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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 1990-424CITY OF PLYMOUTH Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a _ regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Plymouth, Minnesota, was held on the 16th day of July , 19 90 The following members were present: Councilmembers Helliwell, Ricker. Vasi7iou and Zitur The following members were absent: Mayor Bergman Councilmember zitur introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION 90-424 RESOLUTION DENYING THE APPEAL OF THE GAUGHAN COMPANIES PERTAINING TO THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE. WHEREAS, the fire inspector for the City of Plymouth on March 17, 1989 ordered the Gaughan Companies, owner of the Harbor Lane Apartments, to install fire alarm horns in each individual apartment unit, laundry room, pool, and party room in the building by July 1, 1990; and, WHEREAS, the Gaughan Companies has appealed the ruling by the City's fire inspector; and, WHEREAS, the Plymouth City Code designates the City Council as the Board of Appeals for such an appeal. NOW, THEREFORE LET IT HEREBY BE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA as follows: 1. Whether the fire alarms at the Harbor Lane Apartments can be heard in the individual dwelling units constitutes a distinct hazard to life or property. 2. The Fire Code requires • that a fire alarm system be effectively heard above the ambient noise level obtained under normal conditions of occupancy. 3. The NFPA standards recommend that the sound level for fire alarm systems be at least 15 decibels above the equivalent sound level of 5 decibels above the maximum sound level. 4. The Public Safety Department has conducted tests in one unit of the Harbor Lane Apartments indicating that the equivalent sound level for that apartment is 56.8 decibels. Resolution No. 90-424 City of Plymouth July 12, 1990 Page 2 5. None of the apartment units tested at the Harbor Lane Apartments measured a decibel reading of 70 decibels or more in the bedrooms when the fire alarms were set off in the hallways. 6. The test conducted by the Public Safety Department indicates that a minimal reading of 71.8 decibels would be acceptable in the units when the fire alarms were set off in the hallways. 7. The NFPA guide for installing protective signalling systems specifies that the sound level for an alarm should be adequate to perform its intended function and should meet the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction or other applicable standards. S. The National Fire Protection Act standard states that the ambient sound level for various occupancies is to be used for design guidance only. 1. The existing condition at the Harbor Lane Apartments constitutes a distinct hazard to life or property. 2. The fire alarm system at the Harbor Lane Apartments is not adequate to perform its intended function of notifying residents in the individual dwelling units. 3. The NFPA design standard for an alarm system is not an appropriate standard to use in determining whether the fire alarm system at the Harbor Lane Apartments is adequate. The NFPA guide recommending that alarms be at least 15 decibels above the maximum sound level is the appropriate standard to use. The fire alarm system at the Harbor Lane Apartments does not register a minimum 15 decibels above the equivalent sound level in the individual units or 5 decibels above the maximum sound level. 4. The fire alarm system at the Harbor Lane Apartments does not comply with the State Fire Code. 5. The appeal by the Gaughan Companies of the March 17, 1989 order is denied. Resolution No. 90-424 City of Plymouth July 12, 1990 Page 3 6. The Gaughan Companies is ordered to install fire alarm horns in each individual apartment unit, laundry room, pool and party room unless tests conducted by an approved engineer demonstrate that decibel readings in each of those locations is 71.8 or greater when the fire alarm horns in the hallways are activated. The motion for adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly -.cconded by Councilmember Helliwell and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Councilmembers Helliwell, Ricker, Vasiliou, and Zitur The following voted against or abstained None Whereupon the Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.