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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960X* Please consider the information contained herein as confidential and exercise due care that it becomes available only to those persons who are entitled to this information. This is in the interest of National Defense. NEW YORK FIRE INSURANCE RATING ORGANIZATION SUBURBAN DIVISION 85 John Street New York 38, New Yurk .MUNICIPAL FIRE PROTECTION SUR~EY RESURV~Y OF: FISHERS ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT S~ COUNTY, NEW YORK REPORT NO. 1087 NOVEMBER,!960 GENERAE ~OCATION OF CO, UNITY, Island in Long Island Sound situated approximately 5 miles southeast of New London, Connecticut. POPULATION. 3000 during summer season; 600 on year-round basis. ..A~EA, Approximately 27 square miles. TOPOGRAPHY. Relatively flat with some hilly areas. Elevations range from sea level to 140 feet above sea level. .....GOVERNMENT- Fire Districtadministered by Board of Fire Commissioners. Other administrative functions under Town Board of the Town of Southold. INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY. Principally summer recreation area. Few buSiness'on other than seasonal basis. Little commercial or industrial development. FREASON FOR INSPECTION. This inspection was made at the request of the Board of ire Commissioners. OVERALL COMMUNITY GRADING Overall Communit~ Grading - National Board Class 7. Water Supply - Class 7 Fire ~Department - Class 6 Fire Alarm - Class 7 Fire Prevention - Class 8 Buildtng Department - Class 9 Structural Conditions - Class 4 In the Fishers Island Fire District all properties within 600 feet of approved h~drants are presently rated as "Protected", with a Community KeyRate of 36 cents. The water system has been deteriorating for many years and has now reached a point where most hydrants cannot deliver the minimum fire flow of 500 gallons of water per minute at a residual pressure of 20 pounds per square inch, required for both a "Protected" designation on com~uercial and industrial properties for a "B" Dwelling Rate Classification. In these areas an increase in rates applying to all classes of properties is indicated. In areas where approved hydrants are capable of delivering the minimum required fire flow, an increase in community Key Rate from the present 36 cents to 43 cents is warranted. FISHERS IgLAND~F.D., (Continued) - 2 - Dwellings over 600 feet from approved h~drants but within three miles by road of the fire station are entitled to class "0" rates. These rate increases are not being applied at this time. Local Authorities are being advised of the need for immediate improvements if the presentrates are to remain in effect. WATER SUPPLY Wa~er S~pply Gradin$ - Class 7. Major deficiency is the inability of the system to deliver the minimum required fire flow of 500 gallons of water per minute at a 20 pound per square inch residual pressure in most areas of the district. TYPE OF SYSTEM. Combination pumping and gravity. OWNERSHIP. Supply works and distribution system in east end of Island owned and operated by Fishers Island Estates Incorporated. Distribution system in west end of Island owned and operated by Fishers Island Farms'I~c~rporated. ADMINISTRATION. Provisions for operation and repair, fair. Maintenance of system fair ho poor.' Water superintendents for respective systems are competent, Records - Incomplete and not up to date. Water department response to alarms of fire - No regular assignment. SUPPLY. Normal supply is from a fresh water pond known as Barlows Pond. Water can a-~ drawn from another pond when needed. Supply flows by gravity to lew lift pumps which pump water threagh complete filtration process to clearwell of 0.4 million gallons capacity. High lift pumps draw water from ¢learwell and pump into distribution mains or Chocomont reservoir which floats on the system and controls static pressure. The capacity of the reservoir is 1.0 million gallons. The high lift pumps are rated at 800 gpm which is the limitingfactor for supply. Ail units are electrically driven and manually operated, No auxiliary power is available for pUmps. The supply is capable of meeting fire flow requirements in the principal bus- iness district plus consumption demands. However, the supply main cannot deliver this amount to the district. