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Home My WebLink AboutCOM2005-00023 - COM Letters / Memos - 9/25/2007 r s ox 00 MASON COUNTY � DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Shelton (360) 427-9670 Belfair (360) 275-4467 Planning Mason County Bldg.1 411 N.5th Elma (360) 482-5269 P.O.Box 279 Shelton,WA 9&W Sf September 25, 2007 Louise Okonek Grapeview Community Association P.O. Box 16 Grapeview, WA 98546 RE. Grapeview Firehall —COM 2005-00023 Dear Ms. Okonek This letter is written in response to an email you sent to Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson regarding the building permit for the remodel and expansion at the Grapeview Firehall. In your email you request assistance in resolving a dispute regarding the above referenced permit, specifically the revision involving a kitchen remodel in the Grapeview Firehall/Community Building. The dispute appears to include the requirement for replacement of a sliding glass door with a side-hinged door that opens outward. The requirement for a side-hinged, out-opening door in place of a sliding glass door is defined in Section 1008.1 of the International Building Code (see enclosed). This code section states that if a door is used as an exit, it must meet the minimum requirements of the code. A sliding glass door does not meet the minimum requirements. The approved plans for this project do not show a sliding glass door, but double doors instead. I have enclosed a copy of the approved plan showing the doors and note by our plan review staff that the door must be side-hinged and swing in the direction of travel. The revision for the kitchen remodel was approved based on the plans submitted by the applicant, showing a set of double doors. I think this is the point of confusion. When the final inspection was performed by the building inspector, the sliding doors were not installed, therefore the inspection was approved, contingent on the Fire Marshal approval and final sign off for occupancy. The Fire Marshal also noted the double doors in place instead of the sliding glass door at the time of his inspection for fire sprinklers. No notation was made, as the double doors were in compliance with the code for exiting. At the time of the final inspection by the Fire Marshal, it was noted that the sliding glass doors that had been installed since the previous inspection did v not meet the minimum requirements for exiting and would need to be either removed or replaced with doors that are side-hinged and open in the direction of travel.You stated in your email that only one exit is required based on occupancy load. While this is correct, the code specifically states that if a door is used as an exit, it must meet the minimum code requirements. In this case the sliding glass doors could be used as an exit, even with other exits, and specifically in the event of an emergency, access through this door would be obstructed, resulting in failure to adequately exit the room. White we understand your frustration, we have a responsibility as a public agency to protect the life, safety and welfare of the public through the application of the building and fire codes. We have read through both codes in search for a solution to this issue, but unfortunately there is no option available to us in this case that would allow the sliding glass door to remain, due to the fact the use of the room does not fall into a use that is exempt from the code requirements. I hope this help clarify the activities that have taken place to date. If you should have any questions, or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me directly by phone at 427-9670, Ext. 603 Sincerely, Barbara Robinson Community Development Director Cc: Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson Mark Core,Permit Center Manger Craig Haugen,Fire Marshal s �oN CO MASON COUNTY Shelton (360)427-9670 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Belfair (360) 275-4467 Planning Mason County Bldg.1 411 N.5th Elma (360) 482-5269 P.O.Box 279 Shelton,WA 98584 October 2, 2007 Jan Hillesland P.O. Box 627 Grapeview, WA 98546 RE: Grapeview Arehall/Community Center— Kitchen Remodel (COM 2005-00023) Dear Ms. Hillesland: Per our phone discussion on this date, I think we have come to an agreeable solution to the outstanding issue relating to the sliding glass door that serves as an exit from the remodeled kitchen area at the Grapeview FirehaEi/Community Center. In your letter to me, dated 9/26/07, you referenced a code section from the International Building Code (IBC) regarding exceptions to side-hinged exit doors. As referenced, Section 1008.1.2, Exception No. 9, states that,"In other than Group H occupancies, manually operated horizontal sliding doors are permitted as a means of egress from occupied spaces with an occupant load of 10 or less'. While this code section does exist in the 2006 IBC, it was not in effect at the time the permit for the kitchen remodel was reviewed and issued. At that time, the 2003 IBC was the code adopted and utilized. The County did not adopt the 2006 IBC until July 1, 2007. In an effort to resolve this issue and close the permit file on this project, at your request, we will apply the 2006 IBC to this project, allowing the exemption for exit doors allowed as noted in order to utilize the existing sliding glass door. Please note that the room will need to be physically posted to limit the occupancy to 10 or less as required by the Code. Thank you for your assistance in resolving this matter. I think we were able to resolve the matter that results in code compliance necessary to protect the fire, life and safety of the public. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact either me at 360-427-9670, Ext. 603 or Mark Core, Permit Center Manager at 360-427-9670, Ext 357. Sincerely, 4u 4u-, Barbara Robinson Community Development Director Cc: commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson Mark Core,Permit Center Manager TO BE KEPT IN THE PARCEL FILE PKl 1-2- k0 8 21 - bd 041 (�10/3/2007 Barbara Robinson MCFD#3kitchenrslidm ��lassdoors � Pa a 1 � From: "Kent/Jan Hillesland"<kentnjan@silverlink.net> To: "Barbara Robinson"<BarbarR@co.mason.wa.us> Date: 10/2/2007 4:29 PM Subject: MCFD#3 kitchen sliding glass doors Dear Barbara: Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter. It has been a long process and I, personally, appreciate your help and that of Debbera Coker. As the representative of the Grapeview Community Association's kitchen project I authorize the county to review the MCFD#3 kitchen sliding glass doors under the 2006 Code rather than the 2003 Code. The occupancy sign in the kitchen reads: "Occupancy 10"and we will adhere to an occupancy of 10 or under. If you need further authorization, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me. Jan Hillesland kentnjan@silverlink.net or at my home telephone# 275-4542 Page 1 of 1 Debbera Coker - Patio door located at new kitchen From: Debbera Coker To: Hillesland, Kent/Jan Subject: Patio door located at new kitchen -{.J ,,,,, CC: Haugen, Craig; Waters, Larry Zk Hi Jan, '!E�5 Craig, Larry, and I were able to meet late Monday afternoon to discuss your request. Our findings are as follows: 1)The patio door will be used as an exit from the kitchen. The Building code specifically states that egress doors shall be side- hinged swinging and swing in the direction of exit travel. In addition doors shall be equipped with doors and handles accessible to persons with disabilities and shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate. 2) Referencing WAC 296-305-6503, the Fire Marshal asked me to remind you that an auto-shutoff is required. Item #15 of the referenced section reads as follows: New stations containing a kitchen, and station kitchens remodeled after the date of this chapter, shall have an alarm activated service disconnect of fixed cooking appliances. We are finished with the approved plans. Would you like to pick them up or shall I mail them to you? about:blank 7/24/2007