Grand Ledge board finds no fire suppression system required for 207 Lamson St. renovation

At a Jan. 29 meeting, the Grand Ledge Construction Board of Appeals ruled that the building official had misinterpreted sections 901.2 and 1101.1 of the Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings as applied to renovations at 207 Lamson St., concluding that no fire suppression system is required and directing a one-hour separation between each unit.

The decision came after Rich Morrison, Grand Ledge community development director, described the planned renovation of a multi‑family unit at the Lamson Street address and Daniel Hufnagel, the building official, reviewed the cited code provisions on fire suppression, fire protection and means of egress. Ray Evert, who filed the appeal, said his renovations should not be classified as creating an “addition” that would trigger additional suppression requirements.

Member Mike Stevens moved the board find the code sections had been incorrectly interpreted by the building official for 207 Lamson St.; Member Jack McNamara II seconded. The motion, which said no fire suppression system was required and that a one‑hour separation between units should be required, carried unanimously.

The board’s action means the building official’s prior interpretation will not require installation of a fire suppression system for the renovation as described to the board. The board also specified the one‑hour separation requirement between units as a condition of the ruling.

No members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public‑comment periods, and the board adjourned at 4:34 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2025.