[RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes

Fri Mar 11 13:27:14 PST 2011

That's funny, Randy! 

Sandra D. Kennedy, Esquire
Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer
Ferencik Libanoff Brandt Bustamante and Williams, P.A.
150 South Pine Island Road, Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324
Tel (954) 474-8080
Fax (954) 474-7343
Miami (305) 949-8003
skennedy at flbbwlaw.com

________________________________

From: constructionlaw-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org
[mailto:constructionlaw-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of
Randall Gilbert
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 5:32 PM
To: RPPTL constructionlaw
Subject: Re: [RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

www.burt-burt.com <http://www.burt-burt.com/> 

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