DATE: Wednesday, August 27, 1997            TAG: 9708260505

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: PUBLIC LIFE 

SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   39 lines

UPDATE: BEACH OFFICIALS WILL INSPECT FOR SPRINKLERS

In 1990, the state required all hotels more than three stories high to be fitted with sprinklers by March 1, 1997. Over the last three years, Virginia Beach fire officials repeatedly warned city innkeepers of the approaching deadline, but early this year, worried hoteliers requested and received a six-month extension. That reprieve expires next week.

The city will begin inspecting resort hotels and motels on Tuesday to make sure they are equipped with fire sprinkler systems required by law.

As of Monday, all but two of the original 33 inns found to lack the state-mandated systems last winter had either installed them or had firm plans to do the work as the Sept. 1 deadline approaches.

Only the Princess Anne Inn at 26th Street and the Oceanfront lacks a permit to install sprinklers, but owner Dawson Sterling says he plans to raze the hotel and build a new one on the same site.

The Aloha Motel Apartments at 15th Street and Pacific Avenue has secured a permit but has opted to close the property Sept. 2 until sprinklers are installed, said Mary Pat Fortier, executive director of the Virginia Beach Hotel and Motel Association.

Fire Marshal Melvin E. Mathias said his office plans to hit the Oceanfront streets on the morning of Sept. 2 to check on the progress of installations. Because Monday is a holiday, Mathias and his staff will give innkeepers an extra day to meet the state mandate.

``We'll issue a notice of violation to those not in compliance. They'll have seven days to comply. We'll reinspect on Sept. 9, then turn it over to the city attorney to take appropriate action.''

Assistant City Attorney Vanessa Valldejuli said hotel owners not in compliance by Sept. 9 will be issued another notice of violation. The following day, the city attorney's office will file a suit in Circuit Court seeking an injunction to close the property until sprinklers are installed.

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