The meeting began about ten minutes following my reunion with Ron. I’d never been to a review before, so I didn’t know what to expect. There were about fifteen members on the board representing all sorts of agencies: fire safety, hospitals, senior centers, schools, etc. Ron sat in the center of the u-shaped panel. The architect, construction manager, and I sat at a table together, and the fire marshal’s reviewer sat at another. He was a shaggy-haired young man in his early thirties.
Ron asked the members of the panel to introduce themselves, our team followed, and the reviewer introduced himself last. Ron provided a brief outline of the proceedings and asked the reviewer to speak first.
During his presentation, our reviewer explained the need for a “roof hatch” through the second story roof. The hatch required a set of stairs leading up to it. In addition, an exterior fire escape must be added. In the case of a fire, someone in the building could climb the interior stairs, exit through the “hatch”, walk across the roof to the new fire escape, and descend to safety. I took exception to the plan.
Our team expressed our concerns, the greatest of which was the total lack of reviewer’s willingness to listen to any alternatives we may have suggested. I offered up my biggest objection. “He’s never seen the site. Never been to Britton. He has a plan for us but knows nothing except for what he has seen on a piece of paper. He doesn’t know how the addition ties to the existing structure. He’s offered one plan. His. Period. I’d like for him to look at the entire picture before passing judgement.”
Members of the board asked a few questions and, after hearing from everyone present, Ron spoke. “I believe there may be alternatives to discuss.” He directed the reviewer to make the drive to Britton to see the project in person. The entire proceeding took less than forty-five minutes.
The reviewer came to Britton the following week. I was ready. The new addition attached to a one story section of the existing building. The flat roofed building ran about a block and connected to another two story section. The existing two story building had a fire escape that led to safety. I had used the fire escape to climb to inspect the flat roofed building several times. It seemed to me that the existing fire escape could be used to provide a safe exit. All we had to do was provide an exit door on the second level of the addition. People could step to the roof of the existing building, walk the block, and descend the existing fire escape.
After explaining the plan to the reviewer, I asked him and our architect to accompany me to the roof. We climbed the fire escape, made the walk across the flat roofed building, and ended up at the second story of the new addition. I pointed to the block wall and said, “The exit door could be added somewhere along here.” I addressed our architect, “You’re the designer. I believe you can show us where such a door might be added.” He agreed.
The reviewer and our architect met in a conference room for the next hour. At the end of the meeting the two came to see me. The reviewer said, “You’re right. You can knock a hole in the new wall, add a door, and follow the escape plan you described. After seeing the site this makes sense.” I turned to the architect and asked, “How much will this cost?” I welcomed his reply, “Less than $2,000”
A little common sense, and a face to face visit, saved the district $48,000.
I haven’t spoken to Ron since our encounter in the restroom that day. I read his posts on Facebook from time to time. He’s still busy speaking at workshops and conferences throughout the country, and like me, spends his winters in Florida. I don’t know if he reads my blog, but if he does, this is my opportunity to say thank you for your help.
I’ve continued to listen to the music of Burt Bacharach and Dion Warwick. I still like the songs he’s written and the way she sings them. They make a good team. Several of my favorites are on the link below. It starts with a message perhaps more relevant than when it was originally written in 1965 and closes with a song written about friends. We can never have too many. I offer this to Ron and scores of other friends whose images I’ve captured on old photos.