HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-ATTACHMENT 2 HANGAR STUDY OCFA LETTERATTACHMENT 2
Community Development Department
September 11, 2017
Mr. Kenneth Piguee
Management Analyst
City of Tustin
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92780
Subject: Tustin Hangar Report
Mr. Piguee,
TUSTIN
I have reviewed the Report by Page and Turnbull dated August 2017 and have presented issues based on
my comment provided to you in my Memo dated 8-21-17. Since this Report is stated as a preliminary
document and actual recommendations are not yet formulated until such time that the proposed further
evaluation occurs, I believe the Report has been thorough in bringing to light the issues necessary when
considering short and long term use of the Hangar.
As a preliminary document, it has gathered material testing and evaluation, code analysis considerations,
fire modeling information to consider "performance-based design" options and has discussed limitations
and condition of the structure. While further studies are intended, the material presented to date is
pertinent and of value to move in the right direction.
For those who will be reviewing the Report it should be noted that in addition to not being conclusive at
this point, that the wide range of uses and occupant loads mentioned in different scenarios are
hypothetical at this point and different levels of building upgrades and costs would be necessary in order
to allow longterm higher occupant load uses.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Fazekas, AIA, NCARB, CBO, LEED AP, CASP
Building Official
City of Tustin
9 Corporate Park, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92606
sfairvine@aol.com (949)475-
2901
Fax (949)475-2560
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780 P: (714) 573-3100 F: (714) 573-3113 www.tustinca.org
March 16, 2017
ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
P.O. Box 57115, Irvine, CA 92619-7115 • 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602
Jeff Bowman, Fire Chief (714) 573-6000 www.ocfa.org
Mr. Kenneth Piguee, Management Analyst
City of Tustin, Economic Development Department
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92780
Subj ect: Tustin Hangar 2 Study - Final Report
Conditions Assessment and Reuse Study
Dear Ken
We received the final report of the above -referenced project and the following comments
summarize our findings:
Blimp Maintenance & Storage (Current Use):
Findings: The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) concurs with the limited use of the hangar,
as stated under "Occupancy Considerations for Maintenance Recommendations" in the Tustin
Hangar 2 Study.
Recommended Solution: The City of Tustin and OCFA will jointly issue a temporary permit to
limit the number of people, based on the special event type on a "case-by-case" basis, pending the
selection and completion of future adoptive reuse options.
Adaptive Reuse (Future Use):
Findings: The critical portion of this type of assembly -use is safe egress of the occupants during
emergency events. The major concern with a significant number of people gathering within a
confined space is human behavior when impacted by a panic -factor. During recent meetings,
Jensen Hughes, the fire and life safety consultant, provided us with an overview of their mass
evacuation modeling, which addressed various scenarios with the maximum number of occupants.
OCFA expressed concern that these models did not incorporate a "shuffling" factor, which
increases exit times and frequently occurs when large numbers of people exit from areas, such as
subways, stadiums, and large assemblies. Within the study, the "Rehabilitation Option" was
determined to be an example that incorporates many narrow exits where "shuffling" during mass
exiting is likely to occur and potentially reduce occupant exit times.
Serving the Cities of. Aliso Viejo • Buena Park • Cypress • Dana Point • Irvine • Laguna Hills • Laguna Niguel • Laguna Woods • Lake Forest • La Palma
Los Alamitos • Mission Viejo • Placentia • Rancho Santa Margarita -San Clemente • San Juan Capistrano • Santa Ana • Seal Beach • Stanton • Tustin • Villa Park
Westminster • Yorba Linda • and Unincorporated Areas of Orange County
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS AND SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES
Tustin Hangar 2
Fire & Life Safety/Assessment & Reuse Study
March 16, 2017
Based on these findings and the review of the Tustin Hangar Study 2, as it relates to Fire Life
Safety, OCFA has determined:
1.) Jensen Hughes identified and modeled four scenarios and recommended Scenario 3 for
improving egress from the hangar bay for both current type uses and special events. OCFA
concurs with Jensen Hughes recommendation of Scenario 3, with the exception that all of
the pedestrian man doors would be used for exiting as well.
2.) Additionally the OCFA concurs with the "Renovation Option", which appears to be
reasonable and practical. This option allows two wide existing fold -up doors on the north
and south sides of the hangar to be utilized as the primary paths of egress. The Renovation
Option also provides good flexibility for exiting options during various types of large
occupancy uses.
Overview of Fire and Life Safety Systems:
1. Fire Sprinkler System: The fire sprinkler system will not be effective in the open area of
the hangar due to the high -ceiling. OCFA agrees with the Jensen Hughes assessment that
the open area of the hangar will remain without a fire sprinkler system. There are existing
sprinkler systems in the low -ceiling (shed spaces) areas of the hangar. These systems will
be activated when these spaces are planned to be open to staff or public.
2. Fire Alarm and Detection System: A fire alarm system will be provided in all areas of the
occupied portion of the hangar in accordance with fire code standards and NFPA 72.
3. Water Fire Hydrants: There are existing fire hydrants around Hangar 2. It is imperative to
evaluate the conditions of the hydrants to make sure they are operational or identify other
alternatives to provide a fire protection water supply. OCFA is eager to help the team assess
and evaluate any further options.
On behalf of OCFA, I look forward to working with the team to initiate the project and help
maintain our safe community.
Sincerely,
Va.{Ai& To -o -y
Vahid Toossi, P.E.
Fire Protection Engineer
cc: Lori Smith, Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal
Tim Kerbrat, Deputy Fire Marshal
Robert Distaso, Fire Safety Engineer
Serving the Cities of. Aliso Viejo • Buena Park • Cypress • Dana Point • Irvine • Laguna Hills • Laguna Niguel • Laguna Woods • Lake Forest • La Palma
Los Alamitos • Mission Viejo • Placentia • Rancho Santa Margarita -San Clemente • San Juan Capistrano • Santa Ana • Seal Beach • Stanton • Tustin • Villa Park
Westminster • Yorba Linda • and Unincorporated Areas of Orange County
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS AND SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES