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eliminated; there are fewer bedroom and living areas, no children, and no home appliances which could be con- sidered fire hazards. He conceded that Mr. Battin did use one of the upstairs rooms as a bedroom but otherwise the property was maintained as a law office. He des- cribed the improvements which had already been made to the property and stated that the chances for fire in a building used as a law office are far less than one used for residential purposes. Mr. Robert Battin reviewed his letter to the City Council, dated September 6, 1974, which included an affidavit from the previous owner that the premises had been used as a boarding house for approximately 50 years, and a letter from County Fire Warden C. M. Downs, who concluded that daytime use would be less hazardous than continued use as a boarding house. Mr. Wendell Bril, Director of Building Safety, responded to questioning by the Deputy City Attorney Robert Sangster regarding his expertise in the building field and the condition of the subject property. Mr. Kirk stated that he would be willing to correct the violations stated in paragraphs h, i, k, 1, m, and n contained in the Director's letter of May 29, 1974, and agreed that they did exist. The said violations listed in Mr. Bril's letter dated May 29, 1974, are: Flexible cord wiring has been unlawfully in- stalled in many places throughout the struc- ture creating potentially hazardous con- ditions. (Sections 400-3 and 400-4, National Electrical Code.) When any building or structure, or portion thereof, is placed in a different occupancy classification, those portions directly affected by such occupancy change shall be wired in compliance with the provisions of this code. (Section 8-756, Santa Ana Muni- cipal Code). Non-metallic sheathed cable shall not be used for exposed wiring and shall only be used for concealed wiring on single family or duplex dwellings (Section 8-940, Santa Ana Municipal Code). Exposed and concealed non-metallic sheathed cable is now in use throughout the structure in viola- tion of these aforementioned provisions. Two drainage openings in the building and one in the rear yard are open permitting the emission of sewer fumes and the uncontrolled entry of foreign material or rodents. Such openings must be capped in an approved manner. (Section 314 (c), Uniform Plumbing Code). Five heating appliances have been installed without permits and inspection. Section 301 of the Uniform Mechanical Code provides that no person shall install any heating equipment unless a permit has been obtained. The heat- ing appliances installed in "bedrooms" are unlawful and hazardous in that they burn the oxygen from the room in quantities not permitted by the Mechanical Code. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 338 SEPTEMBER 9, 1974