Laserfiche WebLink
Ted Budden 3 tO <br /> To: Kevin Fagerstrom <br /> Cc: Tony Lee <br /> Subject: 1609 Walnut Street <br /> Kevin, <br /> Here is a summary of observations that were made during the inspection that was conducted this AM at the request of <br /> the Hearing Examiner for the converted Single Family House currently being occupied as a Rooming House located at <br /> 1609 Walnut Street. <br /> 1.The building is currently occupied. <br /> 2. Required smoke alarms are not provided throughout the building.This is a life safety hazard and a violation of section <br /> 704.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code. <br /> 3.A gas fired hot water heater is installed in a ground floor bathroom/laundry room.This is a life safety hazard and a <br /> violation of The International Fuel Gas Code section 303.3 and The International Property Maintenance Code section <br /> 603.1. <br /> 4.There are two gas fired hot water heaters provided for the occupants of this building,the unit mentioned in item#3 <br /> and an additional unit that is installed outdoors on an elevated deck area. Both hot water heaters lack code correct <br /> venting.The unit installed outside completely lacks a proper vent assembly.The ground floor unit that is installed <br /> incorrectly in the bathroom area lacks a code correct vent termination.These units are installed in a hazardous manner <br /> and in violation of The International Fuel Gas Code section 503.6.4 and section 503.6.5.These hot water heaters are also <br /> installed in violation of section 108.1.2 (Unsafe Equipment) of the International Property Maintenance Code. <br /> In addition,these hot water heaters lack seismic anchorage or strapping as required by section 507.2 of the <br /> International Fuel Gas Code. <br /> 5. Electrical Inspector Mike Bearda determined that the entire upper floor area has been miss-wired with reverse <br /> polarity at all of the tested outlets. Exposed surface mounted non-metallic wiring is installed. Damaged electrical boxes <br /> were observed in the upper floor area. Flexible cords were observed being used for permanent wiring. Ground fault <br /> circuit interrupter outlets are miss-wired or not functional at the upper floor area of the building. <br /> These electrical conditions are violations of the International Property Maintenance Code section 605.1 and the National <br /> Electrical Code. <br /> These electrical conditions are consistent with the definition of Unsafe Equipment as outline by section 108.1.2 of the <br /> International Property Maintenance Code. <br /> 6.The upper floor of the building is served by a deteriorated and unsafe exterior stairway.This stairway is not <br /> constructed in compliance with minimum code standards for rise of the steps and run of the treads.The stairway is in <br /> simple terms too steep in addition to the deteriorated condition.The stairway and upper deck are also lack code <br /> compliant railings. <br /> These conditions are defined as Unsafe Conditions per International Property Maintenance Code section 304.1.1 <br /> subsection 12. <br /> In summary this structure has conditions that are Unsafe as defined by section 108.1.1 of the International Property <br /> Maintenance Code. <br /> I have discussed the status of this building with the Building official Tony Lee. It is our position that the conditions <br /> outlined in this report be abated in an approved manner within 30 days or the building be vacated. <br /> Regards <br /> Ted Budden <br /> Chief Inspector <br /> Everett building Division <br />