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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJPZ - 09/28/1995 - BLDG & FIRE PREV CODES/VARIANCE 393 KENT ST JPZ COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 28, 1995 7:30 P.M. �cl Ar��c PRESENT: Paul Rettberg, Chairman Nancy Czarnik 'n„ James Petri ABSENT: None STAFF: James D. MacArthur, Fire Chief Michael Lackman, Assistant Fire Chief OTHERS: Tom Constantino, Electro Painters David Regan, Technical Director, Electro Painters Larry Utterbeck, Senior Product Specialist, ITW Ransburg REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUILDING AND FIRE PREVENTION CODES -ELECTRO PAINTERS 393 KENT STREET Chairman Rettberg called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with a statement that the meeting would be conducted informally and that Electro Painters would be allowed to open the discussion. Chairman Rettberg also restated the issues as they were left from the Public Hearing of June 13, 1995. Regan stated that there were two issues that needed resolution, the first being the issue of storage of their liquids and the second being that of the actual spray painting process within their premises. In terms of the storage, Regan would like approval on the type of cabinet that they should buy, so that they purchase the correct cabinets due to the expense involved. He then presented brochures of flammable liquid cabinets for the Fire Departments consideration. Mr. Constantino stated that the reason they hadn't purchased the cabinets sooner was because they had been mandated by the Fire Department to purchase only U.L. (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.) approved cabinets and after several months of searching they could only find cabinets that were either NFPA 30 (National Fire Protection Associations Standard for Flammable and Combustible Liquids) compliant or FM(Factory Mutual Engineering) approved. Assistant Chief Lackman stated that they were never mandated to purchase U.L. approved cabinets as U.L. does not approve products per se. U.L. only lists products that are tested to particular standards. He stated that acceptable cabinets would be any that are either U.L. listed, N.F.P.A. compliant, F.M. approved or any combination thereof. Assistant Chief Lackman also went on to say that a one-inch thick plywood cabinet constructed to the specifications in N.F.P.A. 30 would be acceptable as well. Regan asked that Mr. Utterbeck be allowed to demonstrate their Ransburg No. 2 electrostatic spray gun to the committee. Mr. Utterbeck explained the operation and use of the gun in spray painting operations. Mr. Utterbeck then presented a fifteen minute video tape to the Committee. The video was a professionally produced instructional video in the use the Ransburg No. 2 gun. After the video Chief MacArthur responded outlining the fire department's position. The two basic concerns are the quantities of flammable materials which are still being stored on site and the fact that spray painting is occurring on a regular basis within Electro Painters' facility. As such, its use is technically defined by the Village's codes and standards as spray painting and the area must therefore meet the requirements of the building and fire prevention codes and the referenced standards of those codes (see Fire Chief s memo to the JPZ Committee dated 9/28/95 which is attached). After much discussion on the use of the gun, Regan recognized and admitted that they were not in compliance with the code and stated that they were asking for a variance from the code based upon their belief that the Ransberg #2 gun was not likely to be a source of ignition. It was pointed out by the Chief and Assistant Chief that there were other concerns beyond the gun itself being a possible ignition source. These concerns are centered on other activities in the spray painting process area-specifically the use, storage, mixing and drying of the paint after the spray painting process is completed. Also of concern was the human error factors which the codes are designed to engineer out of the spray painting process. If a variance is granted in the absence of this design criteria, it increases the level of hazard to the employee(s) conducting the spraying and increases the risk of an ignition occurring. Page 2 Regan asked for clarification as to what the Fire Department was specifically requiring. He was advised that a designated spray booth, spray room and/or spray area was needed to include a spray room with walls, ventilation and fire protection. The Chief and Assistant Chief agreed that a properly designed area would make the spray area code compliant. Regan asked for some time to prepare plans for submission to the fire department and Chairman Rettberg suggested a six week period in which to submit plans. Mr. Regan agreed to this time frame. The consensus of the committee was for staff to work with Electro Painters to bring their operation into compliance and report back to the committee. Upon further discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to discuss this issue at the November 15, 1995 JPZ Committee meeting to make a final decision on Electro Painters' variation request. The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: &ALUs W taj� Gl� Michael W. Lackman, Assist. Fire Chief c: President &Board of Trustees, Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager, Administrative Assistant, Village Clerk, Village Attorney, Director of Engineering and Community Development, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief Page 3