Frank
Registered User
Thanks JP I had offerred because I am more local .jpranch said:
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Help, please.....
- Thread starter oldred
- Start date
jpranch
Platinum Member
yep, understood. I'll send you a private message with their location.Frank said:
RJJ
Co-Founder
Seems like JP has it under control!
jpranch
Platinum Member
Well maybe. oldred contacted me via pm and I only made 1 call to their BO. Perhaps he can visit the site and get the first hand look at the situation to see if there is anything that can be done. I must say it speaks very well for the people of this forum that are willing to help someone in need. Thanks to all of you!:cowboyRJJ said:
north star
Sawhorse
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 4,596
# > < #
Thanks **jp** & **Frank** [ and others ] for your offers and input to
this posting.........We DO indeed have a fount of knowledge and compassion
on here !
# < > #
Thanks **jp** & **Frank** [ and others ] for your offers and input to
this posting.........We DO indeed have a fount of knowledge and compassion
on here !
# < > #
building built 1976, BOCA 1975 in effect. No remodel to stairs, and yes I've talked to code dept. and they say the steps are part of the sidewalk. I cannot see it. I've got copies of the code from IFC district office, and I still cannot see how the stairs are part of the sidewalk.
Msradell
Sawhorse
It certainly doesn't make any sense to call the stairway part of a sidewalk! Could you please provide a picture of the space in question?
fatboy
Administrator
Yeah, I am having trouble seeing stairs out of an apt. building being deemed as part of the sidewalk, AKA as the public way........
ndaniels
Bronze Member
I am with you, but maybe an image if possible. I know people are already on it with the AHJ but maybe a picture just for clarity. I keep wanting to think the stairs should be part of the egress path to the public way not part of it.fatboy said:
Francis Vineyard
Registered User
Where's the property boundary?
Note sections of the Virginia Construction Code are deleted to remove conflicts with the state code building regulations
Note sections of the Virginia Construction Code are deleted to remove conflicts with the state code building regulations
CHAPTER 46
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
Deleted
SECTION 3401 GENERAL
3401.1 Scope.
The provisions of this chapter and the applicable requirements of Chapter 1 shall control the alteration, repair, addition and change of occupancy of existing structures.
3401.2 Maintenance.
(Section deleted)
3401.3 Compliance.
(Section deleted)
3401.4 Building materials.
(Section deleted)
3401.4.1 Existing materials.
(Section deleted)
3401.4.2New and replacementmaterials.
(Section deleted)
3401.5 Alternative compliance. (Section deleted)
Last edited by a moderator:
Gentlemen, I'm near the end of my rope. I've researched extensively and City Hall won't even give me the time of day. They made a decision that the stairs is part of the sidewalk and won't budge. I went to the Fire Dept. this week, showed them a picture of what the City Inspectors are claiming to be a part of the sidewalk, namely the stairs, and I asked him if this follows code. I said do you really think the tenants would be safe from fire, smoke and fumes on the steps and he said "Yes!" He also mentioned the Bldg Inspector by first name...he had been on the phone with him before I showed up.
All my research clearly points that the "Exit Discharge" is indeed the stairway. I've copied numerous illustrations, text, etc. etc., but to no avail. They have installed a handrail and a light since the accident, but we want coverage for the teeth my husband lost as well as out medical bills. The landlord's insurance agency says no, there was no BOCA violation. The landlord owns so much property here in Lynchburg, even a bank. I'm preferring to think though that they are all acting in good faith. I did what you suggested Jpranch and phoned Mr. Saunders. I left a message and he never returned my call. I've emailed him and another inspector but they did not answer. I think the insurance company rep has been a bit of a pest, and I'm also paying the price. In the past I've only spoken to one of them on the phone. That's it. The 1975 BOCA applies, the bldg. went up in 1976. I need to tell you all that I'm not an old lady who forgets her last name. I retired as a Labor Relations Manager. Because of my work I was promoted to the top LRM position....in Watts, CA. I dealt with 3 unions to include grievances, arbitrations and contract negotiations. I had not know and comprehend contract language well. I'm only mentioning this to lend some credibility to my statements that after much research and reading BOCA codes, well I believe I've interpreted the language correctly. Now, that said, I'm not good with computers. I do have pictures that I would like to share with you and if I can figure out how to do that.....I will post. Thank you all for your kind comments. My husband, even though 72 years of age would still like to have some teeth ;-).
