conventional fire suppression system
would routinely extinguish test fires,
the preparation room contains a foam
emergency fire suppression system
that feeds into the test room. The Fire
Safety Center also has an outdoor
fire testing area and a secure outdoor
storage area for the heptane, a highly
flammable chemical.
INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS
INCORPORATED
“This was a very unique project,” said
Rod Bagley, CVTC’s facilities director.
“There were no existing facilities to
study or model in the development
of our design. We knew what the end
result needed to be, but the challenge
was figuring out how to get there.”
30-foot ceilings and 1-foot-thick
prestressed concrete walls and
roof with fire insulation panels
in the ceiling. The room has a
computer-controlled ventilation
system with two large adjustable
fans and adjustable vents and
overhead doors to control
environmental and fire behavior
conditions. A viewing window
allows onlookers to safely view
the tests from the adjoining
observation room/classroom.
The building includes a staging
and preparation room to
assemble or refill extinguishers
or other equipment before or
after tests, as well as restrooms
and storage areas. Because a
8│TRENDS
Stephen Pederson, project manager
and lead architect for Ayres
Associates, said designing the building
took innovation. Because of the
expected heat and volume of the
flames in the test room, most of the
components – including thermostats,
electrical wiring, plumbing, and
lighting – were installed into the
protective concrete or provided with a
protective covering. Designers had to
get variances from certain fire codes,
such as those requiring installation
of sprinklers and smoke detectors.
The design also minimized exposed
metal to limit heat reflectance and
conductivity, which affects fire
behavior.
“From a size perspective we had to
meet UL requirements for volume,
while providing the dimensions to
facilitate larger test assemblies and
ultimately protect the building from
the heat and flame,” Pederson said.
“Within our design parameters –
and fixed budget – we also used the
most robust finishes and equipment
we could find on the market, from
electrical fixtures to researching
exhaust systems and containment of
the heat.”
Robert Stone, principal at JDR
Engineering, Inc., which provided
mechanical and electrical design as
a subconsultant, said the design was
a balance of providing safety and
durability for the facility and required
conditions for UL fire testing. Two
fans on the roof each can move up to
15,000 cubic feet per minute of air
with adjustable air intake vents on the
walls. A computer-controlled system
ACQUISITION OFFERS CLIENTS ADDED EXPERTISE
Ayres Associates recently added a fifth Wisconsin office by acquiring Frisbie
Architects of River Falls, Wisconsin. The acquisition in September more than
doubled Ayres’ architectural staff, and Frisbie’s River Falls office became
Ayres’ 12th office nationwide.
The relationship between the firms had been blossoming for some time,
providing successful projects together to clients – including Chippewa Valley
Technical College. During the design of the Fire Safety Center, Ayres, as a
subconsultant to Frisbie, was responsible for site civil engineering services,
while Frisbie provided architectural design for the project through an on-call
master contract with the college.
The River Falls office staff members bring a portfolio of more than 800
projects, including many that integrate sustainable design features, and our
new staff members offer our clients a new depth and diversity of architectural
expertise that will enhance the services Ayres can provide. For more
information, please visit www.AyresAssociates.com.
Use PASS Method to Extinguish Fires
To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
– Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and
release the locking mechanism.
– Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
– Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
– Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
TRENDS
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