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Fire doors being repaired at East
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
The damaged fire doors at East High School either have been repaired or are scheduled for repair today.
“They made some pretty good progress,” said Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr.
The city’s chief fire inspector had notified the school district last week that if repairs weren’t made quickly, she would recommend it be closed until the “required level of safety is established.” The fire doors had been broken and wouldn’t close, the inspector noted.
O’Neill acknowledged that the work completed and underway means the department won’t recommend the building be closed.
Superintendent Connie Hathorn said the problem is being addressed. Harry Evans, school district business manager, director of operations and head of maintenance, said the doors will be completed by today.
Work was done Thursday, Friday and Monday to address the problem.
Fourteen fire doors within the Bennington Avenue high school had been damaged. Fire doors close automatically and can hold a fire back up to a certain temperature depending on their grade.
“Seven have been repaired and seven are scheduled for repair,” O’Neill said, reading from an email from Marcia Harris, chief fire inspector.
All of the work is expected to be done today, the email says. Hinges and other parts that had to be ordered are expected to come in and be installed.
The hinges were broken by students who vandalized them, officials have said.