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. Arterial and distribution system very poor. Approximately 50 percent of system are dead end six and four inchmains. Principal ten inch supply line in poor condition. This main is the only supply line from the pump station to the west end of the Island. This adds a feature of unreliability to the system. Most hydrants are not capable of delivering minimUm required fire flow. Gate valves - spacing fair; no inspection program. Location of man~ valve's doubtful due to insufficient location data. Hydrants - spacing fair. Condition of many hydrants poor. Few hydrant laterals valved. Annual inspection program. FISHERS ISLAND F.D., (Continued) FIRE FLO~ TESTS. The following tests were made on September 29, 1960 between the hours of 9,00 A.M. and 3,00 P.M. under slightly less then normal consumption con- ditions. AREA KEY: PB - Principal Business INST - School and Institutional MB - Minor Business RES - Residual Pressure -'pSI Flow - G~llons per ,inure No. Location Area Static Residual Obtained Available Recommended During at 20 PSI at 20 PSI Test West End 1. ~ve. & Crescent Ave. PB 67 16 430 410 1000 2. Central Ave. opp. Power House £ND 76 4 210 180 2000 3. Fox Ave. opp. Hay Harbor Club MB 71 1~ 390 $80 1~O0 4. Fox Ave. & Crescent St. MB~ 68 21 190 190 1000 5. Ettrick St. & Halcyon Ave. INST 58 20 340 340 1000 6. Whistler Ave. 900' W/O INS~ 76 1~ 170 160 .750 Ecuestrian Ave, 7. Equestrian Ave. W/O RES ' 67 ll 190 170 500 Beach Ave. 8. The Gloaming & Oriental Ave. RES 57' I15 380 350 500 East End 9. ~--'-~--~-~. & Sound View Dr. INST 66 45 630 980 2000 10. Main Hwy. & Isabella INST 64 33 390 470 1500 Beach Rd.__ -11. Clay Point Dr. W/O .. RES' '- ~5~ 20 240 240 750 So,,ndV~ew D~. 12. peninsula R% N/O Main Hwy. RES 80 25 480 510 500 ,13. Isabella Dr, W/O Hishland Dr. RES 47 1~ 170 160 500 14. Main Hwy. at Fishers Island MB 56 22 440 450 2000 Country Club 15. Main Hwy. & Reservoir Rd. RES 40 36 870 1600 5~ 16. Ma~n Hwy. E/O Mone~ Pond RES 56 10 340 ~00 500 Test Nos. Ih through 16 conducted on hydrants )eyond 3 m.le limi% from fire station. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Department Gradin$- Class 6. Volunteer department under fail'leadership. Apparatus .and manpower adequate. DeficienCies in various equipment items, building inspection program and radio eqdipme~. ORGANIZATION ANDADMINISTRATION. Volunteer department with 76 members under experienced chief and two assistant chiefs. Enlistment requirements fair. Annual eleotionof officers. Tenure normally three to four years. Department rules and regulations fair. Overall discipline and morale satisfactory. Department records fair. STATION. One station of wood frame coh~truction. Size and facilities inadequate. Apples floor very crowded; narrow swinging doors on exit. Considerable area of Island over three miles fromstation. FISHERS ISr~ND F:D., (Continued) - 4 - FIRE APPARATUS. Required - two engines with a combined pumping capacity not less than 2/3 the highest recommended fire flow shown in the table on page 3. Available apparatus shown in following table: · Make and Pump ComparAV Tr~e Capacit~ Year Engine ~ 2 T ple Ford' 19h7' Combination 500 Engine # 3' T~iple Seagrave l~h3~' Combination 500 gpm 'Engine ~ h Pumper Witlys * 19h7 250 Departmental Ambulaace DodSe 1960" To~AL lZSO GP~ s'~ed p?~.~e~; credited with [50 ~pm pumping capacit *Not a lis Service tests made in accordance with National Board of Fire Underwriters, specifications during this inspection indicate that apparatus is in good condition. General care and maintenance good, except that annual pumper service tests are not made in accord- ance with Unde~riters, specification. ~S~; APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT. Condition of hose fair, Deficient in amount of 2 mnch hose in service and amount of spare hose. No drying facilities. Consid- erable deficiencies in powerful stream appliances and emergency equipment. DRILLS AND TRAINING. Drill and training program fair. Effectiveness limited by several equipment deficiencies. RESPONSE TO ALARMS. Respomse to first alarms satisfactory; includes all aDparatus. Average response of volunteers includes 30 to 3~ men during both day and night. FIRE MET~ GenerallY fair. Good use of small stream appliances. Standard ~ procedure to lay back-up lines, connect pamper to hydrant and charge automatic sprinkler systems. Powerful stream operations and salvage work maybe limited due to equipment deficiencies. Lack of radio equipment reduces efficiency of operation. CONDITIONS AFFECTING OPERATIONS. Street widths and poor pavement could be moderate problem affecting fire department response. Parking and overhead wiring