LETTER FROM FIRE MARSHALL REGARDING VIOLATIONS OF LOCAL FIRE CODES AT AIRPARK
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C'I T Y
OF
CLEARWATER
POST OFFICE BOX 4748
C LEA R W ATE R, F LOR IDA 3 4 6 1 8 - 4 7 4 8
C"lty Manager
RECEIVED
July 18, 1989
~UL 19 ]989
Mr. Ri ck Emshoff
Suncoast Aviation
1000 N. Hercules Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 3462S
Cl'li CLEBK
Dear Mr. Emshoff:
As the attached report from the City of Clearwater Fire Marshal indicates,
s.everalpractices at the airpark are in direct violation of local fire codes.
The report was discussed at the last Airpott Authorfty meeting of July 5, 19S9.
Practices of most concern to the Fire Marshal involve those of doping or spray
painting or otherwise aerosol spraying of flammable liquids or other material at
the airpark. Also of great concern is the storage of flammable liquids in the
hangar areas, particularly in amounts of more than five gallons. THOSE HANGARS
AND THE MAIN MAINTENANCE HANGAR ARE NOT DESIGNED OR EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE
FIRE PROTECTION FOR THESE HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS.
As the attached estimates show, the costs to bring these dilapidated structures
up to code to allow hazardous maintenance operations to be performed for the main
hangar would be $66,742. Improvements required are to provide one-hour fire
separation in the areas identified and to provide a sprinkler/foam system for
this area. To bring private hangars on the south end of the field into
compliance to allow existing operations to continue would cost $3,917 to provide
concrete curbing separating the individual hangars; $28,301 to provide the fire
separation between the hangars; and $125,000 to provide a sprinkler system in the
ten units. It should be noted that the sprinkler system for the closed hangars
does not include the addition of a City water supply and meter together with a
fire pump and electrical service at that location.
Considering the requirements stated above, the total cost to modify existing
structures on the airpark to allow work with flammables within them in any
fashion exceed $223,000. It is neither prudent nor economical to modify these
structures to accommodate these operations when the structures themselves need to
be either replaced or totally refurbished to meet the recommendations of the
Airpark Master Plan prepared by Greiner & Associates. CONSEQUENTLY, ALL SPRAYING
INVOLVING FLAMMABLES AT EXISTING FACILITIES MUST CEASE IMMEDIATELY.
The City is taking action at its own expense on each of the remaining items in
the attached fire inspection report. Corrections to the Fire Marshal 's report
were started immediately upon receipt of the fire inspection report on June 16,
1989, and are anticipated to be completed within the next 60 days. A team of
City Building and Maintenance and Fire Marshal personnel is working together to
address and resolve these deficiencies as noted in the attachment.
"Eaual Employment and Affirmative Action Employer"
Jf1:DfI-!P~
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Mr. Rick Emshoff
July 18, 1989
Page 2
Until such time as facilities specifically designed to accommodate painting and
doping or other spraying operations involving flammables are provided under the
rehabilitation program recommended by the Master Plan, it is necessary for all
painting and doping operations involving flammables on the airfield to be
discontinued immediately. Additionally, no storage of flammables in amounts
above five gallons shall be permitted anywhere on the airpark unless stored in an
area specifically approved by the City Fire Marshal. Violation of these
directives shall result in prosecution under the local fire codes and may put the
status of the violator as a present or future lessee, renter or user of the
airpark in jeopardy.
Suncoast Aviation is directed to furnish this letter to all pilots and tenants on
the airfield.
Th1s policy will remain in effect until further notice. The Commission has
repeatedly expressed its support for a safe and viable Airpark for Clearwater at
this location. Staff continues to seek state and federal assistance which will
allow the needed improvements under the Master Plan to be completed without
overly burdening the taxpayers of the City of Clearwater. I understand that many
tenants have already taken steps to comply with the directions of the Fire
Marshal and the recommendations of Val Mahan, Staff Coordinator. With your
continued cooperation, we can endeavor to make this Airpark work for you.
Sincerely,
~~ It--~l,-
Charles A. Hunsicker
Assistant City Manager/Operations
Attachments
cc: Ron H. Rabun, City Manager
City Commission
Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager
William C. Baker, Director of Public Works
Fire Chief Robert Davidson
Floyd Carter, Director of General Services
Nick Lewis, Fire Marshal
Keith Crawford, ADPW/Transportation
M. A. Galbraith, City Attorney~
Cyndie Goudeau, City Clerk ~
Eddie VOiland, Building & Maintenance Superintendent
Jeff Daniels, Fire Inspector
Risk Management
Airport Authority
~~
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I CITY OF CLEARWATER
Interdepartmental Memorandum
TO: Val Mahan, Assistant to Public Works Director
FROM: Fire Marshal N. W. Lewis
COPIES: Ci ty Manager Ron Rabun
Assistant City Manager Charles Hunsicker
Assistant City Manager Michael Wright
Fire Chief R. L. Davidson
SUBJECT: C 1 ea rwater Ai r' Park
DATE:
June 16, 1989
A fire inspection was conducted at the Clearwater Air Park, located at 1000
Hercules Avenue N., on June 16, 1989. The following is a list of violations
noted.
CITY ACTIONS TAKEN
CLUB HOUSE
1. Repair vertical openings in both storage closets.
WORK ORDER ISSUED
MAIN REPAIR HANGAR (Extremely Hazardous Operation)
1. Spray painting of airplanes with flammable
paints not allowed.
CEASE AND DESIST
2. Spraying of flammable glues not allowed in
upholstery shop.
