Board of Code Appeals

BOARD OF CODE APPEALS REGULAR MEETING September 8, 2016 SUBJECT: The minutes of the Board of Code Appeals meeting of September 8 , 2016. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Stanek at 6:03 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Douglas Harvey, Laurel Johnson, Terry Measel, Thaddeus Stanek, Thomas Szatkowski Michael Viazanko, Building Official RECORDING SECRETARY: Dana Vietto APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Measel, supported by Johnson, to approve the agenda as presented. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried. CONSIDERATIONS 1. Recreating Recreation Video Shown 2. PG16-0198 – Chrysler Group , LLC (Michael Serdiuk -NSA Architects) - 38111 Van Dyke Requesting Board Approval for a variance to 1) Elimination of fire suppression in electrical substations 2) Eliminate heat & smoke vents 3) Delete strobes from fire alarm 4) Eliminate sprinklers in ovens, wet scrubber tanks, below convey or over main fork truck aisles, electrostatic paint zones and plastic paint tunnels 5) Eliminate fire alarm monitoring, tamper switches and exterior riser alarms 6) Manual evacuation in lieu of alarms 7) Allow travel distance to exceed 250 feet 8) Install large hose drops by egress doors only 9) Eliminate fire alarm and fire suppression in new enclosed test track addition. Board has received correspondence from the Architect, Mr. Serdiuk. This was dated August 18, 2016 which details the requests for the variances. The Board also received a package of information on August 19, 2016. The following people were present tonight; Ben Monacelli, manager for the building for FCA Group, Neal Wainstock, Corporate Fire, Eric Goedtel, Project Manager for FCA Group, Jeff Faitel, representing the insurance carriers for FCA Group, Michael Serdiul, NSA Architects, Chris Kulka, paint project manager. They presented a power point presentation. Motion by Harvey, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 1)Fire suppression in Electrical Substation Rooms- The existing facility currently has electrical substations located in the Penthouse level enclosed with a secured fenced area that is not sprinkled. The existing substations are being replaced with new low voltage switchgear and dry type (oil free) transformers. NFPA 13 allows an un-sprinkled dedicated electric room with dry-type equipment. The existing wet fire suppression system is being replaced with a higher density system throughout the building including the penthouse with the exception of the areas directly about the electrical Substation gear. Side shields will be installed at the heads at the perimeter of the electrical equipment area to prevent the spray of water onto the electrical gear. FCA typically does not have fire suppression in any of its electrical substation rooms. The rooms will have smoke detectors and they will be monitored 24/7. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Johnson, supported by Szatkowski, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 2)Smoke and Heat vents and Draft Curtains: Elimination of smoke and heat vents and draft curtains. FCA proposes to use the facility ventilation system to evacuate heat and smoke per Sterling Heights Fire Department command. This complies with the protocol used in at the North Paint Shop and other similar manufacturing facilities. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Board of Code Appeals Page 2 September 8, 2016 Regular Meeting Motion by Szatkowski, supported by Harvey, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 3)Strobes: Delete use of strobes in areas under 85 dba in the plant environment. FCA does not have any strobes in any of its manufacturing facilities in the US, as they have been found to be confusing and not readily understood. The use of speakers does follow established FCA plant protocol, and has been found to be effective and understood. Strobes are used as indicators for the production line. Speakers and strobes will be provided in office and employee service areas. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Harvey, supported by Measel, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 4)Sprinklers in Ovens: No sprinkler protection within ovens associated with spray painting lines based upon: a) Welded seam wall construction b) Combustion safeguards on gas train meets NFPA 68 with all components U.L. Listed c) No plastic components on vehicle larger that fuel filler cap d) No masking paper or tape on vehicles. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Measel, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 5)Sprinklers in Eliminator (wet scrubber) Tanks: No sprinklers in eliminator tanks (scrubber tanks) based upon constant wet conditions in a corrosive atmosphere. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Szatkowski, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 6)Fire Protection below Conveyor over Main Fork Truck Aisles: No sprinkler protection in main aisles below screen quarding and solid platforms since storage of combustible materials not allowed in any aisle ways. Automatic sprinkler protection would be provided at ceiling level. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Harvey, supported by Szatkowski, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 7)Delete sprinkler protection in electrostatic paint spray zones in booths: A high speed deluge system with pilot sprinklers being provided Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Harvey, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 8)Delete sprinklers from plastic paint tunnels: Plastic Tunnel enclosures are to be 6 mil unreinforced sheeting with non-combustible framing consistent with the North Paint Shop. In case of fire the plastic sheeting will melt away and fall out of the framing system Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Szatkowski, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 9)Fire Alarm System Monitoring: Provide “on-site” monitoring of fire protection system in liew of direct reporting to a Central Stations. System will be monitored 24/7 by an onsite Security vendor. First response will be by on-site personnel to verify condition. Once the condition is evaluated, “911” will be alerted if required. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Harvey, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 10)Tamper Switches: Delete sprinkler control valve tamper switches and monitoring (valves will be locked) No: Measel Absent: None. Motion: Carried Board of Code Appeals Page 3 September 8, 2016 Regular Meeting Motion by Measel, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 11)Exterior riser alarms: All risers are alarmed and report to the on-site fire alarm panel monitored by a 24/7 security vendor. Access to the site is through a controlled access point. The location of the alarmed riser will be communicated by the security staff to arriving fire fighters. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Szatkowski, supported by Measel, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 12)Manual evacuation: Building evacuation during an event will be a manual system to eliminate false alarms. Building evacuation will be ordered as necessary. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Harvey, supported by Szatkowski, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 13)Allow a travel distance in excess of 250 FT for a F-1 Occupancy: a) Per the MBC 1016.1 the allowable travel distance for Group F-1 occupancy is 250 feet. As shown on the attached exiting plan (drawing G-100 the actual maximum travel distance based on the current aisle layout approaches 600 feet. Relief is sought on the basis of the following items: b) Timed exit studies at similar facilities have been commissioned by FCA to show that the plant population will have adequate time to evacuate the facility before the level of the smoke reaches the occupants due to the interior heights of the facility. The height of the deck at this facility is an average of 30FT above finish floor. c) The actual occupant load is currently estimated at 50 persons per shift. d) The facility is a limited access facility. All of the people working in the facility receive training to instruct them on the evacuation procedures for the facility. e) All visitors to the facility have to view a training video prior to being permitted access to the facility and are escorted by a FCA employee on site. f) Security monitors all visitors to the facility. g) The ceiling sprinklers provided in the plant exceed the density required by NFPA. h) The plant maintains a 24/7 security force on site. i) The fire alarm system at the plant is a Class A monitored 24/7. j) The plant conducts an evacuation system test on each shift every month. k) The plant conducts an evacuation drill yearly where all employees and visitors are evacuated from the plant. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Szatkowski, supported by Johnson, to approve PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 14)Locate Hose Drops at Egress Doors only 2 ½”: a) A waiver to section 905 of the MBC is requested to eliminate the provision of hose drop connections throughout the facility. Fire hose drops will be provided at man doors located around the perimeter of the facility. b) The ceiling sprinklers provided in the plant exceed the density required by NFPA c) Locations in the interior of the plant are occupied by process equipment which will hinder access to the hose drop. d) Fire extinguishers will be located in accessible locations around the facility. e) The plant maintains a 24/7 security force on site. f) The fire alarm system at the plant is a Class A monitored 24/7. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried Motion by Measel, supported by Szatkowski, denied PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 15)Delete the requirement to provide a fire alarm system in the new vehicle test track enclosure. The proposed test track is a low speed test track to test vehicle performance on variable road surfaces and steering wheel centering. The presence of strobes in the facility would be a distraction to the driver of the vehicle. Similar facilities have not been equipped in the past with a fire alarm system. The only occupants in the test track enclosure are the drivers in the vehicles under normal operating conditions. The facility will be equipped with air quality sensors and alarms to detect and warn of elevated levels of vehicle emissions and may be confused with fire alarm strobes and alarms. No: All Absent: None. Motion: Denied Board of Code Appeals Page 4 September 8, 2016 Regular Meeting Motion by Johnson, supported by Szatkowski, table to October13, 2016 meeting for PG16-0198 at 38111 Van Dyke, 16)New Test Track Building Fire Protection: Delete the requirement to a fire suppression system in the new vehicle test track enclosure. A new vehicle test track is being constructed to replace the existing enclosed test track to accommodate the new vehicle line to be produced at the plant. The test track is a low speed track with road test surfaces. The construction of the building will be pre-engineered steel construction and concrete pavement, with no combustible materials. Vehicles will be driven through the test track at the rate of and average of one per minute. At any given time 3 to 6 vehicles may be on the track. The track is required to be enclosed and connected to the assembly building to meet the new testing standards. The building will be ventilated and un-tempered with the exception of the area adjacent to the existing building. The request follows the FCA internal fire protection protocols, and is supported by FCA’s insurance carriers. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion: Carried OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None PARTICIPATION None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Measel, supported by Stanek, to approve the minutes of August 11, 2016. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Johnson, supported by Stanek, to adjourn. Yes: All Absent: None. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Thaddeus Stanek Thaddeus Stanek Chairman