Doors Removed Without Variance

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for not maintaining its building in a safe condition. Landlord had removed fire-rated doors from the building's hallways. Landlord claimed that the doors were removed to help the police eliminate illegal drug activity in the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and imposed fines of $800. Landlord appealed. ECB again ruled against landlord, but the fine was revoked. Although the police verified landlord's claim, confirming that the doors were removed to help police successfully rid the building of drug dealers, landlord should have gotten a variance to remove the doors. Such doors impede the spread of fires. Landlord did, however, restore the doors shortly after the police operation ended and the violation notice was issued.

2162 Eighth Ave. Assoc.: ECB App. No. 19117 (2/28/96) [3-page document]