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.