Appeal 34855

Appeal Summary

Status: Decision rendered

Appeal ID: 34855

Submission Date: 6/24/25 8:18 AM

Hearing Date: 7/2/25

Case #: B-1

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Lincoln Street United Methodist Church

Appeal Involves: Addition to an existing structure,other: Fire System Upgrades to avoid Sprinkler System

Proposed use: Pre-School

Project Address: 5145 SE Lincoln St

Appellant Name: Josh Lighthipe

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 24-050869-CO

Stories: 2 Occupancy: Assembly (A-3) Construction Type: V-B

Fire Sprinklers: No

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Chanel Horn

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

OSSC 903.2.3

Requires

Group E requires an automatic sprinkler system to be provided for Group E occupancies when the Group E fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

Requesting a variance to the sprinkler requirement for lower level where change of occupancy to occur to instead be upgraded with Fire Marshall approved early warning fire system.

Proposed Design

The alternative proposed is to provide a properly installed and approved early warning system including, including fire alarm control panel connected by cell network, 5 connected fire alarms, 2 heat rise detectors, 2 pull stations, remote annunciator, 2 inside horn & strobes, outside horn strobe, etc. to provide adequate protection and timely notification in the event of a fire. See attached fire alarm bid and lower level plan for extent fire alarm improvements to be installed as part of this project if this appeal is successful.

Reason for alternative

The cost of installing a full sprinkler system is prohibitively expensive, particularly given the
relatively small size of the space, classroom activities will occupy approximately 971 square feet (48% of the total lower level floor). Also there will be a limited number of children that will occupy it at any given time, with up to 15 maximum children aged 3 to 6 years old with 2 adults.

Additionally, the preschool will always be staffed with teachers present on-site, providing an added layer of safety and supervision that can effectively serve as a fire watch. Also, the main exit door threshold is only 3’ 3-3/4” above the lower level finished floor with only 5 steps to get out.

Appeal Decision

Early warning fire alarm system in lieu of fire sprinkler system for Group E on lower level: Granted provided the child count remains 16 or under and the fire alarm system is installed per NFPA 72.

The Administrative Appeal Board finds with the conditions noted, that the information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the approved modifications or alternate methods are consistent with the intent of the code; do not lessen the health, safety, accessibility, life, fire safety or structural requirements; and that special conditions unique to this project make strict application of those code sections impractical.

Under City Code Chapter 24.10, you may appeal this decision to the Building Code Board of Appeal within 90 calendar days of the date this decision is published. For information on the appeals process, how to file a reconsideration, and how to appeal to the Building Code Board of Appeal, go to https://www.portland.gov/ppd/file-appeal/appeal-process or email PPDAppeals@portlandoregon.gov.