Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 24 July '85 17 nerdiu Ldnicin - unpawn >»»t »•*

Chamber Calls Fire Code 'Massive OverkilV

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COURT HOUSE - County Chamber of Commerce officials here called for an Economic Impact Study <EIS) on proposed retrofit provisions in the state's Fire Safety Code. Chamber officials said the legislation, if passed, would be "financially devastating to resort businesses." The retrofit would require all buildings, except single family homes and duplexes, to have fire safety equipment, such as sprinkler systems and fire doors. The proposed revisions also call for annual or quarterly inspections, with fees ranging from $75 to $1,200, depending on the building. The changes are especially targeted for restaurants, taverns, and other businesses that serve the public. Noting that the retrofit would also apply to older, historic buildings, a provision which does not exist now. the chamber called the code "massive overkill, a solution to a problem that doesn't exist." The chamber stated its position in testimony last Wednesday before the Fire Safety Commission in Trenton, and in a letter from Chamber President Richard Guiliano to Michael L. Ticklin, administrative practice officer for the Division of Housing and Development. Complete text of the chamber's letter to Ticklin follows: To our knowledge, there has been no economic or historic impact study or consideration given to the proposed regulations, yet jobs, tax revenues, lifetime savings of small business persons, and the integrity of important resort and historic seashore structures are in jeopardy. We feel it is irresponsible for any branch of government to undertake such sweeping changes without serious consideration of the social and economic impact. Business is already swamped with regulations, often contradicting regulators, fees upon fees, and an entangling mesh of bureaucratic forms. Now you are also mandating immediate and in some cases massive and costly changes which could close many businesses, and you appear uninformed of this possible impact. SUGGESTION: We also feel that some fire codes may need improvement, but ask that the impact be measured, and compensating measures (such as timing, financial incentives ect) be devised so that businesses and their buildings as well as lives can be saved. Though one of our priorities is to lengthen the season, the reality is that most of our resort businesses operate on a two to three month season. Those familiar with business economics will realize that this makes it very difficult to finance non-revenue producing improvements, no matter how much the business person may want them. For many of the small businesses we have interviewed, the proposed regulations could well be

the final factor along with rising fees, costs and other regulations that might force these businesses to close or relocate in another state. It should be noted that while our season is short, so is the public exposure to potential problems. The factor in conjunction with the economic strain warrants special consideration to be given to seasonal areas. SUGGESTION : The time table for compliance in seasonal areas be reasonably adjusted to ease the burden of compliance. We also feel there is a need for creative examination of other, nonbuilding. measures that could be taken to help improve public safety which could be low cost. Prohibition of smoking or cooking in certain areas might be an example of a low cost solution. A substantial part of our county's tourist economy benefits greatly from certified historic buildings, districts, and. other buildings whose older character is an important part of their attraction. Qualified preservationists have told us that these proposed regulations would result in substantial and irreversable damage to important historic interiors. One good example of this problem is the city of Cape May, which the US Department of Interior declared a National Historic Landmark District. Within this city are ap unusually large number o( guest houses and country inns. Due to the impossibility of proper insurance (for replacement value ) these owner/operators are very fire conscious, and many have taken measures above and beyond code to make their buildings safe. Yet with a stroke of a pen. their interiors could be i ruined. FOR THE GROWING Countywide historic bed and breakfast industry as well as for many other older shore guest homes, I this code is massive overkill, a solution to a problem f that doesn't exist. ' This is a problem area ■ that state and local fire of- ; ' ficials have a great deal of ' trouble with, and the in- ! crease in law suits i understandably has » dampened their interest in varying from "the book." ) We feel that something » must be done to protect the . public as well as guide fire ! officials, in dealing with - some of these specials > situations. » SUGGESTIONS: We feel t that a group classification r should be added for some of » these special situAions. Certain types of guest r houses do not compare in i any way with hotels and t they thrive because they do t not look commercial. Other ) measure can be devised if it is necessary to protect l public safety. 1 SUGGESTION: A body t of fire and preservation ex2 perts be formed to deal - with the special problems v of historic structures, to n give local officials guidance and avoid 1 cumbersome and expensive appeals procedures i that might otherwise be ree quired. Help for this pro

ject can be obtained from the State Historic Preservation Office, the US Department of the Interior. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and/or the Association for Preservation Technology. SUMMARY: We feel that by careful review of the above suggestions. a revision of the proposed code can be drafted that will put New Jersey in the forefront of reasonable fire code enforcement. The problems that exist here in Cape May County, and in other shore areas do require special consideration, and we feel that the Fire Safety Commission can greatly benefit from greater input and communication with our business community.

Lautenberg Lists Hours CAMDEN - U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has released the August, September, and October schedule for his satellite office in Bridgeton. "My representative will be there to assist New Jersey constituents in resolving any federal of state problems, ' ' Lautenberg said. The office will be open 9 a.m. -noon Aug. 14, Sept. 18, and Oct. 16. The office is in the Bridgeton City Hall. 181 East Commerce St. The telephone number is 757-5353.

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