Fire Marshall Visit

One of the Fire Marshalls from Montgomery County called us at home yesterday morning to make an appointment to come to iPurl to do the inspection for our occupancy permit. We set the time for 4pm as she requested that Joe be present. Normally, the contractor has to be present for the inspection but he said he had done only cosmetic work and did not need to be there.

Joe got to the shop about 3:30 and we visited as I perused sock yarns for an order I am working on. Four o'clock came and went as we chatted. At 5:15pm, we gave up on her and walked 2 doors down to Russo's for pizza. Just as our drinks were served, Joe saw the Fire Marshall's vehicle in the parking lot. He went out, flagged her down and they walked to the shop. After about 30 minutes, he came back to Russo's.

Even though we followed every Instruction from the Fire Marshall's office that was attached to our architect's drawing of the shop; we did not get our permit. Joe has to move 1 fire extinguisher so that you don't have to walk in front of the breaker box in the kitchen/break room to get to it. Both fire extinguishers have to be labeled with PASS (pull, aim, squeeze and spray) - a copy of the sales receipt has to be taped to each extinguisher with room to initial for monthly checks AND a zip tie wrap has to be put on each extinguisher so it can't be accidentally discharged. What? The breaker switches also have to be labeled. She made Joe switch them ALL off because they weren't labeled! She agreed to let him flip the one to the fridge back on because she could SEE that's what the breaker controlled. ALL of the electric wiring and breaker boxes were installed by the property owner long before we leased the the space.

Of course, the alarm company called to report that the electricity was off.

It's crazy to make a shop owner turn off the electricity that controls the phone, lights, computer, Internet, and alarm system. It's not like it all hasn't been on for nearly 2 months! So, when I get to work this morning, I am turning them all back on. I can't work if the breakers are switched off. Joe will be labeling them this afternoon and moving the fire extinguisher. He will email photos of the work/changes and a permit will be issued - soon hopefully.

I know she was probably following rules but a little common sense goes a long way, IMHO. It is easy to see that we are in the shop! It's fully furnished and we are working and stocking there every day. Having the electricity turned off all night has had no purpose except to allow humidity into our shop and merchandise. Maybe it fluffed up all alpaca...

BTW, application for this permit is $500.00 and has to be accompanied by architectural drawings $2,000.00.