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BOARD OF BUILDING CODE APPEALS AUGUST 28, 1986 PAGE 2 III. NEW BUSINESS:(Continued) 2. Jamestown Village Apartments, 4769, 4771, 4773, and 4775 Columbia Rd. Request permission to use non-metallic sheathed cab le for wiring in a multiple family residence. Violation of Ord. 75-110, Section 1357.02, b. Chairman Kazak administered the oath to Mr. D. Margolius and Mr. R. Margolius, the developers, who explained that they are asking permission to use non-metallic sheathed cable (Romex) for wiring in the new phase of Jamestown Village Apartments since it is permitted in the Ohio Basic Building Code (Article 15, Section 1500-1); the National Electric Code (Article 336, Section 336-3); and is also approved by many other author- ities9 seven of which they listed on their appeal form, for use in resi- dential and multifamily building of 2z stories or less. They maintain that North Olmsted is one of the few municip alities which will not allow its use and consider this arbitrary and discriminatory. Installing in conduit is more costly. They used Romex in three of their phases in 1971 and 1972 and have had no problems with it. Their apartments are totally firestopped with concrete b lock walls and concrete floors. They also point out that if they had used prefab ricated walls, manufactured outside of North Olmsted and shipped in, they could have used Romex. Mr. Grace stated that this Board should uphold the codes and that the other codes are guidelines and/or minimum standards which a municipality can upgrade if it sees fit. Building Commissioner Spino stated that there have been problems with non-metallic sheathed cab le and they are asking to bring North Olmsted standards down. Mr. Margolius stated that the Law Director had advised him th at tfi is Board could allow them a variance to use this material; that they are maintaining that Romex is equally as safe since it is approved by the National Electrical Code; that they would not be bringing down North Olmsted's -standards, they would be using different standards; and pointed out that their buildings are above the minimum standards and each unit is completely fire-stopped. Meeting was recessed for a brief caucus. Upon resumption of the meeting, Mr: Kazak explained that the Board had decided to reject the request and suggested that the developers approach Council to have.the ordinance revised. Mr. Margolius asked the Board to consider a compromise and allow them to use Romex within the apartments and conduit in the central halls. Board did not agree to thi's and urged them to approach Council, but the developers believe that the time factor would be prohibitive. Mr. Kazak believes that by not using the steel tub.ing, it would detract from the safety factor, and that an electrical fire would be contained in the tubing. B. Grace moved to reject the request of Jamestown Development to use regular non-metallic sheathed cable, seconded by R. Burke.• Roll call on motion: Grace, Burke, Kazak, and Schulz, yes. Mr. Gates, no. Request rejected. The developers were advised to show proof that the non-metallic sheathed cable would be just as safe as conduit and possibly the ordinance could be changed. Board discussed the ordi- nance and suggested that Council re-examine the ordinance to determine if it should be an accepted ordinance. IV. OLD BUSINESS: Presentation of information on satellite dish earth stations by Ida Petko, Curtis Mathes. Ms. Petko could not be present and will give presentation at another time.