Project Type: Design, Construction Administration
The Vital Structure:
Fire Department Connection Building Penetration
Issue
Vital Structures was retained by a prominent facility in Boston, to assist with design and construction administration of a new pipe penetration through their existing green roof plaza system. The purpose of this new pipe penetration was to install a new test header for the building’s fire suppression system. However, we were informed that the existing building is a highly sensitive area with no tolerance for leaks.
Diagnosis
With the assistance of a qualified contractor, Vital Structures performed test pits in the area of the ‘plaza’ where the proposed pipe penetration would be located. While the owners and their mechanical engineer had a general location for the pipe penetration, they requested that Vital Structures review the building framing to determine the final location of the penetration, with minimal impact to the strength of the structure. Therefore, we required that the composite roof deck be scanned with ground penetrating radar (GPR), to identify reinforcing steel and deck flute locations. Furthermore, we reviewed the existing waterproofing system, in an effort to confirm compatibility of our new penetration waterproofing system with the existing waterproofing system.
Result
Vital Structures provided the owners with a design for the new pipe penetration. Our design specified the location of the pipe penetration, structural strengthening of the roof slab, and waterproofing details. This design was implemented by a qualified waterproofing contractor and sprinkler fitter. Vital Structures conducted three (3) site visits during this project’s construction, to review the cored roof deck, surface preparation of substrates, epoxy-grout core infill, and waterproofing. Following our final review of the waterproofing systems, the area was backfilled and pipe connected to the balance of the fire suppression system.