[RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes

[Randall Gilbert]

This guy may know something about the codes from way-back-then...

Noah's Ark in Today's Society...

The Lord speaks to Noah and says: "In one year, I am going to make it rain and cover the whole Earth with water until all is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing on the Earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark."


In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark.

Fearful and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the Ark.

"Remember," said the Lord, "You must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year."

Exactly one year later, a fierce storm cloud formed and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping.


"Noah." He shouted, "Where is the Ark?"

"Lord, please forgive me!" cried Noah. "I did my best but there were big problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction and your plans did not comply with the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans.

Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system and floatation devices.

Then my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission.


I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S. Forest Service that I needed the wood to save the owls.

However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me catch any owls. So, no owls.

The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Union. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls.

When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They objected to me only taking two of each kind aboard.

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Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the universe.

Then the Army Corps of Engineer demanded a map of the proposed new flood plain. I sent them a globe.

Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking godless, unbelieving people aboard!

The IRS has seized all my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes.

[cid:image002.gif at 01CBDF49.1F2BC540]
I just got a notice from the State that I owe some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft.'

Finally the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it is a religious event and therefore unconstitutional.

I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another 5 or 6 years!" Noah wailed.

The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky.

[cid:image003.gif at 01CBDF49.1F2BC540]
Noah looked up hopefully. "You mean you are not going to destroy the Earth, Lord?"

"No," said the Lord sadly. "The government already has!"

Sincerely yours,
Randall Gilbert, Esq.
Board Certified Construction Lawyer

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From: constructionlaw-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:constructionlaw-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Richard A. Burt
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:26 AM
To: 'RPPTL constructionlaw'
Subject: [RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes

Everyone,

I have a client who has owned an apartment building which has housed college students for over 20 years.  Up to this year, the state conducted an annual inspection of the building and its units; each year the building and units passed inspection.  Recently, the inspection function was transferred to the local fire department.  The local fire inspector has cited the client for inadequate egress, stating that a door leading into a bedroom of a number of units must remain unlocked at all times.  This would render these apartments non-rentable costing the client hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and drastically reducing the building's value.  Despite pleas by the client and his architects and engineers, who have suggested a number of options to achieve the objective of the egress requirement, the fire department inspector will not budge.

Can anyone identify an expert in the area of fire codes in effect in 1969-1970 and currently?

Thanks.

Richard A. Burt, Esq.

Richard A. Burt, Esq.
BURT & BURT
220 So. Ridgewood Avenue
Suite 200
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
(386) 252-2090 (office)
(866) 240-7043 (facsimile)
dick at burt-burt.com<mailto:dick at burt-burt.com>
www.burt-burt.com<http://www.burt-burt.com/>




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