Plans to apply for a federal grant to install storm shutters on Baldwin County schools that function as evacuation shelters have been put on hold by the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency.

“There could be some code violations,” Bill Wiggins, the state building inspector for the southwest region, said. “You cannot just put shutters over exit doors, because it would impede occupant exits.”

Wiggins said he advised the school system to wait and submit the storm-shutter proposal to the state building commission to be reviewed by their architects and engineers prior to being implemented.

“Everything needs to be looked at to make sure it is in line with the code,” Wiggins said. “What is going to happen if the people in the shelters need to make an emergency exit and run into motorized shutters. No one wants to create a worse situation.

“I am looking out for public welfare and public good.”

Wiggins said he would be willing to meet with Renee Cook, EMA shelter coordinator, and conduct site visits of the schools in discussion — Baldwin County High School, Central Baldwin Middle School, Fairhope High School and Robertsdale High School.

However, according to Cook, this delay will make EMA miss the Jan. 1, 2009 deadline for the $100,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant they hoped to receive to pay for the purchase and  installation of the shutters.

The grant requires $25,000 in matching funds, which Cook said EMA would have requested from the Baldwin County Commission.

The grant also requires formal action by the Baldwin County board of education, because the shutters would be affixed to school facilities.

“This is not going to cost anything for the schools,” Cook reassured the board at their Dec. 9 work session before explaining the proposal.

The proposal calls for the installation of storm shutters on the east and south sides of the four schools, according to Cook.

“These areas are directly connected to shelter space,” Cook said. “For example, we are talking about putting storm shudders over the gym lobby’s where there are walls of solid glass and doors covering generators.”

Janay Dawson, BOE assistant superintendent, said although all involved parties have agreed to postpone the purchase and installment of the shutters, EMA plans to pursue the grant in the future.