Technical Memorandum_Balt VAMC Steel Fire Proofing FOR IFB.pdf

Technical Memorandum

CONTRACT NO. VA245-17-D-0128, DELIVERY NO. 36C24522N0259

BALTIMORE VAMC EXPOSED STRUCTURAL STEEL FIRE PROOFING INSPECTION

Subject: Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing Report and Budgetary

Cost Estimate

To: United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Cc: Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center

From:

Date:

LRS Federal LLC

20 May 2022

Under Contract No. VA245-17-D-0128, Project No. 512-21-121 with the United States

Department of Veterans Affairs, LRS Federal LLC (LRS) conducted an inspection of exposed structural steel at Building 1 of the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) located in Baltimore, Maryland. The inspection of exposed structural steel consisted of a survey of unfinished spaces in Building 1 to document the location of exposed structural steel that may require fireproofing. The unfinished spaces surveyed included the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors, the service bays in Quads A, B, C, and D on floors basement through 6th floor, interstitial and non-interstitial spaces above basement, interstitial spaces above the

1st through 6th floor, and parking levels P1, P2, and P3.

Prior to conducting the inspection of exposed structural steel, LRS requested the fire safety evaluation identifying the lack of fireproofing on the exposed structural steel throughout the Baltimore VAMC. In response to LRS’ request, the Baltimore VAMC provided a copy of the Fire/Smoke Zone Evaluation Worksheet for Health Care Facilities dated 23 September 1999 and VA Baltimore Building Description dated 15 May 2020.

Reference Attachment 1 for a copy of the aforementioned documents provided by the

Baltimore VAMC. Additionally, LRS requested any information available (including but not limited to drawings, certificate of occupancy, etc.) for the Baltimore VAMC to determine what codes were applicable when the building was constructed. However, no information was available regarding the Baltimore VAMC to determine what codes were applicable when the building was constructed. LRS made a request to the City of Baltimore for a copy of the certificate of occupancy for the Baltimore VAMC. However, a copy of the certificate of occupancy has not made available at the time of this technical memorandum.

Technical Memorandum

LRS contracted ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) to conduct the structural steel inspection. On

3 February 2022, 18 April 2022, 20 April 2022, 21 April 2022, and 19 May 2022; an on-site visual inspection was conducted in the unfinished spaces in Building 1 to document the location of exposed structural steel that may require fireproofing. During the onsite visual inspection, exposed structural steel without fireproofing was observed and documented in the unfinished spaces on the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors, the service bays in Quads A, B, C, and D on the 1st floor through 6th floor, interstitial and non-interstitial spaces above basement, and interstitial spaces above the 1st through 6th floor. Exposed structural steel observed in the service bays in Quads A, B, C, and D of the basement were fireproofed.

No exposed structural steel was observed on parking levels P1, P2, and P3. Reference the

Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing Report located in Attachment 2 for details regarding the ACM sampling event.

Following review of the Fire/Smoke Zone Evaluation Worksheet for Health Care Facilities dated 23 September 1999 and VA Baltimore Building Description dated 15 May 2020 and unavailability of the certificate of occupancy, the codes for which the Baltimore VAMC was constructed under could not be determined although both reports referenced the

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Based on the information provided and per NFPA, the Baltimore VAMC appears to be Type II construction. Exterior bearing wall ratings should either be 2-hour or 3-hour rated; columns, beams, and trusses should be 2- hour rated; and floor construction should be 2-hour rated. Therefore, exposed structural steel should have been fireproofed during the original construction to achieve a 2-hour or 3-hour rating.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Fire/Smoke Zone Evaluation Worksheet for Health Care Facilities and VA

Baltimore Building Description

Attachment 2 - Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing Report

ATTACHMENT 1

Fire/Smoke Zone Evaluation Worksheet for Health Care Facilities and

VA Baltimore Building Description

ATTACHMENT 2

Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing Report

INSPECTION OF EXPOSED STRUCTURAL STEEL

FIREPROOFING

BALTIMORE VA MEDICAL CENTER

10 NORTH GREENE STREET

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201

ECS PROJECT NO. 46:7903

FOR

LRS FEDERAL, LLC

MAY 19, 2022

May 19, 2022

Mr. John Osborn LRS Federal, LLC 8221 Ritchie Highway, Suite 300 Pasadena, Maryland 21122

ECS Project No. 46:7903

Reference: Report of Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing, Baltimore VA Medical Center, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland

Dear Mr. Osborn:

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) is pleased to provide the results of the Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing for the Baltimore VA Medical Center. ECS services were provided in general accordance with ECS Proposal No. 46:9359 authorized on February 10, 2022.

