Building officials, commissioners debate Nordic Lodge classification and fire-alarm installation; quotes cite $17,000–$20,000 estimate

County building staff told the Board of County Commissioners that the newly constructed Nordic Lodge at Alcova requires further code review because the presence of a kitchen triggers more restrictive occupancy rules and fire-protection requirements.

At issue: whether the building will remain classified as an A3 assembly occupancy (which has fewer fire-protection triggers) or must be classified as A2 because food preparation facilities were added. County staff said that without a fire-alarm system and sprinkler variance the county should limit the building’s occupancy to 99 people; installing a fire-alarm system with an agreed variance could raise allowable occupancy substantially (staff projected a practical occupancy in the 150–175 range and said the engineered capacity could approach 200–250 with further review).

Why it matt…