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<DIV align=left dir=ltr><SPAN class=341443717-22032011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><STRONG>[This, of course not being legal
advice...]</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV align=left dir=ltr><SPAN class=341443717-22032011><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left dir=ltr><SPAN class=341443717-22032011><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV align=left dir=ltr><SPAN class=341443717-22032011><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left dir=ltr><SPAN class=341443717-22032011><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>Hope this helps.
Regards,</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT style="FONT-WEIGHT: 700; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #003359; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'">Robert
S. Fine, Esq., AIA</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'"><BR>Shareholder
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=1>Environmental, Land Development,
Accessibility,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=1>Building and Life Safety Codes
Law</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><U><FONT face=Arial size=1><EM>Board Certified in Construction
Law</EM></FONT></U></DIV>
<DIV align=left> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'">Greenberg
Traurig, P.A. | 333 Avenue of the Americas| Miami, FL 33131<BR>Tel 305.579.0826
| Fax 305.961.5826 <BR></DIV>
<DIV style="TEXT-TRANSFORM: lowercase"><A href="mailto:finer@gtlaw.com" style="COLOR: #003359"><FONT color=#000000>finer@gtlaw.com</FONT></A> |
<A href="http://www.gtlaw.com/" style="COLOR: #003359"><FONT color=#000000>www.gtlaw.com</FONT></A></DIV>
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<P CLASS="MsoNormal" STYLE="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN STYLE="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype'"></SPAN> <DIV align=left class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr lang=en-us>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B>
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<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">Some
thoughts---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; 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: 11pt; 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: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">Good
Luck<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">Joseph G.
Thresher<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">813-229-7744<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">
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: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'">Everyone,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'">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: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'">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: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'">Thanks.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Freestyle Script'">Richard
A. Burt, Esq.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">Richard
A. Burt, Esq.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">BURT
& BURT</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">220
So. Ridgewood Avenue </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">Suite
200 </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">Daytona
Beach, Florida 32114</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">(386)
252-2090 (office)</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'">(866)
240-7043 (facsimile) </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'"><A href="mailto:dick@burt-burt.com">dick@burt-burt.com</A></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Microsoft Sans Serif','sans-serif'"><A href="http://www.burt-burt.com/">www.burt-burt.com</A></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></P>
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