HomeMy WebLinkAbout(2) Correspondence with Mattituck Fire Marshal
June 17, 2021
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
James Easton, Fire Marshal
Town of Southold
Town Hall Annex Building
54375 Route 25
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Re: Environmental Review – Request for Information
Strong’s Yacht Center – Proposed Boat Storage Buildings
5780 Mill Road, Mattituck, Town of Southold
Fire Marshal Easton:
P.W. Grosser Consulting (PWGC) is serving as the environmental consultant to Strong’s Yacht
Center, LLC (the applicant) which is proposing the construction of two, single‐level buildings with
elevated roofs, at 49,000 square feet (SF) and 52,500 SF, for the indoor winter storage of yachts at
the existing Strong’s Yacht Center (SYC). The Town of Southold Planning Board is reviewing the
application and has required the applicant to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS). As part of the DEIS, the Town Planning Board has required that the applicant consult with
the Mattituck Fire Department to “discuss the threat of fire and explosion on site from all ignitable
sources. Include the evaluation of potential fire hazards, and if the Mattituck Fire Department is
adequately equipped to respond to a fire at the site. This is of special concern given the size of the
structures and the combustibles within the stored boats.” We have corresponded with the
Mattituck Fire Department, but we are also seeking your input on the proposed development. A
description of the applicant’s proposal follows, and copies of the proposed site development plans
are enclosed.
As noted, the proposed development includes two new storage buildings at the SYC property. The
proposed development project requires modification of the land area and elevations to the west of
the existing maritime‐use buildings for placement of the two new buildings. The proposed boat
storage buildings would be equipped with radiant floor heating requiring the installation of four (4)
2,000‐gallon Liquid Propane (LP) tanks (see the enclosed Utility Plan [Sheet 4 of 13]). Overall, it is
estimated that approximately 88 yachts would be stored in the off‐season in the two buildings.
Also proposed is an extension of the public water main (Suffolk County Water Authority) from
Naugles Drive for on‐site connection for potable supply, installation of a new hydrant on the west
side of West Mill Road, utilization of three existing on‐site wells for irrigation only, and
replacement/upgrades to the on‐site sanitary systems.
Regarding fire protection, a new hydrant would be installed (see Utility Plan [Sheet 5 of 13]) and
the proposed buildings would be equipped with fire warning and fire suppression systems. Access
to the subject property is from the eastern terminus of West Mill Road and as part of the proposed
development, the existing internal driveway would be extended for vehicular access to the
proposed new buildings. Also, a temporary haul road from West Mill Road across the undeveloped
lands to the SYC property would be installed for use during construction and would remain in place;
however, gated to prevent unauthorized access. As such, access to the site would be provided via
the existing driveway from West Mill Road and emergency access from the higher elevation would
be available from the haul road off Mill Road.
Based on the above project description and enclosed plans, we are respectfully requesting your
comments. If you have any questions or comments related to this request, please do not hesitate
to contact the undersigned at kgennaro@pwgrosser.com. Further note that the applicant, Jeff
Strong, would be willing to meet with you to review the plans and address any concerns related to
the proposed development.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
Regards,
P.W. GROSSER CONSULTING
Kim Gennaro‐Oancea, M.S., AICP CEP
Vice President
enc.
cc: J. Strong
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Document Path: W:\Projects\S-Z\STR\DEIS\maps\FIG01_SiteLocation.mxd
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Site Location Map
Strong's Yacht Center5780 West Mill RdMattituck, NY
Sources: 1. EService Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User CommunityEsri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user communitySource: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community2. Suffolk County Tax Parcel Data: NYS GIS Clearinghouse (data provided by Suffolk County)
Site Boundary
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1 inch = 2,000 feet
1
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
FIRE MARSHAL
Kim Gennaro-Oancea, Vice President
P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc.
