The University of Cincinnati has agreed to correct fire code violations in five fabric-covered temporary buildings but disputed other findings alleged by state inspectors.

        If the state fire marshal disagrees, he must cite UC, leaving the university the choice of complying or appealing.

        None of the problems was serious enough to declare the buildings unsafe, but the state fire marshal insisted on changes.

        UC adopted the aluminum frame structures last year for its food court and other activities during building renovations.

        Questions arose this year when Bill Long, a Cincinnati Fire Division supervisor, was checking an unrelated fire hazard in one of the facilities being renovated.

        He tested the covering membrane and found it burned readily when contacted by an open flame and began to worry about the risks of occupants and firefighters if one of the temporaries caught fire.

        When Mr. Long asked about possible violations of state building and fire codes, two inspections followed.

        On Nov. 7, the state's chief deputy fire marshal sent UC a list of what he said were code violations in five temporary buildings. He gave UC a 30-day deadline to correct them.

        UC's initial response to most of the complaints was simple: the materials and construction met codes and/or were approved by state building inspectors.

        In places that UC agreed with the critique, it made or initiated changes, according to a Nov. 30 response from Lewis J. Watkins Jr., the UC fire safety supervisor.

        However, where allegedly offending decorations or construction met codes, he said so.

        For example, some suspect decorations were flame-resistant and he documented that. Similarly, fire codes did not govern some construction but plans were approved by the state, he said.

        Missing smoke detectors were installed, Mr. Watkins said, and some smoke detectors were disabled only for cleaning and recalibrating. Those smoke detectors were being returned to service.

        Other improperly disabled smoke detectors were fixed, he said, and extension cords have been replaced by approved wiring.

        Mr. Long's plan to issue his own violation notice on Tuesday was put on hold while the details were “tweaked,” Assistant Chief Chris Corbett said Friday.

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