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Kent/Jan Hillesland
Q From: "Debbera Coker"<Dlc@co.mason.wa.us>
To: "Kent/Jan Hillesland"<kentnjan@silverlin k.net>
Cc: "Craig Haugen"<CraigH@co.mason.wa.us>; "Larry Waters"<Law@co.mason.wa.us>
Sent: Tuesday,July 24,2007 8:28 AM
Attach: Debbera Coker.vcf
Subject: *****SPAM*****Patio door located at new kitchen
Hi Jan,
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 stat(on 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?
Debbera Coker
Mason County Building Department
Lead Plans Examiner
Phone: (360)427-9670 ext510
FAX: (360)427-7798
e-Mail: dlc@co.mason.wa.us
7/24/2007
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TO: Linda Ring Erickson, Mason County Commissioner - - 200!
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FROM: Grapeview Community Association COMMISSIONERS
DATE: July 29, 2007y.
We request your assistance in resolving a dispute with the Planning
Department. In February, 2005, we were granted permit COM200500023 to
enlarge and remodel the Grapeview Firehall. The original drawing as approved,
specified sliding glass doors from the meeting room to the patio. On October 24,
2006, the plans were revised to convert the meeting room to a kitchen. On
1/03/07 the project received a Certificate of Occupancy (also known as passing
final inspection). However, this approval was contingent upon Fire Marshall
approval. The Fire Marshall specified two requirements: 1) install alarm
activitated service disconnect on fixed cooking appliances, and 2) replace the
sliding glass doors with hinged doors which swing outward.
We appealed the hinged door requirement since the sliding glass doors were
approved as a part of the original permit. The appeal was rejected by Debbera
Coker, Craig Haugen and Larry Waters. What recourse do we have when we
construct the building as permitted and then are told we have to change it?
Because it will be very expensive to replace this door, add a covered porch, and
modify the patio, we don't want to do it unless there is no other option. It should
be noted that the kitchen has two other exits; one to the main meeting room and
one to the Day Room. We understand that only one exit is required. To remove
the door altogether and replace it with a blank wall or a window would also be
costly and would prevent convenient access to the patio.
Is there no other option? We don't mean to sound overly critical but the
department has this "my way or the highway" attitude. They come off like they
are never wrong and shouldn't be challenged. Well, they may make a mistake
now and then, and when they do it would be refreshing if they would be helpful
to their customers in finding cost effective solutions. Is there anyone out there
who is an advocate for the customer?
Attached are copies of the recent e-mail messages concerning this issue. We
would appreciate your review and comments on this problem. If necessary, we
request a variance for the sliding glass doors.
if you require further details, please contact Jan Hillesland at 275-4542.
Louise Okonek
President, GCA
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