2000-03-17 Fire Safety IssuesMichael C. Couri•
Andrew J. MacArthur
Markus W. Miller
•Also licensed in Illinois
March 17, 2000
COURI & MACARTHUR
Attorneys ai Law
705 Central Avenue East
PO Box 369
St. Michael, MN 55376
(612) 497-1930
(612) 497-2599 (FAX)
Mr. Michael M. Knowlton
Culver Sheridan Knowlton iven & Franks
250 Terrace Plaza
P.O. Box 629
Muskegon, Michigan 49443
Re: City of Albertville; Outlets at Albertville; Fire Issues.
Dear Mr. Knowlton:
A few weeks ago, the Albertville fire chief identified several fire-safety issues
which need to be resolved relating to the Outlets at Albertville development. The items
were discussed with the City Council, which then directed the fire chief to discuss these
issues with the property manager for the mall in an attempt to come to some agreement
on how these concerns would be addressed. It is my understanding that a meeting
occurred between the fire chief and the property manager, but that the property manager
was not willing to address some or all of these issues in a manner acceptable to the fire
chief.
These issues need to be addressed soon, particularly given the pending opening of
the mall. The issues are as follows (all of these items are required by City ordinance
and/or Minnesota Uniform Fire Code):
1. Lock boxes must be provided for every store with a key provided or a grand
master key system, which will open every lock in the mall facility. If a grand
master system is to be used, the fire department believes a total of six lock
boxes will be needed. If a different key system is used, it may be possible to
have a lockbox serve several stores (as opposed to one lockbox for each store),
but this would have to be worked out with the fue department.
2. "No parking" fire lanes will need to be signed off in the front and rear of the
buildings. The rear "no parking" lane must consist of a 20-foot perimeter
Mr. Michael Knowlton
Mazch 20, 2000
Page 2 of 2
azound the reaz of the building. The fue department wants these lanes "striped
off' as well as posted with signs.
3. The azeas in front of fire hydrants and fire hook-ups must be clearly identified.
4. The fire department would also like a copy of the final test results of the
sprinkler system flow test that demonstrates how the system is designed to
protect the building with adequate flow to both the sprinkler system and the
hydrants (in gallons per minute for both).
At this point I would suggest that someone with decision-making authority on
these issues meet with the City's Fire Chief, City Administrator and myself as soon as
possible. I would prefer that these issues be resolved soon particularly since these
fire/safety issues may ultimately affect the issuance of an occupancy permit for the
property. Please call me as soon as you can. Thank you.
Sincerely
~~~~
Michael C. Couri
~~ Couri & MacArthur
Cc: '~VIs. Linda Goeb
Mr. Bill Valarius, Fire Chief