We are pleased to have this opportunity to provide consulting services for this project. If you have any questions or comments concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact us.

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

Matthew J. Dumrauf, CWI William "Rick" Hinson PE CBO Project Manager Code Plan Review Department Manager MDumrauf@ecslimited.com WHinson@ecslimited.com 410-725-8807 540-627-6413

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

1340 Charwood Road, Suite B, Hanover, Maryland 21076 • T: 410-859-4300 • F: 703-834-5527 • ecslimited.com

PAGETABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Information

1.2 Scope of Services

1.3 Limitations

2.0 OBSERVATIONS

2.1 Conditions Observed

3.0 PROCEDURE

4.0 CONCLUSIONS

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

ECS Project No. 46:7903

TABLE OF APPENDICES

Appendix I:

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Information

The Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center opened in January 1993, and is located next to the University of Maryland Medical Center with a walkway connecting the two facilities. Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center is the acute medical and surgical care facility for the VA Maryland Health Care System and offers a full range of inpatient, outpatient and primary care services.

As part of the renovation, LRS Federal was required to determine the requirement of fire protective assemblies (gypsum based or spray on fire resistive material) for Building 1 Structural steel to confirm compliance with drawings and applicable codes at the time of original construction. Building 1 is the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center located at 10. North Green Street Baltimore, MD. Locations with exposed steel include but are not limited to the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors, the service bays in Quads A, B, C, and D on floors Basement through 6th floor, interstitial and non-interstitial spaces above basement, interstitial spaces above floors 1 through 6, and parking levels P1, P2, and P3

1.2 Scope of Services

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) is pleased to provide you with our site visit results and review of relevent codes and requirements for fire rated protection of selected structural steel. This report provides the results of our Inspection of Exposed Structural Steel Fireproofing for the Baltimore VA Medical Center project. ECS services were provided in general accordance with ECS Proposal No.

46:9359 authorized on February 10, 2022.

1.3 Limitations

Our observations of the buildings were limited to readily accessible areas only. Interior areas such as crawl spaces or areas obscured by stored items, furniture, equipment, etc. are not considered readily accessible.

2.0 OBSERVATIONS

ECS was on-site February 3, 2022, April 18, 2022, April 20, 2022, and April 21, 2022 to inspect exposed structural steel fire-proofing. The following structural steel members listed in Section 2.1 were not fire-proofed.

2.1 Conditions Observed

February 3, 2022 Parking Levels P1, P2, and P3

• No exposed steel observed on these levels

April 18, 2022 5th Floor to 8th Floor Quads A, B, C, and D

6th floor - Quad C Service Bay

• 1 exposed beam over door

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

7th floor - Quad A Service Bay

• 14 exposed column

7th floor - Quad D Service Bay

• 3 exposed beams

• 26 exposed beams

8th floor - Quad A Service Bay (8A-101)

