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Opelika staff recommend delaying Springwood Hotel occupancy after hidden fire chases found
Summary
City inspectors found a concealed chase in plans and behind sheetrock at the Springwood Hotel, and the council agreed to delay a licensing/resolution matter until the first week of April while repairs and re‑inspections are completed.
Opelika City Council staff told the council on March 18 that they have discovered concealed wall chases in the Springwood Hotel that create a fire risk and recommended postponing final occupancy until repairs and re‑inspection are complete.
The recommendation came after staff, including building and fire inspectors, reviewed the hotel’s 1973 blueprints and opened wall chases in one structure, uncovering a concealed pathway where fire could spread unchecked. Jeff Zimmerman, staff member, said the chase was “completely hidden” behind sheetrock and that inspectors had visited the property multiple times during the hotel’s permitting and repair work. "We're recommending that we're not going to allow them to occupy the building," Zimmerman said.
Why it matters: city staff say the concealed chase can allow fire and smoke to travel from interior walls into attic spaces without triggering early detection, reducing the time for…
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