HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding 3 - Smoke Control Special Inspection Report
5788 Widewaters Parkway, Suite 2A
Syracuse, New York 13214
United States
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GHD
Our ref: 12639256
June 28, 2024
Drew Bloss
Integrated Acquisition & Development Corp.
drewb@inteprop.com
Catherine Commons Building 3 Smoke Control Special Inspection Report
Dear Mr. Bloss,
GHD Consulting Services Inc. (“GHD”) witnessed the functional testing of the Building 3 elevator pressurization
system at Catherine Commons in Ithaca, NY on Friday June 28, 2024. Initial testing was performed on
Thursday May 16, 2024 with re-tests performed on Tuesday May 21, 2024 and Tuesday June 26, 2024.
Measurements were performed by GHD to the following requirements.
Measurement Requirement(s) Reference(s)
Pressure Differential – Stairways 0.05 in. of H2O minimum
BCNYS 909.6.1
NFPA 92 Table 4.4.2.1.1
Force for Stairway Door Opening 30 lbs. maximum BCNYS 1010.1.3
Pressure Differential – Elevators 0.10 in. of H2O minimum
0.25 in. of H2O maximum
BCNYS 909.21.1
This letter documents the results of the third-party special inspection as required by Building Code of New York
State sections 909.18.8 and 1705.18. The following measurements were observed by GHD. The below
documents the condition of the systems at the conclusion of testing.
Building 3A Elevator (D-1 & D-2)
Fans SCF-6A and SCF-6B both set at 100% capacity
Floor Pressure Differential
(in. of H2O)
Notes
8 0.11 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
7 0.17 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
6 0.16 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
5 0.16 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
4 0.16 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
3 0.15 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
2 0.14 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
G 0.10 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on alternate recall floor (Second Floor).
LL 0.11 Elevator cab and hoistway doors open on primary recall floor (Ground Floor).
12639256 | Catherine Commons Building 3 Smoke Control Special Inspection Report 2
GHD was made aware that alternations were made to fans SCF-6A and SCF-6B to increase output to
approximately 21,000 cfm. Alterations were also made within the elevator hoistway to reduce leakage on the
primary and alternate recall floors. Both of these modifications appear to have resulted in an increased
pressure differential between the elevator hoistway and adjacent floors as compared to previous tests.
GHD witnessed the closure of the elevator hoistway temperature control damper upon manual activation of the
elevator hoistway pressurization system. This was noted as a deficiency on previous testing.
GHD witnessed retesting of all smoke control systems operating on alternate (generator) power. Alternate
power was activated approximately 9.5 seconds following the primary power interruption at the main disconnect
switch. All smoke control systems returned to their pre-power interruption state after approximately 7 minutes.
It was noted during retesting of the smoke control systems on alternate power that the Building 3A South
Stairwell pressurization system was not operational. Corrective action was taken during testing to mitigate the
issue. It was also noted that Building 3A North Stairwell and Building 3B Stairwell had pressure differentials
exceeding previous GHD witnessed testing. The door from Building 3B Stairwell to the ground floor (swings
outward from stairs) would not close due to the increased pressure differential. Also, door force openings
exceeded 30 lbs. at multiple locations for both stairwells. Corrective actions were made during testing to reduce
fan outputs for both stairwells.
It is important that fans serving the elevator and stairwell pressurization systems are set as documented in the
previous GHD smoke control inspection reports and as follows:
· Building 3A North Stairwell – Fan SCF-4 set at 45% capacity
· Building 3A South Stairwell – Fan SCF-5 set at 70% capacity
· Building 3A Elevator – Fans SCF-6A and SCF-6B both set at 100% capacity
· Building 3B Stairwell – Fan SCF-7 set at 45% capacity
Based on the installation review and testing witnessed by GHD, it is our understanding that at the conclusion of
testing on Friday June 28, all Building 3 smoke control systems met the requirements of the Building Code of
New York State.
If you should have any questions, feel free to contact our office.
Regards
Scott Beverly, PE PMSFPE
Fire Protection Engineer
315.802.0263
scott.beverly@ghd.com
Copy to: Chris Hamilton, Ithaca Fire Department