VA_WAC Fire Suppression - Bid Set Narrative.pdf

JUNE 25, 2021

100% BID SET

DESIGN NARRATIVE

IMPROVE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

CAMPUS WIDE

VA Project #674A4-21-110

PREPARED FOR:

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NETWORK

DORIS MILLER VA MEDICAL CENTER

4800 Memorial Drive

Waco, TX 76710

PREPARED BY:

CB DESIGN GROUP, INC.

421 King St., Suite 301

Alexandria, VA 22314

A/E IMPROVE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM 100% Bid Set Submission

Doris Miller VA Medical Center Project No. 674A4-20-110

June 25, 2021

2 | P a g e

PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

3 | P a g e

General

This is a campus-wide project to upgrade the existing fire suppression systems at the Waco, TX VA Medical Center. An initial site survey was completed to review the existing conditions of all buildings required to be sprinklered on campus. These buildings have been put in a priority order based on the following factors.

1. Priority 1 buildings are identified as buildings housing patients.

2. Priority 2 buildings are identified as buildings currently being leased by other entities beyond the VA.

3. Priority 3 buildings are identified as those occupied by VA personnel, engineering and shops.

Codes and Standards

The fire protection design for the area within the scope of work will be done in accordance with, but not limited to, the following VA design standards:

1. Veterans Affairs Fire Protection Design Manual, Seventh Edition, revised December 2015 (VAFPDM)

The fire protection codes and standards planned to be utilized are the latest editions of the National Fire Codes (NFC) published by the National

Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Where fire protection features are not addressed by the NFC, the International Building Code (IBC) or another referenced standard shall be used. NFC standards for the base code references are as follows:

1. NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

2. NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code

Should the codes from the International Code Council (ICC) need to be consulted, the following form the base code references:

1. International Building Code (IBC)

2. International Fire Code (IFC)

3. International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

4. International Mechanical Code (IMC)

5. International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Existing Conditions

1. Water Supply - Water distribution is provided to the VA campus from a single water tower located on the north border of the campus. This tower is filled via a water pump located near the base of the tower.

A supplemental water storage tank is located at the ground level for refilling purposes of the water tower. This water tower supplies domestic and fire suppression water to all buildings on campus.

4 | P a g e

There are two water mains that circle the campus following the path of Doris Miller Circle as well as other branches to the buildings off the main campus circle. Most buildings have separate domestic and water supplies into the buildings. It is noted that there may be some interconnection of the domestic and fire water underground piping.

Water flow information for each building will be noted on the contract documents.

2. Fire Alarm Systems – A new, fully addressable fire alarm system will be installed in each building on campus requiring a fire alarm system.

Interface with the existing fire suppression systems will be performed under a separate contract.

3. Fire Department Connections – Each building will maintain the fire department connection location as indicated on the contract documents or will be relocated as recommended.

4. Backflow prevention – There are several buildings that do not have an interior control valve and/or backflow prevention on the incoming fire line. The scope of work on this project is to ensure there is a control valve and backflow preventer on each building, regardless of Priority

Level.

5. Fire and Smoke Separation – Review and modification of the existing fire and smoke modifications are not included in this scope of work.

6. Life Safety Code Analysis – Review and analysis of life safety and code compliance in regard to Building Construction Type, Allowable

Height and Area, Exit Calculations, Occupancy and Smoke Control

Features are not included in this scope of work.

7. Kitchen Extinguishing Systems – Existing kitchen fire extinguishing systems shall remain as is and are not included in this scope of work.

8. Fire Extinguishers and Fire Extinguisher Cabinets – Existing Fire

Extinguishers and Fire Extinguisher Cabinets shall remain as is and are not included in this scope of work.

9. Fireproofing of Structural Members – Review and analysis of existing fireproofing of structural members is not included in this scope of work.

10. Exit Signs and Emergency Lighting – Review and analysis of existing exit signs and emergency lighting are not included in this scope of work.

