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Sept. 23, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: We have been watching the progress on three construction projects in the Lexington area: Two are hotel projects and one is a new W&L facility.
What we find interesting is that the W&L project is made with low-flammable/low smoke generated materials, mostly aluminum studs, steel, etc., while the high occupancy hotel projects have wood studs and plywood sheets on the exterior walls.
Should a fire start in the hotel projects, they could turn into a flaming infernal in short order. Should a fire occur in the W&L building, occupants would have a good chance of escaping given the extensive use of steel and aluminum.
I seem to remember a hotel fire in Brazil many years ago where many perished. This project had plywood sheathing on the external wall, and in short order, the hotel was engulfed in flames. Many U.S building/fire codes were revised following the Brazil fire due to the many deaths.
Our question, given the growing number of larger commercial projects in our area, are county building codes out of date? LEE WALTER Lexington
