HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to Assoc and Vail Home Rentals 121609
Vail Fire and Emergency Services
42 West Meadow Dr, Vail, Colorado 81657 Phone 970 479-2250 Fax 970-479-2176
December 16, 2009
Vail Trails Chalets Condominium Association
413 Gore Creek Drive
Vail, CO 81657
c/o Larry Barnes
Vail Home Rentals
15 Metcalf Road
Po Box 6520
Avon, CO 81620
Re: Immediate Hazard
Dear Vail Trails Condominium Association:
It has come to our attention the Vail Trails Chalets has a significant threat to the life safety of the occupants from carbon monoxide poisoning due to the manner in which certain hot
water heaters and boilers have been installed and ducted to cracked and damaged masonry chimneys.
Vail Fire & Emergency Services discussed this situation with representatives of the condominium association in 2004. The hazard in Unit 2 B was abated by the installation of a flexible
flu liner. Records show Unit 5 and 6 have likewise abated the hazards with a flu liner.
The defective condition of the masonry chimneys has been inspected, video taped, photographed and documented by private contractors for the Association in reports dated April, 2002.
It appears some remediation was authorized by the Board President, Greg Fanger, in March of 2004. The conditions were again discussed with the Association’s Board President Diane Balkin
in late 2004. Additional inspections were conducted for the Association May, 2009 and again in September, 2009.
I was asked to help assess the possibility of conversion of a wood fireplace to gas and as a result, have reason to believe the Association has failed to complete the abatement of known
hazards. It also appears one or more hot water heaters and boilers have been replaced with the exhaust ducts piped into the defective masonry chimneys, thus aggravating a dangerous
condition. Town of Vail records indicate the required permits were not obtained.
In the course of our investigation into the circumstances in and about the property, it appears some additional work that would require building permits has been performed, resulting
in at least one illegal loft being installed.
Having conducted a visual inspection of the chimneys from the exterior, it has been confirmed the suspected hazards of carbon monoxide with defective masonry chimneys still exist.
Vail Trails Chalets
Page 2
In accordance with Town of Vail Municipal Code, Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 10-1-2, International Fire Code, Chapter 1, Section 110, Unsafe Buildings, Subsection 110.1.1, Unsafe Conditions,
the Vail Trails Chalets, 413 Gore Creek Drive, Vail, Eagle County, Colorado, 81657, is hereby determined to be in an unsafe condition.
Under the authority of Subsection 110.1 of the International Fire Code, the Vail Trails Chalet Condominium Association is ordered to install listed carbon monoxide detectors in each
level of each condominium within 10 (ten) days of receipt design profession of this notice. Such detectors shall be installed in accordance with their listings.
The Vail Trails Condominium Association, under joint and several severability, is ordered to submit a viable plan, stamped by a design professional licensed or registered in the State
of Colorado, within 30 days of receipt of this notice, indicating a means and method of abating the hazards of carbon monoxide leaking into the habitable space through cracked and damaged
masonry / clay tile chimneys.
The plan shall be submitted to the Town of Vail Building Department and Vail Fire & Emergency Services in written format by mailing a minimum of two stamped copies to 75 S. Frontage
Rd. W., Vail, CO, 81657 or by hand delivery to the same.
Upon receipt of the plan, it will be evaluated and if approved, a date for execution and completion of the plan will be established.
Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions under the Town of Vail Municipal Code and the respective Building and Fire Codes adopted therein, including but not limited to possible
loss of occupancy.
You may contact Martin Haeberle, Chief Building Official at 970 479-2142 or Deputy Fire Chief Michael McGee at 970 479-2135 (office) or 970 376-0738 (cell) for questions or if you wish
to discuss this situation.
Issued By: Michael McGee
Deputy Chief
Vail Fire & Emergency Services