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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'>Thanks, Robert.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> constructionlaw-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:constructionlaw-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>FineR@gtlaw.com<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 22, 2011 1:47 PM<br><b>To:</b> constructionlaw@lists.flabarrpptl.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue'>[This, of course not being legal advice...]</span></strong><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue'>The issue is more likely, the codes today, not the code from 69-70. when the building was built. There is no grandfathering from the fire code (Florida Fire Prevention Code) in Florida. The fire marshal/inspector can almost always compel enforcement with the fire code in effect-- except that it would be for compliance with the "existing" building requirements for the particular use. In the FLFPC, there is a new [use] and existing [use] chapter for each use type. For example, there is a new apartment building chapter and an existing apartment building chapter. A non-printable version of the FLFPC can be found on the State Fire Marshal's website. If it it turns out that this is where your problem is (and I suspect it is), there may be alternatives in the code itself . Also, there are also some statutory provisions that deal with hardship in complying with the fire code as well.</span></strong><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue'>Hope this helps. Regards,</span></strong><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#003359'>Robert S. Fine, Esq., AIA</span></b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'><br>Shareholder </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Environmental, Land Development, Accessibility,</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Building and Life Safety Codes Law</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><em><u><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Board Certified in Construction Law</span></u></em><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>Greenberg Traurig, P.A. | 333 Avenue of the Americas| Miami, FL 33131<br>Tel 305.579.0826 | Fax 305.961.5826 <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'><a href="mailto:finer@gtlaw.com"><span style='color:black'>finer@gtlaw.com</span></a> | <a href="http://www.gtlaw.com/"><span style='color:black'>www.gtlaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:~WRD212.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Greenberg Traurig"></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype","serif"'> Tax Advice Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS under Circular 230, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments), unless otherwise specifically stated, was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype","serif"'> The information contained in this transmission may contain privileged and confidential information. It is intended only for the use of the person(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. To reply to our email administrator directly, please send an email to </span><a href="mailto:postmaster@gtlaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype","serif"'>postmaster@gtlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Palatino Linotype","serif"'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> constructionlaw-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:constructionlaw-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Joseph G. Thresher<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 22, 2011 1:24 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'RPPTL constructionlaw'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Some thoughts---<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>There are cases that have held that testimony about interpretation of codes is not admissible when offered by a design expert experienced in applying code; the argument being that interpretation of code is a matter of law not fact and testimony on issue of law is not competent evidence. On the other hand there is a FDOT rule case involving outdoor advertizing which held that evidence of past practice of agency (FDOT) responsible for interpretation and enforcement, may be offered as evidence of proper meaning to be given to code.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Because you have period of actual application of code by then competent agency, and no change to code language ( I assume ) then that prior interpretation may be a basis for interpreting code as applied to your specific facts. The interpretation and enforcement of safety codes include judgment, consistently exercised, for period of time may be a basis to preclude the inquiry itself (absent a new and permissibly retroactive safety code requirement).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Good Luck<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Joseph G. Thresher<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>813-229-7744<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> constructionlaw-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:constructionlaw-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Richard A. Burt<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:26 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'RPPTL constructionlaw'<br><b>Subject:</b> [RPPTL-constructionlaw] Expert: Fire codes<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Can anyone identify an expert in the area of fire codes in effect in 1969-1970 and currently?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Freestyle Script";color:windowtext'>Richard A. Burt, Esq.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Richard A. Burt, Esq.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>BURT & BURT</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>220 So. Ridgewood Avenue </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Suite 200 </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Daytona Beach, Florida 32114</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>(386) 252-2090 (office)</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>(866) 240-7043 (facsimile) </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><a href="mailto:dick@burt-burt.com">dick@burt-burt.com</a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><a href="http://www.burt-burt.com/">www.burt-burt.com</a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>