| The escape route, in the case of a fire, is pretty simple no matter where you are in the studio.
Simple, yes, but if the fire blocks access to that exit, simple is deadly.
Neil,
I am very relieved to hear that you are considering my concern about an alternate exit. I sincerely wish that someone would have raised this issue before you started construction as I realize it is a real problem to do retrofitting at this stage. I've built a few studios with my own money and I know the financial pain. If this building were a storage or garage type of unit (like the permit assumes) I can see your desire to keep the access points to a minimum. But, you are intending to "invite" many people to share this space with you, and in the process they are literally putting their lives in your hands. Those lives include many young people, their friends, families and children.
I have been in this business for 40 years and believe me their will be people of all ages in that space. They do not deserve to be put into an unsafe environment. I know the odds of a fire are very remote but with only one exit you are taking a calculated risk with people's lives including your own and those of your family. Music and recording are important but absolutely insignificant when compared to people's (and your own loved ones) welfare.
The money is a bummer. But right now you have the energy flowing and the team together to solve this issue. Put it off and it will never get done. The money and the hassle will be forgotten with time, but the sleepless nights and, God forbid, in the event of the unthinkable, the damage to people's lives from your oversight would be unforgivable and unchangeable.
Sorry, but that's the reality of the situation.
From the quality and ethic I can feel from your passion for this project I'm optimistic that you'll take the responsible path and correct this serious oversight.
All the best,
Rick
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