Impact
WARD: Ward
COMMITTEE: Public Safety
$ IMPACT:
Title
Approve amendments to the Fire Prevention Code of Ordinance Chapter 50-35 (h)
Body
ISSUE:
With the revitalization of the economy and the desire for renovating and developing existing commercial buildings, Fire Prevention Code of Ordinance Chapter 50-35 Section (h) has been in the process of being reviewed. There are many older and vacant commercial buildings throughout the City of Smyrna that are in desirable locations and are in the market for resale and realllocation of occupancy. The issue is that the Fire Preventioin Code of Ordincance Chapter 50-35 Section (h) is so rigid with its compliance statements that businesses are not being revitalized as quickly as could perceivably be possible. The Georgia Life Safety Adopted Code and the Fire Prevention Code of Ordinance of other neighboring jurisdictions were reviewed and the City of Smyrna is clearly more rigid with sprinkler ordained standards.
BACKGROUND:
The Fire Prevention Code of Ordinance Chapter 50-35 Section (h) was adopted in 1995 to ensure that commercial buildings were up to the safety standards ordained by the State of Georgia and to the Fire Prevention Code of Ordinance adopted by the City of Smyrna. This buidling code deliniated the sprinkler code compliance with regard to multifamily structures and small commercial buildings either new or remodeled. Small commercial buildings 1500 squrare feet or larger were required to have approved automatic sprinkler systems when identified conditions apply. Regardless of the fact that the Code of Ordinance was drafted to ensure life safety, the approved ordinance is far more stringent than neighboring agencies. In order to maintain relationships with new and existing customers, the City of Smyrna needs to amend the Code of Ordinance to maintain safety of all occupants and business owners, but also be competitive with other agencies, Fire Prevention Code of Ordinance chapter 50-35 (h) m...
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