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Show WEDNESDAY. MAY 12. 1982 THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH VOL. 91. NO. 147 Construction puts Union in code violation by Mark Saal Chronicle staff The Union Building is in apparent violation of fire safety codes, but according to several public safety officials at the University, that violation is a trade-ofRemodeling of Union Food Services has required the closing of several exits, primarily those on the west end by Academic Advising. These doors, which have been wired shut, may place the Union in violation of the Uniform Building Code and the Life Safety code. However, no one in the public safety department will either confirm or deny the possible violation. "It's kind of a trade-off.- " according to Steve Taggert, one of the two campus fire marshals at the University. The same arrangement has to be made anytime construction takes place on campus, and everyone is relieved when it is over, he said. Allowing people to use the west doors endangers life more than blocking the exit does, Taggert said. He said construction equipment in the area causes a greater hazard than a potential fire. Students could trip over pipes, fall in holes or get hit by equipment, so actually they are safer with the doors wired shut, Taggert said. Some kind of trade-of- f had to be arranged, since the only other alternative would be to knock holes in the walls to make other exits, which would not be feasible, Taggert said. He said the occupant load in the Union is lower since construction began, so actually the total code requirements are lower. "Even if we're slightly deficient (in the code), which we may be, it's a trade-off,- " Taggert said. "We don't like it." in effect," "Every problem on campus is a trade-of- f "We've of Services. to Jill Carty, manager Safety according tried to be as sensible as we can about what's going on," Carty said. She also pointed out the potential hazards posed by the construction equipment. The best solution would be to cut out access to the west exit completely by closing off that stairway, but Academic Advising is down there, Carty said. "It's a tough situation, but we do the best we can," she f. said. Several precautions have been taken to minimize the possibility of people trying to escape a fire through the west exit and finding it blocked, Carty said. The doors are unwired when large events are held in the Union Ballroom at night, she said. Also, a sign has been placed at the top of the stairs on the second floor which states: Ground Level Exit Close, Stairway access still available to Academic d on an 8V2 x 1 1 sheet of Advising. The sign is paper, which could be overlooked in the event of an emergency. Carty admitted the sign might be difficult to see. "Maybe we could put a bigger sign there," she said. hand-lettere- : ri.' 1 -- mmmmmmm Union construction is forcing the closure of several exits apparent violation of fire safety codes. University officals maintain that violations are a trade-ofthough in University Police Chief Wayne Shepard, director of public safety, would neither confirm nor deny the possible code violation in the Union Building. Shepard said he would not admit code violations, which would cause obvious problems. However, he said he would not deny the violation either, which would be lying. "I don't think that you can say that it is code perfect over there right now. really feel that we haven't compromised the safety," Shepard said. When asked if the Union Building currently meets standards, Carty said few yes or no answers exist in cases involving codes, and this is no exception. She said Safety Services is making a stab at conforming in all areas. "We're trying to make a good faith effort at meeting the code," Carty said. She said the Univeristy has to prioritize in this area. The campus fire marshals have the authority to weigh the matter carefully, then make a decision, Carty said. "They are the interpreters of the code in the first place," she said. Shepard agreed with Carty. "Anything is gray in public safety," he said. More important than the code is plain common sense, Shepard said. The spirit of the law is just as important as the letter of the law, he said. As an example, I Wetzel. The proposed budget is slightly higher than the 1981-8- 2 budget because of an increase in revenues. Most of the ASUU cabinet boards, especially the Communications Board and Public Affairs Board received increases. The Programs and Activities Board, formed from a merger of Campus Affairs Board and Programs Board, also received a substantial budget increase. Losers in the ASUU money sweepstakes were Academic Affairs Board, the ombudsman and departmental accounts. Academic Affairs, which funds Challenge, the Last Lectures, student tutors, SACs and student societies, received an approximate $4,000 cut. Funding for the lectures and tutors will remain at last year's levels, however. Departmental accounts lost more than half of the 1981-8- 2 budget, receiving only to last $16,200 year's $37,000. According to Zaratzian, Pioneer Memorial Theatre, which received $20,000 last year did not file an applicaiton this year due to a misunderstanding. He urged the theatre to apply for funding during the summer. they do not confirm or deny safety codes are being followed, fact not Shepard said University Police could ticket motorists driving two miles over the speed limit since that is the letter of the law. But common sense says that is not necessary, Shepard said. "We enforce the intent of the law," he said. No organization would be able to operate if it had to comply 100 percent with all codes imposed on it, he said. For example, when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration first imposed regulations on businesses, there were so many rules and requirements that it would be impossible to comply with all codes and remain in business, Shepard said. The safety in the Union is actually being upgraded, according to Shepard. The building is better off now, even with the construction, than it was before, he said. A fire suppression system should now be in the process of installation in the Union Food Services kitchen, Shepard said. But according to Eldon Riding, director of the Union Food Services, the system will probably not go in for another month. The system, which istriggered manually or by heat, sprays a powder over the grill area in the event of fire. In addition, the breakers in the kitchen are turned off at night to reduce the chances of an electrical fire. Riding said. by Jill Johnson Chronicle staff Political science professor Slava The ombudsman's budget received a drastic decrease in funding, a recommendation of $500 compared to $3,270 last year. Elimination of a program providing legal advice accounted for the cut. Public Affairs Board received a proposed $9,000 increase from last year's $5,000, to $14,680. This increase would go toward increasing student lobbying efforts, and involvement in the legislature on issues of Lubomudrov, during Tuesday's Books and Banter described Paul Shepard's latest book. Thinking Animals: Animals and the Development of Human Intelligence, as "a book of interest to anyone who reads because it is diverse, provocative and interesting." According to Lubomudrov, Shepard has written extensively about animals, their rights, nature and the destruction of the environment. He believes this book is Shepard's "crowning achievement so far." Lubomudrov said Shepard identified three major arguments that have been used to shape federal policy in protecting wildlife's natural habitat; 1) Economical-animal- s student concern. Communications Board received a proposed $13,000 to help increase awareness of ASUU events. In addition, the money will help pay for funding and mailing of free class schedules, as well as a course guide, described as a "major publication" in a memo to Assembly members. Zaratzian said that advertising has been discussed as a way to defray the costs of the schedules. The course guides will be sold to students, and therefore, in Animals affect human thinking Committees review budget . 2. 1 f, $449,700 ASUU bucks by John Ned Cfironcle staff Hearings will be held Wednesday to review the proposed $449,700 ASUU fiscal year. budget for the 1982-8- 3 The hearings, conducted by the Assembly's standing committees, will review the budget proposed by ASUU President John Zaratzian and Finance Board Chairman Jeff . are needed for food, labor, fertilizer, fur and medical research; 2) described this Ecological-Lubomudro- argument as similar to "the modern version of the political domino theory," in which the whole natural system is disrupted by an animal's extinction; 3) self-supportin- g. Operating expenses for next year a increased due to an increase in secretarial funds, from $122,691 to $125,200. 1 sheet Ufciiini According to an initial break-dow- n provided by Finance Board, the projected amount of student revenues will total $449,700, a $3,000 increase over 1 981 8 1 revenues. The meetings will be held at various locations around campus and are open to the public. Information about the meetings, which start at 6 p.m., are posted outside the ASUU offices. fY' - 1 'T I li ii Slava Lubomudrov v Ethical-recognitio- I n that animals also have rights against cruelty. This idea stemmed from authors 'ike Thoreau, Muir and Christopher Stone. continued on page three -- Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 1529 Salt Lake City, UT Non-Prof- it |