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January 29, 2015 Re: 3527 Lexington Ave: This letter is a review of a request for a proposed alternate to the State Building code at 3527 Lexington Ave. The purpose of the proposed code alternate is to divide an existing building and parcel into two distinct separate buildings and parcels. The 2007 MN state building code per the 2006 IBC requires walls located on property lines, that separate buildings, to be constructed as a fire wall. The existing wall is not built as a fire wall, but could be altered to comply with a 2 hour fire barrier wall. The proposed code alternate uses IBC Section 402,which refers to covered mall buildings. The proposed alternate is to apply section 402 to a strip or open mall. While section 402 of the 2006 IBC refers only to covered mall buildings, staff feels that an open, or strip mall is no more hazardous than a covered mall. In fact, it is more likely safer than an enclosed mall. It is proposed to use IBC section 402.7.4, as amended by the state, which allows an anchor building in a covered mall to be separated by a fire barrier instead of a fire wall. Additionally, MN State building code section 402.7.4, allows property lines to be platted between the anchor building and the rest of the mall with certain conditions. Section 402.7.4 also states that both buildings/parcels need to comply with all applicable provisions of the state building code. Section 402.8 of the state building code requires mall buildings to be fire sprinkler protected. Arden Plaza currently is only 65% fire sprinkler protected. The owners of the mall are proposing to extend a fire sprinkler main pipe through the unsprinklered tenant portions of the building. The individual tenant spaces will then be fully sprinklered as the tenant spaces changes ownership. City staff, along with the Lake Johanna Fire Department, have reviewed this project and have the following requirements for this project to move forward. 1. The wall separating the hardware store from the rest of the building needs to be a fully compliant two hour fire barrier with no openings. 2. Plans submitted do not show the fire wall including the loading dock area. Resubmit plans showing the loading dock included with the hardware store and separated from the remainder of the building by a fire barrier. 3. Verify the mezzanine in Ace hardware complies with type of construction for a type IIB. 4. Provide plans and specifications for the extension of the fire suppression main through the portion of the building currently not fire sprinklered. City of Arden Hills ▪1245 West Highway 96 ▪ Arden Hills Minnesota 55112 Phone 651.792.7800 ▪ Fax 651.634.5137 ▪ www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us