CEASE AND DESIST
3. The procedure known as "doping" not allowed.
CEASE AND DESIST
4. Provide a rated room for flammable storage.
BEING RESEARCHED AS
TO ACCEPTABILITY OF
STORAGE CABINETS
5. Separate office and parts rooms with a
NONE UNTIL
RENOVATIONS
I-hour fire separation.
6. Repair fusible link on parts washer.
BEING RESEARCHED AS
TO BEST OPTION - MAY
INVOLVE WASHING
SERVICE
7. Provide general cleanup of hangar inside and out.
REQUESTED OF EVERYONE
TORCHES AND WELDERS
TO BE USED ELSEWHERE
--OUTSIDE. SPRAY
PAINTING & DOPING TO
BE NONFLAMMABLE
8. Use of cutting torches, welders, spray painting
and doping is not allowed unless a foam-water
deluge system or a combination sprinkler/low
foam system is installed to code.
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Val Mahan, Assistant tOIPUbliC Works Director
June 16, 1989
Page 2
FUELING AREA
1. Remove hold-open device on fuel nozzle.
2. Provide emergency shut-off switch.
3. Provide placards for emergency shut-off and
no smoking.
4. Only authorized personnel shall fuel planes.
5. Portable extinguishers shall be located at a
remote station near pumps but away from
fueling apron.
PRIVATE HANGARS (Hazardous Operation)
1. Provide curbing between each separate hangar to
stop flow of flammable liquids.
2. Provide I-hour separation between each compartment.
3. General cleanup of Unit #10.
4. Provide a complete sprinkler system due to
evidence of hazardous operations in some private
compartments.
5. Noted electrical problems such as open outlets,
wire not run in conduit, and much unlicensed work.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Emergency phone system not working properly.
2. Private hangar near park entrance was reported by
park manager as being a fire hazard, but was not
allowed entrance by owner.
3. Provide master lock on all hangars so as to gain
access in case of emergency.
4. Recommend additional hydrants on grounds as only
one exists at entrance.
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CITY ACTIONS TAKEN
CITY WORK ORDER 2712
PURCHASE ORDER TO BE
ISSUED.
CITY WORK ORDER 2712
PLACARDS TO BE
PROVIDED
CITY WORK ORDER 2712
NO MAINTENANCE OR
HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS
WILL BE ALLOWED IN
STORAGE HANGARS
NO HAZARDOUS OPERA-
TIONS WILL BE ALLOWED
IN HANGARS
REQUESTED OF EVERYONE
CEASE HAZARDOUS
OPERATIONS
NOT NEEDED IF MAIN-
TENANCE NOT PERFORMED
IN HANGARS
NOW IN WORKING ORDER
APPOINTMENT BEING
MADE FOR INSPECTION
UNDER DISCUSSION
TO BE ADDED PER
MASTER PLAN
It is recommended that all hazardous
threat to life safety is paramount.
years ago and management directives
evident that no remedial steps have
operations cease and desist at once as
As this entire operation was discussed
were issued to correct this problem, it
been undertaken to date.
the
two
is
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FROM:
I I
CITY OF CLEARWATER
'nterdepartment Correspondence Sheet
Floyd G. Carter, Director, General Services ~.~ J1 J . ~ .
Ed Voiland, Superintendent, Building & Mainte~~~tL'--
~l Mahan, Public Works Dept.~ File ~
TO:
COPIES:
SUBJECT:
CLEARWATER AIR PARK - VIOLATIONS
DATE:
July 10, 1989
CLUB HOUSE
1. Work being completed by Building & Maintenance Division.
(Work Order #2712).
MAIN REPAIR HANGAR
4. Purchase paint storage cabinet (steel).
Cost for storage cabinet = $ 600.00
5. l-hour fire separation.
Material Cost: = $ 982.00
Labor Cost:
(480.0 Manhours @ $12.00) = $5,760.00
Total: = $6,742.00
6. Outdated washer; no parts available.
Cost for new washer: = $ 700.00
)7
.
8. Cost to provide a sprinkler/foam system for this
area. Work to be completed by Contractor.
Material & Labor: = $60,000.0.0
FUELING AREA
Being completed by Building & Maintenance Division.
l.
3.
5.
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II
II
II
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(Work Order #2712)
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(Continued on Page Two.)
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Page Two.
TO: Floyd G. Carter, Director, General Services Dept.
FROM: Ed voiland, Superintendent, Building & Maintenance Div.
SUBJECT: CLEARWATER AIR PARK - VIOLATIONS
DATE:
July 10. 1989
PRIVATE HANGARS:
1. Provide curbing (3" x 4." H.) concrete.
Material Cost: = $ 317.00
. Labor Cost:
(240.0 Manhours @ $12.00) = $ 2,880.00
Total: = $ 3,197.00
2. Provide I-hour separation.
Material Cost: $ 7,181.00
Labor Cost:
(1,760.0 Manhours @ $12.00)= $ 21,120.00
Total: = $ 28,301.00
4. Cost to provide sprinkler system in ten (10)
units. Work to be completed by Contractor.
Material & Labor: = $125,000.00
(Note: This proposal does not include cost
for City water supply and meter to supply the
sprinkler system. Also, a fire pump and
electrical service may be necessary for this
installation, at additional cost.)
5. Cos't to correct electrical violations.
Material Cost: = $ 2,400.00
Labor Cost:
(400.0 Manhours @ $12.00) = $ 4,800.00
Total: = $ 7,200.00
GRAND TOTALS:
Total Material Cost: = $197,180.00
Total Labor Cost:
(2,880.0 Manhours @ $12.00)= $ 34,560.00
Grand Total: = $231,740.00
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