The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1413 S College Ave - Correspondence/Building Inspection - 02/03/1976BUILDING INSPECTION February 3, 1976 Mr. Kenneth Medearis, P. E. Kenneth Medearis Computer -Engineering Research Savings Building Fort Collins, CO 80521 Dear Ken: An inspection was conducted, by this office, on February 2, 1976, at 1413 South College Avenue. Those present from the Building Inspection Division were Lynn Greenwood, Paul Michaud and myself. The building in question is basically a Type III, 1 hour structure which appears to be very structurally -sound. The building is located in Fire Zone No. 1, and the proposed use would be a change from an H occupancy Group (as defined in the Uniform Building Code) to an F-2 Occupancy Group. Based upon the above -mentioned inspection and pertinent information, the purpose of this letter is two -fold; number one, to identify those elements of the structure which are not in compliance with present day codes, and the condition of some of the other elements that may be of interest to you. Secondly, I want to inform you as to those elements which, I feel, must be corrected. The first list is as follows: Electrical 1. The electrical system does not appear to be grounded. The original ground wire was enclosed in conduit which has been torn loose from the meter housing, and the ground wire is not connected to any grounding device. 2. There are presently five different electrical systems, namely: rigid conduit, BX armored cable, knob and tube, non-metallic sheathed cable and T W conductors. Some of the connections between systems have not been made with the proper attachments, or adaptors, and some of the cable and/or wires are not protected as specified by the National Electric Code. Specifically noted were: ro 100% Recycled Bond . .: . . - - �- - , - . _ �. i _ . Ken Medearis Page 2 February 3, 1976 a. T. W. wire connecting the garbage disposer. � b. Unprotected surface non-metallic sheathed cables. � c. Wall-hung light fixture pulled away from wall � and wires connected without terminating in � wall box. The splices were taped, but bare � wire is showing. I d. Exterior boxes and covers are not of the approved I weatherproof type I e. Unprotected wire cable penetrating wall and floor I systems f. Conduit overloaded 3. No exterior main electrical disconnect switch I 4. Breaker panel located in closet directly. adjacent to the kitchen. Plumbing I 1 . Water closets are not equipped with anti-syphon ball cocks. �I 2. Laundry sink in basement supplied by faucets that have I hose bibb threads. This requires anti-syphon devices on supply II line. I 3. Dishwasher drain connected into the garbage disposer. I 4. Plumbing drain lines in sink compartment are taped. (Apparently I to stop leaks) I Mechanical I 1 . Gas meter located in basement. � 2. No individual gas line shut-off valves for furnace or water � heater � 3. Only 24 inch working space in front of furnace and required I� space is 30 inches. I Fire Resistive Construction � 1 . Unprotected openings located less than 20 feet from property , line (some are slightly over 5 feet from property line. ) , �iv�2. Wood shingle roof covering which is not permitted by Code , �trC'Fire Zone No. 1 . 3. Type V detached garage in Fire Zone 1 . , ., __ . _ . , i , •I Ken Medearis Page 3 � February 3, 1976 Architectural l. No landing on exterior side of rear exit door 2. No handrail for front entrance stairs. 3. Less than 24" in front of water closet on main floor. 4. No hard non-absorbent surface on floors and wall in main floor toilet room. 5. Headroom at basement stairway less than required 6' 6" 6. No ramp for the handicapped and less than the required minimum clear unobstructed access to toilet room facilities as required for the handicapped. Other 1 . There appears to be water damage to a portion of the 2nd floor ceiling. While I was in the attic, I could see daylight between some of the shingles; however, this often occurs on a wood- shingled roof and many times even though the daylight penetrates the shingles, water doesn't. 2. There is a fairly large hole in the rear wall of the fireplace fire box. 3. Only one exit from basement 4. Flashing around chimney at roof line needs repairing. 5. Roof eaves show deterioration due to roof leaking at roof edges. 6. One exit fron 2nd story. The following is a list of those items that will need to be corrected: 1 . Bring electrical system up to a safe condition, including- a. Proper ground b. 3-wire grounded receptacles where receptacles are needed for occupancy. c. Take all shelves out of closet where breaker panel is located and keep all storage out of closet area. d. Provide proper adaptors and connectors � .......__._ .. _ ,. . � - . - '-``=-- r_ . _ .. .. . , . � Ken Medearis Page 4 February 3, 1976 e. Provide wall and ceiling boxes at all receptacles> switches and light fixtures. f. Protect surface run cable and unprotected cables that , penetrates through wall and floor systems. i g. Rewire disposer if it is to remain. I 2. a. Install anti-syphon ball cocks in both water closets. I b. Examine and repair, if necessary, the drain lines in I sink compartment or remove and cap if sink is to be removed. i c. Remove faucets from the water lines that serve the laundry i sink and cap the lines, or install back flow preventers I in the lines. � 3. Provide shut-off valves in the gas lines supplying tfie i furnace and water heater. � 4. Provide handrail for front entrance stairs. �I 5. Repair fire box in fireplace or seal off the fireplace opening. �i 6. The clothes washer standpipe should be capped or water should � be added periodically to keep a water seal in the trap to � prevent the escape of inethane gas. We will need to know the areas of the building you wish to occupy. Unless ' a second exit is provided from the basement and the headroom corrected on ' the existing basement stairway, the basement will have to be used for service of the building only. According to the measurements of the ' building, as shown on the plot plan, there are over 1000 sq. ft. of floor area on the second floor. If so, the code requires two exits from that ' area. However, this is marginal in terms of total usable floor area, and ' I do not consider this to be critical . ' Be advised that all work done in regard to the above list, requires that ' licensed people take out permits for their respective areas of work. No permits can be issued until the P.U.D. Plan has been epproved by the � Council . ' If I can be of further assistance in the above matters, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, � � w� William E. Watdo Chief Building Inspector WEWlca Copy to: Mr. Brunton, City Manager Roy Bingman, Director of'Engineering Services _ . .,�_ .