All my research clearly points that the "Exit Discharge" is indeed the stairway. I've copied numerous illustrations, text, etc. etc., but to no avail. They have installed a handrail and a light since the accident, but we want coverage for the teeth my husband lost as well as out medical bills. The landlord's insurance agency says no, there was no BOCA violation. The landlord owns so much property here in Lynchburg, even a bank. I'm preferring to think though that they are all acting in good faith. I did what you suggested Jpranch and phoned Mr. Saunders. I left a message and he never returned my call. I've emailed him and another inspector but they did not answer. I think the insurance company rep has been a bit of a pest, and I'm also paying the price. In the past I've only spoken to one of them on the phone. That's it. The 1975 BOCA applies, the bldg. went up in 1976. I need to tell you all that I'm not an old lady who forgets her last name. I retired as a Labor Relations Manager. Because of my work I was promoted to the top LRM position....in Watts, CA. I dealt with 3 unions to include grievances, arbitrations and contract negotiations. I had not know and comprehend contract language well. I'm only mentioning this to lend some credibility to my statements that after much research and reading BOCA codes, well I believe I've interpreted the language correctly. Now, that said, I'm not good with computers. I do have pictures that I would like to share with you and if I can figure out how to do that.....I will post. Thank you all for your kind comments. My husband, even though 72 years of age would still like to have some teeth ;-).
You might get a copy of where the property lines are for the building
You should be able to get it from the city or state
Compare the where the stairs are to the building property line, are they part of the building or part of the city sidewalk
Also contact a property attorney for advice along with showing him the property lines.
You should be able to get it from the city or state
Compare the where the stairs are to the building property line, are they part of the building or part of the city sidewalk
Also contact a property attorney for advice along with showing him the property lines.
Dumb and Dumber
I can't determine how to upload the pictures. I even tried an email, but then thought, who do I email it to? The building is square, 8 units in each building. You exit your apartment door and you are on a short passageway. The second floor has an outside stairway, with handrail. The first floor hallway leads to a path that the second floor joins, there is a short corridor for mutual use. The corridor ends outside the bldg. Right smack at the end of the building there is a stairway for everyone to use. The bldg is slightly up a hill so the stairs are required to go from uphill to downhill and the sidewalk. On the opposite side of the sidewalk is the street. The bldg. inspection department is saying that the stairs are not a means of exit discharge but rather part of the sidewalk. Also, please note, there was no lighting. The nearest light post was 94 feet away. There are 2 other bldgs. with stairs and they have had handrails and light poles going back to 1076. Every bldg in the complex, all 22 of them had light poles at the exit discharge except for the building we live in. We are the last bldg. in the circle and we figure the guys quit....a little early.
The landlord says he is just putting in a handrail and light now, not admitting quilt, but to be nice. I wouldn't make this up. If someone has an email address they are willing to pm me....I'll send some pictures. Thank you all for the time you have taken to help me.
I can't determine how to upload the pictures. I even tried an email, but then thought, who do I email it to? The building is square, 8 units in each building. You exit your apartment door and you are on a short passageway. The second floor has an outside stairway, with handrail. The first floor hallway leads to a path that the second floor joins, there is a short corridor for mutual use. The corridor ends outside the bldg. Right smack at the end of the building there is a stairway for everyone to use. The bldg is slightly up a hill so the stairs are required to go from uphill to downhill and the sidewalk. On the opposite side of the sidewalk is the street. The bldg. inspection department is saying that the stairs are not a means of exit discharge but rather part of the sidewalk. Also, please note, there was no lighting. The nearest light post was 94 feet away. There are 2 other bldgs. with stairs and they have had handrails and light poles going back to 1076. Every bldg in the complex, all 22 of them had light poles at the exit discharge except for the building we live in. We are the last bldg. in the circle and we figure the guys quit....a little early.
The landlord says he is just putting in a handrail and light now, not admitting quilt, but to be nice. I wouldn't make this up. If someone has an email address they are willing to pm me....I'll send some pictures. Thank you all for the time you have taken to help me.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
It's an LLC, whatever that is. You know I don't have a bone to pick with the inspection dept. Yes, I'm getting upset and tired of trying to be convinced that a stairway leading out of an apartment bldg is really a part of the sidewalk, but there is not much I can do about it. I can only persevere with the landlord's insurance company. We have no money to hire a lawyer. It comes down to my convincing the landlord's insurance company that they are not going to make stairway out of a sidewalk. Going to try again to post some pictures.
Stairway
View attachment 1004
I'm not sure if I've downsized a picture of the stairs or my Aunt Gladys......View attachment 1004
/monthly_2014_02/572953d1a039a_Picture36.png.fbf27c059ae5361787ee54e9520307f5.png
View attachment 1004
I'm not sure if I've downsized a picture of the stairs or my Aunt Gladys......View attachment 1004
/monthly_2014_02/572953d1a039a_Picture36.png.fbf27c059ae5361787ee54e9520307f5.png
Not a handrail specialist
But if it is an apartment building on private property
The sidewalk is on private property
All owned by the same person
In my mind it does not matter what you call it
The main question is should there be a hand rail ????
If it was required under the code the building was built to, just wonder why it was missed???
But if it is an apartment building on private property
The sidewalk is on private property
All owned by the same person
In my mind it does not matter what you call it
The main question is should there be a hand rail ????
If it was required under the code the building was built to, just wonder why it was missed???