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Memorandum

CITY OF DALLAS

DATE: JuIy5, 2012

TO: James Martin, Director Code Compliance

SUBJECT: 1906 Berwick Ave., Dallas, Tx Burned Structure

On July 4, 2012, I evaluated the condition of the above-referencedstructure. I took photographs of the structure at the time. From the DallasFire-Rescue Department’s evaluation of the structure, there is an imminentdanger to the public due to the unstable structure. Part of the roof isleaning against a tree. The rock chimney is up about 10 feet in the air withno support.

I believe the condition of this building constitutes a clear and imminentthreat to the safety of the public. Subsection 110.3, “summary abatement,”of Section 110, “Unsafe Buildings”, of the Dallas Fire Code states: “Whereconditions exist that are deemed hazardous to life and property, the firecode official or fire department official in charge of the incident isauthorized to abate summarily such hazards conditions that are in violationof this code.” The building should be demolished at the earliest possibletime.

Cynthia Michaels, Acting Deputy ChiefInspection & Life Safety Education DivisionDallas Fire-Rescue Department

c: Debra Carlin, Assistant Chief/Fire MarshalChris Bowers, First Assistant City Attorney

“Dallas, The City That Works: Diverse, Vibrant and Progressive.”

crrr OF kI.LASJuly 06, 2011

LCSmith1906 i3erwickDallas, Texas 75203

Re: Fire-Damaged Single-Family Structure at 1906 Berwick, Dallas, Texas 75203

DearLC:

An inspection conducted on July 05, 2011 revealed that there is an imminent danger tothe public due to the unstable structure. Part of the roof is leaning against a tree and therock chimney is up about 10 feet in the air with no support. There are numerous otherviolations of the structural requirements listed for wood construction in Chapters 16 and23 of the 2006 Dallas Building code, but because of the hazardous conditions within thebuilding, they cannot be safely identified. An assessment of the overall condition of thebuilding, as observed by the building inspector from outside the building, has deemedthis structure as too badly damaged to restore to a safe condition for human occupancy.

Based on this inspection, I have determined that this structure is unsafe as defined bySection 203.1 of Chapter 52, “Administrative Procedures for Construction Codes,” of theDallas City Code because the structure is structurally unsafe and dangerous to human life.Further, I have determined that this structure is an unsafe use as defined by Section 203.2of Chapter 52, “Administrative Procedures for Construction Codes,” of the Dallas CityCode because of the dilapidation caused by fire damage. Pursuant to Section 203.4 ofChapter 52, “Administrative Procedures for Construction Codes,” of the Dallas CityCode, unsafe structures are urban nuisances and may be abated by demolition by anyprocedure provided by law. By copy of this letter, I am requesting the City of Dallas FireMarshal to summarily abate the nuisance by demolishing the structure pursuant toSection 110.3 of Chapter 16, “Dallas Fire Code” of the Dallas City Code.

Lloyd Diman, P.E., CFMInterim Building Official

c: Chris Bowers, First Assistant City AttorneyAndrew Gilbert, Assistant City AttorneyMary Supino, Assistant City AttorneyCynthia Michaels, Acting Deputy Chief, Dallas Fire Department

Sustainable Development and Construction Building Inspection 320 E. Jefferson Blvd.. Room 115

ADMINISTRAflON

. SECTION 109VIOLATIONS

109.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for a person, firm orcorporation to erect, construct, alter, repair, remove, demolishor utilize a building, occupancy, premises or system regulatedby this code, or cause same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.

109.2 Notice of violation. When the fire code official finds abuilding, premises, vehicle, storage facility or outdoor area thatis in violation of this code, the fire code official is authorized toprepare a written notice of violation describing the conditionsdeemed unsafe and, when compliance is not immediate, specifying a time for reinspection.

109.2.1 Service. A notice of violation issued pursuant tothis code shall be served upon the owner, operator, occupant, or other person responsible for the condition or violation, either by personal service, mail, or by delivering thesame to, and leaving it with, some person of responsibilityupon the premises. For unattended or abandoned locations,a copy of such notice of violation shall be posted on the premises in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to suchpremises and the notice of violation shall be mailed by certified mail with return receipt requested or a certificate ofmailing, to the last known address of the owner, occupant orboth.

109.2.2 Compliance with orders and notices. A notice of. violation issued or served as provided by this code shall becomplied with by the owner, operator, occupant or otherperson responsible for the condition or violation to whichthe notice of violation pertains.

109.2.3 ProsecutIon ofviolations. If the notice of violationis not complied with promptly, the fire code official is authorized to request the legal counsel of the jurisdiction to institute the appropriate legal proceedings at law or in equity torestrain, correct or abate such violation or to requireremoval or termination of the unlawful occupancy of thestructure in violation of the provisions of this code or of theorder or direction made pursuant hereto.

109.2.4 Unauthorized tampering. Signs, tags or sealsposted or affixed by the fire code official shall not be mutilated, destroyed or tampered with or removed withoutauthorization from the fire code official.

109.3 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter repair or do workin violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate usedunder provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a [sPEciFYOFFENSE], punishable by a fine of not more than (AMOuNT] dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding [NUMBER OF DAYS], orboth such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violationcontinues after due notice has been served shall be deemed aseparate offense.

109.3.1 Abatement of violation. In addition to the imposition of the penalties herein described, the fire code official isauthorized to institute appropriate action to prevent unlawful construction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation; or

to prevent illegal occupancy of a structure or premises; or tostop an illegal act, conduct of business or occupancy of astructure on or about any premises.

SECTION 110UNSAFE BUILDINGS

110.1 GeneraL If during the inspection of a premises, a building or structure or any building system, in whole or in part, constitutes a clear and inimical threat to human life, safety orhealth, the fire code official shall issue such notice or orders toremove or remedy the conditions as shall be deemed necessaryin accordance with this section and shall refer the building tothe building department for any repairs, alterations, remodeling, removing or demolition required.

110.1.1 Unsafe conditions. Structures or existing equipment that are or hereafter become unsafe or deficientbecause of inadequate means of egress or which constitute afire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or thepublic welfare, or which involve illegal or improper occupancy or inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed anunsafe condition. A vacant structure which is not securedagainst unauthorized entry as required by Section 311 shallbe deemed unsafe.

110.1.2 Structural hazards. When an apparent structuralhazard is caused by the faulty installation, operation or malfunction of any of the items or devices governed by thiscode, the fire code official shall immediately notify thebuilding code official in accordance with Section 110.1.

110.2 Evacuation. The fire code official or the fire departmentofficial in charge of an incident shall be authorized to order theimmediate evacuation of any occupied building deemed unsafewhen such building has hazardous conditions that presentimminent danger to building occupants. Persons so notifiedshall immediately leave the structure or premises and shall notenter or re-enter until authorized to do so by the fire code official or the fire department official in charge of the incident.110.3 Summary abatement. Where conditions exist that aredeemed hazardous to life and property, the fire code official orfire department official in charge of the incident is authorizedto abate summarily such hazardous conditions that are in violation of this code.

110.4 Abatement. The owner, operator, or occupant of a building or premises deemed unsafe by the fire code official shallabate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditionseither by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or other approvedcorrective action.

SECTION 111STOP WORK ORDER

111.1 Order, Whenever the fire code official finds any workregulated by this code being performed in a manner contrary tothe provisions of this code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner,the fire code official is authorized to issue a stop work order111.2 Issuance. A stop work order shall be in writing and shallbe given to the owner of the property, or to the owner’s agent, or

.2006 INTERNATiONAL FIRE CODE 11