Code Problems

Progress made on settling Widlwoods code problems
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Updated: Wednesday, March 15, 2006

WILDWOOD — An agreement has been reached on how to fix fire-code related construction problems at the Schooner Bay Condominiums on West Hand Avenue.

The resolution is what attorney Glenn P. Callahan, representing the Joint Construction Office of the Wildwoods, or JCOW, hopes will be the model for resolving similar troubles affecting about 500 individual units across the island.

On Feb. 10, owners of those units were told that their properties were incorrectly designated and then inspected under the wrong construction code. That meant fire-suppression systems and other requirements that should have been part of their construction were missing.

On Tuesday, Callahan said JCOW, the developer and the Schooner Bay Condominium Association had reached an agreement on how to fix the problem at that property, meaning those 16 units can be made compliant with state building codes.

In Schooner Bay's case, a product called No Burn will be sprayed into the rafters to bring the building's fire suppression ratings up to code and a layer of fire-rated sheetrock will be added to meet fire separation standards between the units.

Callahan said the improvements, barring any objection from the state Department of Community Affairs, should then meet the requirements of the local code official who can grant a variance and designate them as up to code.

In February, JCOW filed a lawsuit, naming Schooner Bay in particular, and asked a judge to decide who is responsible for making the needed repairs, but Callahan said the goal was to solve as many issues in as many units as possible before the lawsuit proceeds.

Clare Herm, president of Schooner Bay's condominium association, said Tuesday that 15 of the 16 unit owners approved the repairs.

“We just want it resolved,” Herm said, adding the issue has been a problem since June 2005.

Herm credited the developer, architect and JCOW with working to find a solution, but she noted that the association will not pick up the cost of the repairs.

Meanwhile, Callahan said a March 25 meeting between the condominium associations, the developers, architects and building officials should be helpful in finding solutions to the violations in the other affected buildings.

City Fire Official Capt. Mark Gose said the city's fire inspectors are noting the problems in their reports, but it is up to local construction officials to resolve the matter on a building by building basis.

“It really comes under their jurisdiction,” he said, noting the problems range from buildings that are missing exit signs to missing firewalls and sprinkler systems.

“Some of the solutions are simple, but there can't be a single solution that solves every problem,” Gose said.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com