11. Fire Resistive Ratings – Wall sections indicating fire resistive ratings are not included in this scope of work.

12. Evacuation Plan Signage – Review and analysis of Evacuation Plan signage is not included in this scope of work.

13. Door and Window Schedules – Review and analysis of door and window schedules with fire rating or glazing is not included in this scope of work.

Fire Suppression Systems

The scope of work for this project is to review the existing fire suppression systems in all buildings on campus and recommend any upgrades or repair necessary for a fully compliant system. The buildings have been grouped in

5 | P a g e order of priority. Priority level and budget will dictate the exact scope of work for each building.

Interfaces

The new and existing fire suppression devices will interface with new fire alarm equipment and systems as required by NFPA 72, NFPA 101 and the VAFPDM.

Examples of fire suppression equipment and systems include but are not limited to:

• Tamper switches

• Flow switches

• High/low pressure switches

• Kitchen hood extinguishing systems

• Nitrogen generation monitoring devices

Buildings Included In This Project

Priority Level 1

Building 4 - Outpatient Clinic / Pharmacy / Lab / Radiology

Building 4 is a fully sprinklered building with 48,178 total square feet over two stories of occupied space in addition to a fully sprinklered attic and mechanical penthouse. The scope of work for Building 4 is to replace the entire main valve assembly and all associated sprinkler zone control riser assemblies from the underground main in the mechanical room to the top of risers in the mechanical room. The riser mounted air compressor shall be replaced with a new nitrogen generator for all dry systems. The existing dry attic system shall be removed in its entirety back to and including the existing dry pipe valve. All sprinkler components that comprise the dry attic system shall be removed. A new attic dry pipe system shall be installed utilizing black steel piping. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building.

Building 6 - Auditorium

Building 6 is a partially sprinklered building and 25,803 total square feet over two stories with an additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to demolish the existing fire suppression systems in their entirety all the way back to the underground lead in and install a new, fully compliant sprinkler system. A fire hose valve shall be installed at the stage as required. The aesthetics of the Auditorium space shall be taken into consideration when designing the sprinkler systems.

Building 7 - Blind Rehab Unit / RISE Unit

Building 7 is fully sprinklered and 66,858 total square feet of occupied space over three stories. There are also two attic spaces in addition to a mechanical penthouse and a mechanical space in the sub-basement. The scope of work for this building is replace the entire attic dry system in both attic spaces and the mechanical penthouse in its entirety, back to and

6 | P a g e including the dry pipe valves. The existing air compressor shall be replaced with a new nitrogen generator for all dry systems. All sub-basement bulk supply piping shall be replaced with black steel piping. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building.

Building 11 - Nursing Home

Building 11 is fully sprinklered and 58,653 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to and including the dry pipe valve. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building.

Building 91 - Specialty Clinics

Building 91 is fully sprinklered and 56,169 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to, but not including the dry pipe valve. Install a new nitrogen generator for all the dry systems. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building. Replace all institutional sprinklers in the

Basement Level Community Living Space with Quick Response sprinklers.

Building 94 - Inpatient Psych / SMILE unit / Acute Psych

Building 94 is fully sprinklered and 71,201 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to, but not including the dry pipe valve. In addition, replace the entire dry system in the loading dock back to and including the dry pipe valve. Replace the existing riser mounted air compressor with a new nitrogen generator for the dry systems. Add a low air alarm and air maintenance device for each dry system. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location

Priority Level 2

Building 90 – HRC Pharmacy Call Center

Building 90 is fully sprinklered and 55,340 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with an additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to demolish and replace the entire main valve assembly, all associated sprinkler zone control riser assemblies and all sprinkler components inside the sub-basement mechanical room throughout the entire mechanical space. In addition, replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to the dry pipe valve. A new nitrogen generator shall be installed for the dry pipe systems. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location

7 | P a g e

Building 92 – FSC VA Finance Center

Building 92 is fully sprinklered and 53,742 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to demolish and replace the entire main valve assembly and all associated sprinkler zone control riser assemblies starting inside the crawl space in the mechanical room. Route new drains in mechanical room to sump pump as the floor drain is unable to handle water. In addition, replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to the dry pipe valve.

