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32A-255 (117) a t STATL. BUILDING CODE APPIEA S BOARD Docket #89-85 Date: September 26, 1989 the building and its occupants. Clearly, the five story addition would be required to meet the requirements of the present building axle, but thc: Appellant could leave the existing building alone and not inst.ali the sprinkler system. If allowed to consituct the additional one story to the existing twilding, the Appellant Nvili install a sprinkler system and make other fire safety related changes which will considerably upgrade the entire structure. The Board considers the fire safety of the building to be the factor causing the Board to grant the variance to Table 30.5. SO ORDERED The following Board Members were present and voted in the above manner: Chairman William P. Kramer Paul Piepiora Joan E Grover v A true copy attest, dated 1, Clerk Peter Larkowich Any person aggrieved by a decision of the State Building Code Appeals Board may appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction in conformance with Chapter 30A, Section 14 of the General Laws. STATL BUILDING CODE API'Lk S BOARD Docket #89-55 Date: September 26, 1989 Docket Number: 89-85 Dates of Hearing: June 29 and July l., 1989 The Appellant testified that he was the architect for the renovation of an existing hotel located in Northampton. The proposed renovations would be extensive and call for renovations to an existing building and the construction of a five story addition as well as the addition of a sixth story on the existing five story building. The building contains several types of building construction as the result of additions over the years, but because of a one story porch on the front of the building, the entire building must be classified as 4B construction. However, tite rain five story building is of type 2A construction. A recent addition on the rear of the building has joined the main building to an existing older building. The Appellant plans to add additional rooms on the roof of the main building and to construct a new five story addition to the main building which would contain additional rooms. According to the Appellant, it is not feasible to separate the existing buildings to create a series of buildings thorough the construction of fire walls. The Appellant indicates that this project would violate the height and area requirements of Table 305 and Section 2200.3.5 of the Building Code. In the opinion of the Appellant, since the building already exceeds the requirements of Table 305 but is allowed. to remain as a non-conforming. existing use, the Appellant feels that this proposed project will enhance the fire safety of the building due to the construction of additional safety features as a result of the proposed construction. The Appellant proposes to install complete fire suppression system throughout the building and to enhance the egress from the entire building by installing new fire doors at stairways and other egress points. The Appellant feels that these steps would more than compensate for the additional height of the existing building and will make the building a much safer place for occupants. The local inspector testified that he had reviewed the plans and feels that since the building c;irrently has no fire suppression system, that the requested variance meets with his approval since the Appellant will install a sprinkler system in this entire structure which will make it a safer place. Following testimony, the Board found that the inspector had correctly interpreted the requirements of the Building Code. The Board reviewed the proposed plans submitted by the Appellant and agrees that this is a Type 4B building without any fire suppression system. The proposed plans will exceed the height and area requirements and a variance to Table 305 would be required. Given the extent to which this building is in non-compliance with the Building Code, the Board considers the installation of a fire suppression system as of paramount importance and reviews the proposed additions in the light of the overall safety of �;� -� � =_; ��'t,.� ��fY�'�►'�/,�'`rr��J�'�.tt°�r�� �.,�•A�GQ.G�C11�'.C/?.f.1!C�C:tiCO :.� ,�y't .��e .. vcz• r> .r �rer• -44; Alichael S. Dukakis Governor ,F• Kentaro Tsutsumi jj.`"�' Chairman (617) 727-32(x) Charles J. Dinezio Administrator STATE BUILDING CODE APPEAL S BOARD Docket #89-85 Date: September 26, 1989 In accordance with MGL c143, Section 100 and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Bxli!dirg ende this Appeals Board has found the following: The appellant, Hotel Northampton, on June 7, 1959 appealed to this Appeals Board the decision of the Building Official, Town of Northampton dated May 22, 1989. On June 29 and July 11, 1989, a public hearing was held in Boston before members of the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards who acted as the State Building Code Appeals Board in which a majority of the said Appeals Board found in its opinion the enforcement of the Massachusetts State Building Code would do manifest injustice to the appellant and the relief requested would not conflict with the general objectives of the State Building Code and any of its enabling legislation. There were present at the said hearing: Bruce A Palmer, 212 Main St, 'Northampton Harold R Cutler, 165 Landham Rd, Sudbury Tristram Metcalfe, 150 Main St, Northampton 1t nCob� , CAW jW W- ,�f pp/ f% Michael S. Dukakis 'l�rvxo+sactc �1af� CAW Governor Kr ntaro Tsutsumi � � s 0'Q:/0'? Chairman ..y_-3204. t Coaries J. Dinezio Administrator STATE BUILDING, CODE APPEALS BOARD September 25, 1989 Tristram W Metcalfe 150 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 RE: Docket: #89-85 Property Address: Hotel Northampton Northampton, MA We are pleased to enclose a copy of the decision relative to the above-mentioned case wherein certain variances from the State Building Code had been requested. Sincerely, S( TE BUILDING CODE APPEALS BOARD E Pe er Larkowtc Clerk cc: State Building Code Appeals Board NNOW