LTR TO BOARD RE HEARING 09/08/2016 "`�... CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
120 WASHINGTON STREET,3'D FL••'
TEL. (978) 745-9595 opy
FAX(978) 740-9846
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
MAYOR THOMAS ST.PIERRE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY/BUILDING COMMISSIONER
Cep._
September 8, 2016
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Patricia Barry-Building Code Appeals
Board of Buildings,Regulations and Standards
One Ashburton Place Rm.1301
Boston Ma .02108-1618
Re: 5 School Street-Salem
Dear Board Members,
I was asked to summarize the events that led up to a recent hearing which the applicant, Robert LaBelle,
LaBelle Roofing did not attend. The subject building was a former City of Salem School Building converted to
Condos around 1980.The Building is of type 3 construction and is not sprinklerek brick walls and wood floors
and is two and '/2 stories tall). The building contains eight condos with four on the first floor and four on the
second. Only the second floor condos(two levels)are affected as they have skylights on the upper levels.
Mr.Labelle applied for permits individually for the replacement of the skylights in all four second floor condos.
The work was done in the Spring of this year. I was contacted by one of the unit owners that was concerned
about the new skylights and the fact that they were not listed as escape windows. When I looked at the bedroom
unit, there were no other windows other that the two skylights . My observation was that the skylights did not
meet the opening requirements for egress and that the height off the floor was about 70". My letter to
Mr.LaBelle stated that although the sill height was not done by him,that the original skylights were of escape
design,that he could not make the situation worse. I directed Mr. LaBelle to address that issue.The intent was to
address the skylight type and to have the owners apply to the Board for relief to install Ship ladders to enable
occupants to utilize the skylights for egress onto the roof. I asked our Fire Chief,David Cody, if he would be
able to conduct rescues from the roof. Chief Cody looked at the Building and confirmed that his Department
would be able to assist people that were on the roof. If further information is needed,please let me know.
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Thomas St.Pierre