RJJ
Co-Founder
The last month or so has been one that has test my convictions to life Safety. I was called in to review a Group Home for some Mentally challenged people. Seems the State Health inspectors have allowed a property to be sub standard for a number of years. Last summer the license was not renewed and they needed a new CO from the local AHj. The BCO and fire Marshall had no idea of how to address this issue. As the alternate inspecter I was asked to review.
So I called a meeting with the State rep and the owner of the property. The property is large with two buildings that provide living quarters for around 21 to 23 people. As I arrived for the first time, for the meeting, I new before I entered the office that problems existed everyplace. As I listen to the dog and pony show from both parties I new that the property would need a new CO.
At the heart of the states position was the fact that not all residents were able to exit the building on thier own. So I ask for a fire drill to be conducted at another time. The issue was a change from a previously issue B occupancy issued by L&I in 1953 and revised in 1982 which is was able to document. The call now was to become an I2. No way could this place ever be an I2. Or at least with out a great deal of expense. Here are just a few of the details and non compliance issues.
1. No sprinklers! Yet the local Code had demanded them since the early 90's
2. Sub Standard fire alarm approved by the fire Marshall 6 months before.
3. almost no exit signs or emergency light. In fact several exit signs had been home made. Not you had to flick a light switch to turn the light bulb on.
4. Kitchen with a larger gas stove and oven with a large grill attached. Exhaust was a 35 year old fan blowing into a wall cavity that went I not sure. No suppression & the Hood was covering about 3/4 of the appliance.
I stop here!
The fire drill was conducted and at least one person had to be carried from a second floor bed room. The drill was confusion at best. Yet they are required to have them every month. One resident ask after both building had be drilled " Mr. Rich how did we do?" I quietly responded just fine. These are challenged people and some had expressed to me they just love thier home.
Sleepless nights and the final call no CO.
I was called into council regarding this issue on Monday to explain. With out pointing fingers at others I said in a long list of non compliant issues that it can't happen. The room was silent. My last words to the Council who knew this place had existed since the fifty's was two things.
First, these are the type of things we see on the news!
Second, With 40 years of experience and years of training and a pocket full of Certs, My job boils down to one very simple thing. " Every one goes home safe at night and if they are home they are as safe as I can make it when I left that job.
So I called a meeting with the State rep and the owner of the property. The property is large with two buildings that provide living quarters for around 21 to 23 people. As I arrived for the first time, for the meeting, I new before I entered the office that problems existed everyplace. As I listen to the dog and pony show from both parties I new that the property would need a new CO.
At the heart of the states position was the fact that not all residents were able to exit the building on thier own. So I ask for a fire drill to be conducted at another time. The issue was a change from a previously issue B occupancy issued by L&I in 1953 and revised in 1982 which is was able to document. The call now was to become an I2. No way could this place ever be an I2. Or at least with out a great deal of expense. Here are just a few of the details and non compliance issues.
1. No sprinklers! Yet the local Code had demanded them since the early 90's
2. Sub Standard fire alarm approved by the fire Marshall 6 months before.
3. almost no exit signs or emergency light. In fact several exit signs had been home made. Not you had to flick a light switch to turn the light bulb on.
4. Kitchen with a larger gas stove and oven with a large grill attached. Exhaust was a 35 year old fan blowing into a wall cavity that went I not sure. No suppression & the Hood was covering about 3/4 of the appliance.
I stop here!
The fire drill was conducted and at least one person had to be carried from a second floor bed room. The drill was confusion at best. Yet they are required to have them every month. One resident ask after both building had be drilled " Mr. Rich how did we do?" I quietly responded just fine. These are challenged people and some had expressed to me they just love thier home.
Sleepless nights and the final call no CO.
I was called into council regarding this issue on Monday to explain. With out pointing fingers at others I said in a long list of non compliant issues that it can't happen. The room was silent. My last words to the Council who knew this place had existed since the fifty's was two things.
First, these are the type of things we see on the news!
Second, With 40 years of experience and years of training and a pocket full of Certs, My job boils down to one very simple thing. " Every one goes home safe at night and if they are home they are as safe as I can make it when I left that job.
