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Big differences exist between the county school board and the City of Magee Fire Marshal concerning regulations requirements for the building of Magee Elementary School.
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The existing code that requires certain elements was adopted in 2015. Who’s responsible? Who should have known about these codes…and should they be enforced.
According to Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie, the building code information was available —just not checked and followed by the school’s architectural firm.
Below is a time line of contacts between Fire Marshal Valadie, the school officials, and the architects.
The information is provided by Magee Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie.
On February 11, 2016 Valadie met with the Simpson School officials & architects concerning the school project on Goodwater Road. Valadie discussed and advised the group of numerous fire & safety issues/concerns/requirements for this project. Such as: required fire flow (adequate sized water mains, nbr of hydrants & placement), adequate apparatus access including pavement and strength & fire lanes positioning & size of the Fire Department connection for the fire sprinkler system; placement of hose valves throughout the facility, smoke compartmentalization of the facility; HVAC/ventilation issues; fire alarm issues—location of the fire alarm planes, ability for the FD to access property & building (via a Knox box key vault) ; a control room where all building & fire protection systems would be accessed & controlled; Egress, emergency lighting & proper egress hardware (including electromagnet system); every class room to have two ways out (the main hall door and a rescue window or door leading directly to the outside adequate sized storm shelter facility capable of housing all occupants; (this can be the existing building). The group was informed that the City had adopted 2015 Building Fire/Safety Codes & that they were the appropriate minimum standards that the Fire Marshal would be enforcing…informed them that regular site inspections would occur by the Fire Marshal or his designees…regular meetings with contractors and that all contractors are to be current with proper license & or certification require by City Codes, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Fire Insurance Rating Bureau or the State Board of contractors.
Fire Marshal Valadie questioned why the Fire Marshal or Building Official had not been included in the preliminary planning discussions of this projects. Valadie stated, “without knowing all of the fire, life safety, & building issues/concerning requirements of the project how could a realistic bid be placed on the projects?”
The architects were unaware of the storm shelter requirements and were not convinced the shelter was a requirement. According to Valadie, “all school construction projects are required to meet the new ICC standards regarding the rating of the building as it applies to severe weather shelter in place. Either the main building or a separate shelter has to meet new standards.” The architects denied that it was part of the code requirement …Valadie reminded them we are operating under the 2015 codes.
The architects questioned the reasons for the two ways out of each classroom. The 2015 codes state that these are minimum requirements. According to Valadie, “the Law Enforcement, Fire Department, & other first responders have requested two ways out…especially in the case of an active shooter. Each classroom already has two windows but they are inoperable…make one window operable.” Cost and building efficiency were the concerns of the school officials.
School Construction System/Issues Required by the Fire Marshal (click to open document)
Each classroom shall have two ways out is the unanimous recommendation from the following local emergency officials:
Fire Chief, Lane Steele
Assistant Fire Chief, Chris Tuggle
Police Chief, Randy Crawford
Simpson County Sheriff, Donald O’Cain
Simpson County Under Sheriff, Richard Harper
Building/EMA Official, Joe Worrell
Simpson County Emergency Management, Glen Jennings
City of Magee Fire Marshal, Charles Valadie
The City of Magee Board of Alderman and Mayor completely back Fire Marshal Charlie Valadie in the requirements to follow the codes set forth in 2015.
The information contained in this article is lengthy. The video is lengthy. The information concerns the safety of our children. One item that Valadie points out in his video statement is that we live in what is called the Dixie tornedo ally. The area where the school will be located is in direct line with other severe weather systems that have hit our county.
Valadie did not even discuss the information that has come forth about the condition of the soil at the Goodwater location.
At what point does money matter over safety? Are these requirements really necessary? Is Valadie “stretching the truth?” You decide. Please feel free to make comments to this article (Suehonea@bellsouth.net)
We need our school.
