4.2 Amend section to include visual and audible signals. Alarms:Approved audible
devices shall be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler
water-flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a
single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed In the system. Alarm devices
shall he provided toll the exterior of the building in an approved location. Where
a lire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall
actuate the building fire alarm system.
907.3.1.7 Delete the exception. Buildings that have single-station smoke alarms meeting
or exceeding the requirements of Section 9072.10.1 and where the fire alarm
system includes at least one manual lire alarm box per floor arranged to initiate
the alarm.
907.3.1.8 Delete exception #1. Where each living unit is separated from other contiguous
living units by fire barriers having a fire-resistance rating of not less than hour,
and where each living unit has either its own independent exit or its own
Independent stairway or rasp dischwgung at grade.
907.3.1.9 Delete exception #1. Where there are interconnected smoke alarms meeting
the requirements of Section 907.2.10 and there is al least one manual lire alarm
box per floor arranged to sound continuously the smoke alarms.
Tony Sebek seconded the motion, motion passed 6-0 in favor.
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April 11, 2002
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Tony Sebek made a motion to recommend the adoption of the 2000 International Fire
Code, with the exceptions noted. Dave Alberson seconded the motion, motion passed 6-0
in favor.
Discussion opened on the 2002 National Electrical Code, does the board want to include
the 2002 NEC or stay with the 1999 NEC? The board previously approve the adoption of
the 1999 NEC should they now switch to the 2002 NEC, since the new code books is now
an option. If they would stay with the 1999 version they would always be at least two years
behind in adopting the newest code. The major changes were in the 1999 code book and
Dave Pfeiffer found very kw changes to the 2002 version. All references to the 1999 NEC
in the building code would have to be changed to 2002 NEC. Tony Sebek made a motion
to adopt the 2002 National Electrical Code and all references to the 1999 National
Electrical Code amended to the 2002 National Electrical Code. Farris Nabors seconded
the motion, motion passed 6-0 in favor.
Discussion of the recommendations for the procedure for Adopting New Codes. Dave
Pfeiffer indicated he had a problem with a couple of the recommendations, not enough
board member to create sub-committees to review codes; and item #5 if not completed in
six months the codes would automatic would be adopted. This procedure will be saved
until the 2003 Codes are available, and further discussion can be tabled until then.
r4)
Being there was no other business at this time, a motion was made to adjourn. The
meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. The next meeting of the Board of Appeals is scheduled for May
9, 2002.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Alberson
Secretary