B09_Questions_for_140P8325R0013_Forth_Vancouver_NHS_Install_Fire_Suppression_Install_0003.docx

Vendor questions #1-#17 FOVA Fire Suppression Install

1. Page 19. It says to submit and estimate of percentage of recovered material content for EPA-Designated items. There is a blank space. What goes here?

Response: Estimate come to me geraldine_larsen@nps.gov, at the end of the contract.

(a) The Contractor, on completion of this contract, shall--

(1) Estimate the percentage of the total recovered material content for EPA-designated item(s) delivered and/or used in contract performance, including, if applicable, the percentage of postconsumer material content; and

(2) Submit this estimate to geraldine_larsen@nps.gov.

Response: this is after project is completed Fire Alarm Scope:

2. Is there fire alarm scope of work involved in this bid?

Response: Posted at SAM: SAM.gov just checked and it’s there.

3. If sprinkler risers are being added to each of the four buildings, then there will need to be at minimum (1) flow switch, (1) tamper switch that will need to be monitored by the fire alarm system. Is there an expectation to pull new wire from the existing fire alarm control panel to monitor these new switches?

Response: Per section 1.14.5 in SOW, “Contractor shall install a sprinkler water flow switch. Water flow switch activation shall trigger the existing alarm system at the premises within 30 seconds of the beginning of water flow. The exterior notification device shall be a 120vac weatherproof bell.” Pulling new wire from the existing fire alarm control panel to the new switches will be necessary if required for the installation of a fully functioning NFPA 13 fire suppression system that meets code.

4. A waterflow bell will need to be installed/programmed to activate on the outside of the building if a new sprinkler is installed. Is a 120VAC bell part of the Fire Sprinkler scope of work?

Response: Per section 1.14.5 in SOW, “Contractor shall install a sprinkler water flow switch. Water flow switch activation shall trigger the existing alarm system at the premises within 30 seconds of the beginning of water flow. The exterior notification device shall be a 120vac weatherproof bell.”

5. Building 722 does not have a fire alarm manual pull station at the FACP as required by the IBC. Is the expectation to have the fire alarm system brought up to code?

Response: Per Section 1.01.A of SOW, “The system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with National Park Service Reference Manual #58 (Structural Fire Management)”. Per NPS RM-58, “Construction plans for all new construction and replacement projects shall meet the applicable requirements of the IFC, IBC, IEBC, and IRC.”

6. Building 733 does not have a fire alarm manual pull station at the FACP as required by the IBC. Is the expectation to have the fire alarm system brought up to code?

Response: Per Section 1.01.C of SOW, “The system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with National Park Service Reference Manual #58 (Structural Fire Management)”. Per NPS RM-58, “Construction plans for all new construction and replacement projects shall meet the applicable requirements of the IFC, IBC, IEBC, and IRC.”

7. Building 721does not have a fire alarm manual pull station or smoke detector at the FACP as required by the IBC. Is the expectation to have the fire alarm system brought up to code?

Fire Sprinkler Scope:

Response: Per Section 1.01.D of SOW, “The system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with National Park Service Reference Manual #58 (Structural Fire Management)”. Per NPS RM-58, “Construction plans for all new construction and replacement projects shall meet the applicable requirements of the IFC, IBC, IEBC, and IRC.”

8. All buildings: Code requires minimum three foot bury depth on underground fire mains which would require a three foot six deep ditch. What steps need to be taken to dig deeper than the artificial fill into the “sensitive area”?

Response: The NPS AHJ allows a code variance for Building 722’s fire line depth due to sensitivity of the native soils. No digging below the artificial fill in this area will be allowed by the National Park Service.

9. All buildings: Are you requiring the underground piping to be heat traced along with insulation? Insulation is not effective on non flowing water with out the use of heat trace.

Response: The SOW does not require insulation of buried underground piping. Aboveground pipe should be insulated and protected from freezing as required by NFPA 13 code 16.4 Protection of Piping, which could include heat tracing or other approved methods.

10. All buildings except #721: Is there a original solid ceiling above all of the acoustical ceilings? Or is is it open to the roof trusses?

Response: Per amendment 2, Buildings 733, 722, & 704 have solid ceilings above their acoustic drop ceilings.

11. Building #721: Has there been any structural calcs that would support the use of a scissor lift to be operated on the floor of bldg. #721?

Response: No

12. All building: Is there a single backflow preventer serving the fire line piping? Or will a backflow preventor needed for each building?

Response: Per Section 2.05.I of SOW, “Backflow Preventer: Provide double detector check valve assembly backflow preventer with gate valves. Each check valve shall have a drain. Backflow prevention assemblies shall have current "Certificate of Approval” from the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research. Means shall be provided downstream of all backflow prevention valves for flow tests at system demand.”

13. Provide the latest Fire Alarm Yearly Testing & Inspection Report for all project buildings.

Response: Attached.

14. Provide the manufacturer and model # of each existing Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU) for all project buildings.

Response: Included in Inspection Reports and updated Attachment 2.

15. Provide external photos of each FACU and interior photos of all wiring points of connection within each FACU.

Response: See amended attachment 2 for photos of the FACUs in buildings.

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