630 Johnson Ave, Suite 7
Bohemia, NY 11716
June 24, 2021
Re: Strong’s Yacht Center – Proposed Boat Storage Buildings
5780 Mill Rd, Mattituck
Fire Safety Evaluation
Fire hazards common to these type of occupancies include poor storage practices, obstruction of
fire sprinklers by stock, lack of inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection equipment,
electrical hazards, improper housekeeping, etc. Many of these hazards can be addressed during
the building design phase, the proper maintenance of electrical/mechanical/fire protection
equipment, and frequent fire safety inspections. The protection of the building and its occupants
is achieved by using both passive and active fire protection features. Proper design, installation
and maintenance of passive and active fire protection systems are best ways to safeguard the
property, its occupants and first responders from a fire event.
Passive fire protection is achieved by protecting the essential building structural elements from
the effects of heat and fire in an effort to eliminate or delay fire spread and structural
failure/collapse. Steps can be taken during the design process to maximize passive fire
protection by including appropriate types of building materials, fire rated assemblies, opening
protectives and through-penetration protection. Having properly designed and maintained paths
of egress provide building occupants a safe and efficient way to leave the building in the event of
an emergency.
Active fire protection systems are the suppression and detection systems that detect, alert
building occupants and control a fire. These systems include but are not limited to automatic fire
extinguishing systems, fire detection systems and smoke/heat removal systems. Special care
should be taken during the design process of these systems as the size of the buildings and
occupancy type will trigger specific requirements.
In addition to a balance between passive and active fire protection, here are some specific items
that should be visited in an effort to manage the risk of a fire event:
Adhere to requirements of the 2020 NYS Fire Code Chapter 32: High-Piled Combustible
Storage.
Town Hall Annex
54375 Main Road
P. O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971-0959
Telephone (631) 765-1802
Fax (631) 765-9502
jamese@southoldtownny.gov
2
o Operating Permits obtained after periodic fire safety inspections are required by
building code.
o Identify the commodity classification of material(s) being stored to ensure the
applicable safety features are provided.
Approved “NO SMOKING” signs shall be conspicuously posted in accordance with
Section 310 of the 2020 NYS Fire Code.
Provide fire protection features as required by Table 3206.2 of the 2020 NYS Fire Code.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13. Design of
the sprinkler system should include but is not limited to:
o Evaluation of water supply – is the capacity/location adequate for firefighting
efforts.
o What are the area (sq. ft.) limitations of the sprinkler system?
o What is the hazard level of the building? Classification of commodities?
o What are the specific design features required found in Chapters 12, 15, 17 and
20?
Per NFPA, when a boat is to be dry-stored for the season or stored indoors for an
extended period of time, the following precautions should be taken:
o The vessel shall be inspected for any hazardous materials or conditions that could
exist, and corrective action shall be taken.
o Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders,
reserve supplies of stove alcohol or kerosene, and charcoal shall be removed from
the premises or stored in a separate, designated safe area.
o All portable fuel tanks shall be removed from the premises or emptied and, if
emptied the cap shall be removed and the tank left open to the atmosphere.
Per NFPA, where boats are stored in multilevel racks, either inside or outside, for
seasonal storage or for in-out operation, the following precautions should be taken:
o Drain plugs shall be removed (in sprinklered buildings).
o Batteries shall be disconnected or the master batter switch turned off.
o Fuel tank valves shall be closed.
o Repairs to boats that are on racks in a dry storage building shall be prohibited.
o The charging of batteries shall be prohibited in a dry storage building.
o Open flame heaters shall not be used in boat storage areas.
o The use of portable heaters in boat storage areas shall be prohibited.
o No unattended electrical equipment shall be in use aboard boats.
o Class I flammable liquids shall not be stored in an indoor boat storage area.
o Work performed on boats stored indoors shall be performed by qualified
personnel.
o Facility management shall maintain control over all personnel access to storage
facilities.
Propane tanks should be installed, separated and protected from vehicle impact as
required in NFPA 58.
Fire Department access shall be provided within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior
walls of all buildings.
Although not required by code for this occupancy, it is recommended a fire safety plan be
developed and trained upon by employees.
3
Building owners should ensure that inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection
and life safety systems are conducted in accordance with NYS Fire Code and applicable
NFPA standards.
Please feel free to contact me with any additional comments/concerns.
Regards,
James Easton
James Easton
Fire Marshal
Town of Southold