(grit, City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Seattle Fire Department
Gregory M. Dean, Fire Chief

April 14, 2009

Joe McWilIiams
Managing Director, Real Estate Div.
Port of Seattle
PO. Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111-1209

Dear Mr. McWilIiams,

A Fire Marshal's Office inspection of the net shed buildings identified as N3 '- N-11 at
Fishermen's Terminal, 1735 W. Thurman St., disclosed violations of the Seattle Fire
Code and the Seattle Building Code that must be corrected as follows:

1.  Each of the net shed buildings is classied in accordance with the Seattle Building
Code as a warehouse or storage occupancy. Utilizing the structures for any purpose
other than storage is a violation of the Seattle Building Code.

In that regard:

a) Ensure that individuals who may be residing within the structures immediately
vacate the premises. (2006 SBC Section 103.1)

b)  Ensure that any uses of the buildings for other than storage (e.g. shops
engaged in fabricating cabinets or forms, hot work activities, etc.) be
immediately discontinued. (2006 SBC Section 103.1)

If the Port of Seattle elects to modify the defined use of the buildings to allow for
sleeping or activities other than storage, plans shall be submitted to the Department
of Planning and Development (DPD) for a change of occupancy.

2.  A variety of structural additions have been made inside the net shed buildings, such
as the installation of loft spaces, mezzanines, solid floors, shelving, and other
additions, without obtaining the requisite building permits. These additions do not
necessarily provide adequate structural support or exiting and many prevent the
existing sprinkler system from performing as designed.

In that regard:

a) Remove all structural additions installed without building permits, or submit
plans to the Department of Planning and Development for approval of the
additions. (2006 SBC Section 103.1)


Fire Prevention Division, 220 Third Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104-2608
Tel: (206) 386-1450. Fax: (206) 386-1348, www.seattle.gov/re
An equal employment opportunity, afrmative action employer. Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.

(3.1%,; 3

Joe McWilliams
April 14, 2009
Page Two


lf the Port of Seattle proposes to allow for continued use of the structural additions,
plans shallbe submitted to the Department of Planning and Development for
approval of such additions. -

3.  When material storage exceeding 12feet in height occupies more than 500 square
feet of floor area inside each building, the usage is classified as high-piled
combustible storage and must be protected in accordance with Chapter 23 of the
Seattle Fire Code. Chapter 23 may require additional controls including, but not
limited to, increased sprinkler density, smoke and heat vents, draft curtains, and
storage racks installed under permit from the Department of Planning and
Development.

In that regard:

a) Reduce and maintain the height of storage within each of the net shed
buildings to not more than 12 feet above grade. (2006 SFC Section 2301.1)

If the Port of Seattle elects to allow for storage in the sheds in excess of 12 feet,
plans shall be submitted to the Department of Planning and Development to allow for
high-piled combustible storage.

4.  As currently configured, each of the net shed buildings is considered to be a
single control area. The Seattle Fire Code governs the storage, use, and
handling of hazardous materials inside all buildings and establishes maximum
quantities of hazardous materials that can be stored within each control area.
Material amounts exceeding those maximum quantities require that adequate fire
protection features be added to the building.

In that regard:

a) Within each net shed building, reduce and maintain the quantities of
hazardous materials to not more than the maximum allowable quantities
(MAQ) specified in Seattle Fire Code Tables 2703.1 .1(1) and 2703.1.1(2) for
a single control area. Storage of such hazardous materials shall be in
accordance with the Seattle Fire Code, including but not limited to, Chapters
27, 30, 34 and 38 as applicable. (2006 SFC Section 2703.1)

b)  Upon reduction of the hazardous materials, provide a completed Hazardous
Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) for each building and identify the type
and quantity of hazardous materialsstored. (2006 SFC Section,2701.5.2)

If the Port of Seattle elects to allow for quantities of hazardous materials in excess of the
MAQ, plans for a change of use, including the creation of additional control areas or
Group H occupancies, shall be submitted to the Department of Planning and
Development. In addition, if hazardous materials continue to be allowed within the

Joe McWilliams
April 14, 2009
Page Three '


buildings, even below the MAQ, the POS shall submit a written plan to the Seattle Fire
Marshal detailing the procedures in place to manage and limit the quantities within the
building in light of the multiple tenants.

Item 1(a) noted above shall be complied with within 24 hours of receipt of this letter.
Item 1(b) shall be complied with within 30 days. A written response shall be submitted to
the Fire Marshal within 30 days detailing how the POS intends to comply with each of
the additional violations. Based on the information received, the City of Seattle will then
work with the Port to establish reasonable compliance dates for the latter items.

! appreciate your sincere interest in fire and life safety and look forward to working
together to resolve the existing violations. If you have any questions in the meantime
please feel free to contact Lynne M. Kilpatrick, Special Hazards Unit Supervisor, at (206)
386-1373.

Very truly yours,


Chief
srfk'lW'"
even H. Oleson
Acting Fire Marshal

SHO:LK:an

cc: Kenneth Lyles
Manager, Fishing Vessels Services
Fishermen's Terminal
3919 18th Ave. W
Seattle, WA 98119-1679