Board of Examniers
OTICE OF DECISION
BOARD OF EXAMINERS MEETING
APRIL 27, 2004
CASE NO. 2004-01
On April 27, 2004 the Board of Examiners held a duly noticed public hearing to determine whether the applicants proposal to install a Jomy expandable fire escape ladder, sprinkler the entire building under NFPA 13D standards, install additional smoke alarms, and build the basement level as Type I construction, would provide an equivalent degree of safety in lieu of the required second means of egress (stairs) for the third story of a new residential building. The application under consideration for 567 Sanchez Street is a proposal to construct a new three story over basement Type VN single-family dwelling. Section 1004.2.3.2 of the San Francisco Building Code requires a second means of egress (stairs) from the third story unless the story meets the conditions of Exception #4 by being less than 500 square feet in area.
The third story in question is a master bedroom suite approximately 637 square feet in area with an adjoining roof deck that is approximately 266 square feet in area. A single interior stair serves all four levels. The proposed structure would be situated on a steep sloping lot. Because of the steep slope, the grade level at rear is one story below the master suite. The Jomy expandable fire escape ladder, if approved, would be installed at the rear and provide access from the deck to the rear yard.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Cammisa, Cassidy, Cervantes, Glumac, Shapiro
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Wing Lau, DBI Secretary to the Board
Carla Johnson, Senior Building In
APPELLANT’S REPRESENTATIVE:
Brett Gladstone, Attorney
Patrick Buscovich, Engineer
Robert Fuller, Fire Code Analyst
Ed Hardy, Owner
Jerry Veverka, Architect
Testimony was given by the appellant’s representatives (attorney, engineer, fire code analyst, architect, and owner) and from the City staff present. Based on the presentation of oral and written testimony, the Board of Examiners voted 5-0 to approve the appellant’s proposal as described in the appellant’s package:
- to install a Jomy expandable fire escape ladder at the rear;
- fully sprinkler the building according to NFPA 13-D;
- install additional smoke alarm protection in the vestibule, closet, and hallway and elsewhere per DBI as described in the appellants letter with a diagram on the plans showing the hook-up to the alarm company;
- with the clarification provided that this decision is for one time only and shall not be construed as precedent setting;
- Submit set of drawings prepared by P. E.’s to DBI incorporate with all the above listed conditions.
Motion made by Board Member Glumac, seconded by Board Member Cammisa.
AYES: Cammisa, Cassidy, Cervantes, Glumac, Shapiro
NOES: None
Motion adopted by resolution pursuant to San Francisco Building Code Section 105.1.11 at the regular scheduled meeting of April 27, 2004.
By:_______________________________________
Wing Y. Lau, Chief Building Inspector
Secretary to Board of Examiners