• 2 exposed beams

• 15 exposed columns

8th floor - Quad D Service Bay (8D-102

• 12 exposed columns

Elevator Machine Room

• 1 exposed beam

• 1 exposed column

April 20, 2022 Interstitial Spaces 1st Floor to 7th Floor Quads A, B, C, and D

Interstitial Space between Floor 1 and Floor 2 Quad A

• 10 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 2 and Floor 3 Quad A

• 7 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 3 and Floor 4 Quad A

• 11 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 4 and Floor 5 Quad A

• 7 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 1 and Floor 2 Quad B

• 6 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 2 and Floor 3 Quad B

• 7 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 3 and Floor 4 Quad B

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

• 10 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 4 and Floor 5 Quad B

• 7 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 5 and Floor 6 Quad B

• 8 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 6 and Floor 7 Quad B

• 11 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 1 and Floor 2 Quad C

• Could not access this area

Interstitial Space between Floor 2 and Floor 3 Quad C

• 20 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 3 and Floor 4 Quad C

• 34 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 4 and Floor 5 Quad C

• 16 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 5 and Floor 6 Quad C

• 15 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 6 and Floor 7 Quad C

• 21 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 1 and Floor 2 Quad D

• Could not access this area

Interstitial Space between Floor 2 and Floor 3 Quad D

• 25 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 3 and Floor 4 Quad D

• 19 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 4 and Floor 5 Quad D

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

• 19 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 5 and Floor 6 Quad D

• 19 exposed beams

Interstitial Space between Floor 6 and Floor 7 Quad D

• 4 exposed beams

April 21, 2022 Service Bays Quad A, B, C, and D

Service Bay 2A-114 Quad A

• 1 exposed column

• 2 exposed beams

Service Bay 3A-133 Quad A

• 1 exposed beam

• 1 exposed column

Service Bay 4A-133 Quad A

• 1 exposed column

Service Bay 1B-141 Quad B

• 1 exposed beam

Service Bay 2B-118 Quad B

• 1 exposed column

Service Bay 4B-182 Quad B

• 1 exposed column

Service Bay 2C-124 Quad C

• 1 exposed column

Service Bay 3C Quad C

• Could not access this area

Service Bay 4C-100 Quad C

• 2 beams with exposed areas missing fire-proofing

Service Bay 1D-166 Quad D

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

• 2 exposed beams

• 1 exposed column

Service Bay 2D-126 Quad D

• 2 exposed columns

• 2 exposed beams

Service Bay 3D-119 Quad D

• 2 exposed beams

• 2 exposed columns

Service Bay 4D-154 Quad D

• 1 exposed beam over door

3.0 PROCEDURE

ECS made site visits to observe what steel members appear to be compliant/non-compliant. ECS noted how many steel members in each location were not protected by Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM).

4.0 CONCLUSIONS

ECS requested project drawings and the Certificate of Occupancy to determine what the building construction type is and what code the building was constructed under. ECS was not provided with any of this information, ECS was only provided with a file named VA Baltimore Building description dated May 15, 2020 and Fire/Smoke Zone Evaluation Worksheet for Health Care Facilities dated September 23, 1999. Based on the information provided, ECS was unable to determine what codes the building was constructed under although we note that both reports referenced the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

Based on the documents we received there is appears to be a discrepancy in the construction type code. The VA Baltimore Building description dated May 15, 2020 lists the construction type code as Type II (222) and Fire/Smoke Zone Evaluation Worksheet for Health Care Facilities dated September 23, 1999 lists the construction type code as Type II (322). These construction types or classifications are noted as National Fire protection Association (NFPA) classifications and not either Building Official Code Association (BOCA) or International Building Code (IBC) classifications.

NFPA 220, Standards on Types of Building Construction defines types of building construction based on combustibility and the fire resistance rating of a building's structural elements. Based on the information provided to ECS and per NFPA the building appears to be Type II construction. Exterior bearing wall ratings should either be 2 hour or 3 hour rated, columns, beams and trusses should be 2 hour rated and floor construction should be 2 hour rated.

Based on the information provided to ECS, exposed steel should have been fire-proofed during the original construction to achieve a 2 hour or 3 hour rating.

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

ECS feels the conservative approach to addressing the required wall rating would be to meet the most restricted or higher rating.

May 19, 2022 ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

1 - Exposed Steel 1

2 - Exposed Steel 2

3 - Exposed Steel 3

4 - Exposed Steel 4

5 - Exposed Steel 5

6 - Exposed Steel 6

7 - Exposed Steel 7

8 - Exposed Steel 8

9 - Exposed Steel 9

10 - Exposed Steel 10

11 - Exposed Steel 11

12 - Exposed Steel 12

13 - Exposed Steel 13

14 - Exposed Steel 14

15 - Exposed Steel 15

ATTACHMENT 3 - Budget Cost Estimate_Baltimore VAMC Structural Steel