UNC Asheville plans improvements at dorms deemed fire safety concern

ASHEVILLE - UNC Asheville acknowledged Thursday setting an aggressive timeline for completing construction on five apartment-style dorms now deemed a safety concern by state and local fire inspectors.

That timeline and a spring and summer filled with rain bogged down the $34 million project, which state records show drew warnings from inspectors reaching as far back as May.

But the university has since overcome the challenges and continues to believe the dorms in The Woods complex are safe, despite lingering concerns from other agencies over fire prevention measures, John Pierce, vice chancellor for administration and finance, said during a press conference.

The buildings meet state code now, but UNCA will make changes to ease concerns by local firefighters and the state Department of Insurance, which includes the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Read more: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2018/08/30/unc-asheville-improve-dorms-deemed-fire-safety-concern/1145278002/