innkeeping: Building Codes

[Gilbert McGurl <zephyr@hhs.net>]

At the present in Pennsylvania, all building codes are local and B&Bs 
must get local building permits and occupancy permits for the dept of 
labor and industry which enforces basic fire safety codes. Ther is 
currently a bill in the Legislature to require all municipalities to 
adopt the 1996 BOCA building code and to then remove the requirement for 
a State issued occupancy permit.

The Pennsylvania Travel Council and the B&B members are concerned about 
the effect of imposing these standards on B&B's, especially those in 
historic properties. The concern is that meeting codes that are not 
basic to safety may restrict development of B&B's in some of the most 
desirable buildings. On the other hand there is a strong sentiment to 
ensure that basic safety procedures are followed by all of the inns, to 
prevent disasters and the ensuing over regualtion. It is not clear to me 
that building codes would require a fire extinguisher on all levels of 
the building and in the kitchen as our current fire code does but I lack 
the specific knowlege of BOCA to speak specifically to the questiion.

Does anyone have specific knowlege of application of BOCA to B&B's and 
the effects. Is ther a reason for concern because of either too much or 
too little regulation in this case. Incidentally, our lawyer indicates 
that B&B's would be treated as Boardinghouses under BOCA since BOCA does 
not even define B&B. Ther we go being treated as second class citicens 
again.