The township this week is spraying fire retardant on walls of five unoccupied buildings at Founders Crossing, its newly constructed senior citizen complex.
Officials considered removing the roofs of five of the eight buildings because firewalls in them did not extend to the dormers.
“We’re trying to do something that’s less invasive. And it’s more than what’s required by the county code,” said Township Clerk Ethel Rodriguez.
The Will County Building Department this week approved the plan. The fire retardant will have the effect of extending the firewall through the roof of each building.
In July, Will County building inspectors discovered that the firewalls in the eight buildings did not meet fire code. In three unfinished buildings, it still was possible to extend the firewalls.
The cost of applying the fire retardant is about $22,000. Rodriguez said the township hopes to have the first occupants of the 31-unit community move in next week.
Founders Crossing is on 5 acres west of Bell Road between 143rd and 151st Streets. The complex also has a meeting room for use by the community.
A $4 million bond issue to pay for the project was approved by voters in 1998.
