Topeka working to bring apartment buildings to code

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The City of Topeka is working with apartment building owners and managers to bring buildings up to fire code.

According to Topeka Fire Marshal Alan Stahl, the City of Topeka uses the 2015 National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code for fire inspections of buildings. As part of the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance initiative, the fire department has started inspecting buildings annually.  

One of the enforced changes involves installing self-closing devices on main doors into apartments.

"In this spirit we have been working with property owners and managers who have older buildings that need changes to work with them to bring them up to code in a way that will not affect their ability to provide quality affordable housing," Stahl said.

The Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance initiative aims to achieve:

• A reduction in substandard structures by 50% in 5 years​.
• A reduction of deterioration in vacant structures​.
• A reduction in the expense/revenue gap on abatement cases by 50%​.
• To improve the perceived appearance of the neighborhoods.​
• To improve the safety of neighborhoods by increasing the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design to an 80% compliance rating​.

For more information about the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative and the Mowing Pilot Program, click here.

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