Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Housing commission orders immediate fire-code repairs, halts new occupancies at 201 Eads Street
Summary
After a fire-alarm system was found disassembled and multiple life-safety issues identified at a 140‑unit complex at 201 Eads Street, the commission ordered immediate repairs, required coordination with the fire marshal, placed monitoring conditions and prohibited new occupancies pending verification of repairs.
The Housing Commission on Aug. 27 ordered immediate repairs and coordination with the fire department at the 140‑unit complex at 201 Eads Street after inspectors found a disassembled fire-alarm panel and multiple life-safety deficiencies affecting several buildings.
Deputy Fire Marshal Bridal Dean and city code staff described a partially disassembled fire panel in Building 5, multiple trouble signals on other panels and inconsistent or missing smoke alarms in some units. The commission voted to require immediate repairs to bring the property into compliance with applicable fire codes, ordered the property manager and owner to coordinate with the fire department, prohibited new occupancies until the life-safety problems are corrected, and reset the matter for a status hearing in September.
Brandy Torbett, who identified herself as the property manager employed by Alexander Forest Investments’ management company, told the commission she found “a train wreck” when she began work in April and said prior managers had neglected the property. Torbett said the complex has five residential buildings plus a clubhouse and maintenance shop, a total of about 140 apartments, and she estimated current occupancy at roughly 87 percent. Torbett said she has been attempting to get contractors to evaluate and repair the alarm system and had contacted Chattanooga Fire Protection and All Star Fire Protection for bids and service; she said one contractor “white tagged” the main panel and indicated the communication hub in the office would need replacement.
Deputy Fire Marshal Bridal Dean cited National Fire Protection Association requirements (NFPA 72) and the potential threat to health and safety, saying fire-life-safety systems and working smoke alarms are required and the existing condition “threaten and compromise the safety of these inhabitants.” The fire office reported the property had a temporary fire watch in place while repairs and inspections were arranged.
The commission’s motion directed immediate repairs to bring the property into compliance with all applicable fire codes, required coordination with the deputy fire marshal, notified the management company and ordered that no new occupancies be allowed while repairs are underway; the item was reset for a status update at the commission’s September meeting. The commission also required the management company to provide an owner representative at the September hearing and gave staff authority to call an emergency meeting if the property’s fire watch was not maintained.
Commissioners said the order was intended to be minimally invasive—allowing current residents to remain while preventing additional occupants and ensuring life-safety systems are restored quickly. Officials said staff will check progress, review bids and require an inspection and test (flows, pull stations and smoke detectors) before lifting the occupancy prohibition. The management company was directed to provide contact information and a corporate representative for the September hearing; the office of the commission said it will serve formal notice to the registered agent.
The commission’s action reflects immediate life-safety concerns rather than a formal condemnation: it focuses on restoring alarm systems, smoke detection and other fire-life-safety items and on ensuring active monitoring until equipment is repaired and re‑inspected.