Install a new nitrogen generator for the dry pipe systems. All Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building. Replace all sprinklers in the loading dock dry system.

Building 93 - Future Center of Excellence

Building 93 is fully sprinklered and 52,950 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to, but not including the dry pipe valve.

Priority Level 3

Some Priority Level 3 buildings do not have the required backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in. We consider adding these components to be required as part of this project, regardless of the priority level of the building. Any scope of work for a priority level 3 building beyond the required backflow preventer and control valve shall be at the discretion of the VA.

Building 2 - Administrative

Building 2 is partially sprinklered and 21,315 total square feet over three stories of occupied space in addition to attic space. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in. The additional scope of work, as the budget allows, is to demolish the existing fire suppression systems in their entirety all the way back to the underground lead in and install a new, fully compliant sprinkler system. The existing standpipes may remain in place, however the existing fire hose valves shall be replaced with new.

The current Fire Department Connection location is not easily accessible.

Coordinate with the responding fire department on a new location for the

Fire Department Connection.

Building 5 – Pharmacy / Education

Building 5 is partially sprinklered and 48,463 total square feet over three stories of occupied space in addition to an attic space. . As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in. The additional scope of work, as the budget allows, is to demolish the existing fire suppression systems in their entirety all the way back to the underground lead in and install a new, fully compliant sprinkler system. The existing standpipes and fire hose valves shall be demolished and replaced with new.

8 | P a g e

Building 8 – MHICM Program / Future Acute Mental Health

Building 8 is fully sprinklered and 42,887 total square feet of occupied space over three stories in addition to the attic space. The scope of work for this building is to replace the dry attic system in its entirety back to and including the dry pipe valve.

Building 12 - Reg’l Council / Prosthetics / EMS / Vacant

Building 12 is 17,507 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. Building 12 is currently vacant. The building is fully sprinklered, however the systems are currently out of service. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in. The control valve will be closed and the building left out of service.

Building 15/98 - VBA

Buildings 15 and 98 are fully sprinklered and have a combined total of

17,543 square feet of occupied space over one story. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in. Building 15 and 98 each have a separate underground lead in and main valve assembly. The scope of work to add a backflow preventer and control valve applies to both building 15 and

98.

Building 16 - Garage

Building 16 is fully sprinklered and 5,490 total square feet of occupied space over one story. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead

in. The additional scope of work, as the budget allows, is to replace all

Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older and Standard Response sprinklers dated 50 years and older one for one, matching type and location

Building 18 - Police

Building 18 is fully sprinklered and 10,452 total square feet of occupied space over three stories with additional attic space. The scope of work for this building is to replace the existing dry attic system in its entirety back to and including the dry pipe valve. A new riser mounted air compressor shall be installed for the dry pipe system. All Standard Response sprinklers dated 50 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building. Remove and dispose of the existing chemical hood system in sub-basement.

Building 24 – FMS / Shops

Building 24 is fully sprinklered and 10,630 total square feet over one story. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in.

9 | P a g e

Building 99 - FMS Shops

Building 99 is fully sprinklered and 13,168 total square feet of occupied space over two stories. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in. The additional scope of work, as the budget allows, is to replace all Quick Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older and Standard Response sprinklers dated 50 years and older one for one, matching type and location

Building 189 - Transportation

Building 189 is fully sprinklered and 2,087 total square feet of occupied space over one story. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in.

Building 202 – Dietetics / Future VCS

Building 202 is fully sprinklered and 28,217 total square feet of occupied space over one story.. The scope of work for this building is to demolish and replace the entire main valve assembly and all associated sprinkler zone control riser assemblies starting at the underground lead in. All Quick

Response sprinklers dated 20 years and older shall be replaced one for one, matching type and location throughout the building.

Building 219 – Kinesiology / Physical Therapy

Building 219 is fully sprinklered and 4,550 total square feet of occupied space over one story. As a Priority 3 building, the required scope of work is to demolish the existing backflow preventer in the valve pit outside the building and add a backflow preventer and control valve at the underground lead in inside the building. The existing backflow preventer is inaccessible and therefore difficult to service and inspect.