Cohousing-L Mailing List: Exit Signs & Fire Panel Experience & Fireplaces (Nubanusit)

[Richard Pendleton (111rmp]

EXIT SIGNS
Here at Nubanusit Neighborhood & Farm I have personally found that the EXIT
signs (and other code-required things - like emergency lighting) have become
not-noticeable with time especially as the Common House has been decorated
and the building is used (quite regularly) for community events.  The use
becomes more important than the look.  Now I am probably not the most
aesthetically-minded individual (I have also been accused of having "Male
Refrigerator Blindness" :-) ) so take this with a grain of salt!

FIRE CONTROL PANEL
Re. the Fire Control Panel - would it be possible to position it by another
entrance - ours is in the back hall which works great.  Another alternative
may be to get a smaller "Enunciator Panel" for the front hall, which
communicates with the main panel so the Fire Dept can get critical
information.  We have one of these in our office building (and it doesn't
have to be red!) - it connects with the main panel in the Common House and
is not as ugly.

ELECTRIC METERS and VENTS
Here is another tip on unattractive elements - plan ahead where the exterior
electric company meters will be - the utilities generally want them
convenient for them (the front) - it can really spoil the look - so be
proactive and tell them where you want them if possible.

Finally - don't let the contractor put vents (e.g., plumbing, radon) on the
south side of roofs - save it for solar panels!

FIREPLACES
We have two in our Common House.  I think the CH is used more because we
have them.  We heat with wood pellets for all our homes.  I agree with
Brian's comments about the health hazards and inefficiencies in burning
cordwood.  It was a big adjustment for most of us New Englanders to not have
a fireplace in our homes - so two CH fireplaces was a good compromise.
Having warmer, well insulated homes has helped in the adjustment!  The
biggest problem has been unintended alarms due to people forgetting to open
the flue or not knowing how to pre-draft the chimney.  Regarding being
careless - might I suggest periodic fireplace safety reminder tips via your
community email and before community dinners. We also have our chimneys
inspected and cleaned annually.

We also burn wood to make maple syrup.  We have plenty of wood on our 113
acres.

-Richard.
------------------------------
Richard Pendleton
Nubanusit Neighborhood & Farm Cohousing
www.facebook.com/nubicoho
111rmp [at] gmail.com
603-924-7491
www.peterboroughcohousing.org
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org [mailto:cohousing-l-
> request [at] cohousing.org]
> Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 5:16 AM
> To: cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org
> Subject: Cohousing-L Digest, Vol 98, Issue 6
> 
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>    1. Re: fireplaces (Brian Tremback)
>    2. fireplaces (audrey)
>    3. Exit Signs and Other Ugly Things (Sharon Villines)
>    4. law change? (Joanie Connors)
>    5. Re: Exit Signs and Other Ugly Things (Kay Wilson Fisk)
>    6. Re: Exit Signs and Other Ugly Things (Sharon Villines)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------