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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Inspection Correspondence 1985-11-18 '"", . . AOJ ." CITY OF SPRINGFIELD Office of Community & Economic Development Planning and Development Department November 18, 1985 ~ Mr. Curtis Robbins 40174 Little Fall Creek Road Fall Creek, Oregon 79478 Re: Courtesy Inspection at 5240 Main Street, Units 'A' 'B' & 'C', Springfield, Oregon . Dear Mr. Robbins: At the request of your tenants, The Springfield Building Safety Division conducted an inspection at the above referenced address. This inspection revealed several items of concern which require your immediate attention, that do not meet the minimum City Housing Code requirements., The following items are potentially hazardous to the health and safety of your tenants and must be corrected: Unit A 1. The pass through between the kitchen and dining rom does not appear to have a proper header for support of the structure above. T4e wall has begun to crack due to settlement of the unsupported ceiling. 2. The plaster at the ceiling of the hallway has started to separate from its supporting structure and is in danger of failing. 3. The floor at the outside wall of the hallway has weakened due to apparent dry rot, or other infestation. 4. The outside wall of the hallway where the electrical panel was changed, is covered with temporary sheathing and does not provide adequate weather protection. .-- 5. Evidence of water penetration in the roofing material was observed. This is the apparent cause of the deteriorated ceiling condition noted in item #2 above. 6. The existing wood stove is piped into an unlined chimney that does not have proper clearance from combustible materials. There is an additional chimney opening at the same level as the stovepipe, which must be properly sealed. The woodstove and stovepipe have inadequate clearances from combustible materials in the wall, ceiling and floor structure. The wood stove must either be removed or proper protection from combustibles provided. The chimney must have an approved liner and the proper 1 inch Clearance to all combustible materials, or it may be replaced with a new .225 North 5th Street . Springfield, Oregon 97477 · 503/726-3753 " . . ;/ Mr. Curtis Robbins November 18, 1985 manufactured chimney in order to continue use of the wood stove. 7. The existing fireplace is unsafe for the following reasons and must not be used: A. The metal firebox liner has completely corroded below the damper. B. The masonry firebox enclosure surrounding the liner'has cracked and shifted, indicating movement from either'temperature extremes or settlement of the fireplace. C. Combustible materials are closer than the 1 inch minimum required clearance to the firebox and chimney. 8. Electric baseboard heaters have been installed without permits or inspect- ions. Our records show that a permit has been obtained for electrical service change only. Permits and inspections of the heater installations are required to assure that safe installations have been made. Unit C 1. The wood stove in this unit nearly parallels the condition of that describ- ed in unit A. Although it is presently the only source of heat for this unit, the potential hazard for fire precludes its use. Heating facilities must be provided which are capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 68 degrees F at a point 3 feet above the floor in each habitable room. If electric baseboard heating is to be provided in this unit, please obtain the required permit and inspectio_n for the installations. Unit B 1. During our inspection, we were invited into this unit to observe the progress being made on electrical service and wood stove modifications under your building permit #850455. We noted that the wood stove correct- ions, cited by our inspector in January 1985, have not been started and the stove is still in use as the only heat source for the unit. This must not be allowed to continue due to the unsafe condition of the appliance as it is presently installed. 2. We observed an additional problem which has developed in this unit since our previous inspection. The plaster ceiling in the hallway has started to fail in a manner similar to that noted in unit A. This is also apparently due to moisture penetrating the roof which has saturated and weakened the ceiling to an extent requiring its replacement. Please note that additional permits and inspections are requir.ed for the floor, ceilings and wall pass-through support as well as the woodstove modifications, electric heaters and the building reroof noted above. When reroofing, the structure should be checked for moisture damage and repaiI'ed pr'ior to applying the new roof. Please check with this office for " . . v' MI'. Curtis Robbins November 18, 1985 specific reroof requirements before starting work. Electrical work on buildings which are for rent, lease or sale must be accom- plished only by electrical contractors who are properly licensed by the state. Please contact this office within the next 20 days to obtain the necessary permits and begin the repairs. If you have any questions, please call me at 726-3753. Si",rely, &'Wt-o/hU- Don Moore Building inspector