Board presses fire-safety mitigation amid Cosby Street conversion plan

During discussion of Case SE-18-26, a board member warned that converting part of a former commercial property to allow multiple households close together could create a hazard if fire separation is inadequate. The member said the situation could affect three families if a fire started in the adjacent structure.

The board’s technical staff replied that "typically, a fire code distance is 10 foot," but added that a two-hour-rated firewall (described in the hearing as two layers of 0.625" drywall) can satisfy separation requirements and allow reclassification under state code in certain circumstances. The board noted these mitigation options when attaching conditions to the approval and required compliance with state and local building and fire codes as part of the motion.