are gen- erally not serious problems affecting department operations. BUILDING INSPECTIONS. None made for training purposes. FIRE ALARM Fire Alarm Gradi~ - Class 7. No automatic box alarm system. Satisfactory arrangements have been made for handling telephone alarms and summoning volunteer firem~n. Rowever, mo outside, lighted siren switch is provided at fire station or other prominent location. POLICE No police on patrol other than summer months, Fire police unit in fire department, handles situation during fires. FIRE PREVENTION Fire Preven~iom ~adin~ - Glass 8. Grading based on such New York State Laws as apply. New York Board Of Fire UD~erwriters inspects new electrical work under terms of agreement with local utility. · FISHERS ISLAND F.D., (Continued) -5- BUILDING DEPARTMENT Building Department Grading - Class 9. Grading based on such New York State Laws aS apply. TOWn of $outhOld Building Department under one full-time building inspector. No fire Limits established by Town, STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS S~ructural Conditions Grading - Class 4. Principal business district located ~at intersectionof Alpine Avenue and Crescent Avenue. Few buildings, most entirely of wood frame construction. No large fire areas. Ssparations between buildings form adequate fire breaks. Mild exposure or conflagration hazard. RECOMMENDATIONS The following are offered as a RECOMMENDED ~ONG RANGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. Although it is apparent theft ~m,,.ediate attention cannot be given to the entLre list, items marked (~*) are of PRIME IMPORTANCE, and the continuance of present fire insurance rates depends upon t~eir immediate adoption. Items marked (*) are considered to be of such importance that their early adoption is strongly recommended~. WATER SUPPLY. 1. This inspection strongly indicates the need for an engineering study and the drawing up of an improvement program to provide for strengthening the distribution system so that each h~drant which at present cannot deliver the minimum requirements of at least 500 gallons of water per minute at 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure will be capable of doing so. 2. Arrangements should be made so that in the event of a break during hours when there is no attendance at the pumping station, an alert will be sounded and response made to prevent the loss of an excessive amount of water from the reservoir. 3. Ail hydrants should be inspected, operated, lubricated and, if needed, repacked in the spring and fall of each year and after use. Inspections should be made daily in high value districts during long periods of severe cold weather. 4. Additional pumping equipment and/ur elevated storage to provide in addition to consumption needs fire flows as recommended in the table on page 3. 5. Ail h~drant laterals should be'valved. 6. Ail valves should be inspected and operated yearly (large valves more frequently) and maintained in good condition. Boxes and manholes should be kept clean, and covers kept to grade and not paved over. 7. Suitable first aid fire fighting equipment should be provided at the pump station. 8. Plans and records essential for the proper operation of the system should be provided in duplicate; they should be complete, in convenient form,~ suitably indexed, kept up to date and safely filed. In addition to records presently maintained the following should be provided: (a) A general map or series of plate maps of the distribution system showing, (1) location, sizes, dates of installation and types of piping, and, (2) locations of valves, hydrants and services. FISHERS ISLAND FAD., (Continued) - 6 - 8. (Continued) (b) Detailed sketches of all valve locations, showing measurements to each valve from permanent objects, direction of operation of each valve, and the number of each so that it can be located in a valve index. (c) Detailed plans of all features of supply and storage showing dimensions, elevations, capacities, piping and exact locations· (d) A card index of hydrants, showing for each: its number, location, make, size, date of installation, type~ lateral size, whether or not there is a valve on the lateral, number and sizes of outlets, and records of inspection, servicing and repair. (e) A card index of valves, recordings·for each: its number,location, make, size, ·date of installation, direction of operation, and records of inspection, servicing and repair· ~ (f) Records showing daily master meter readings of water use, daily storage water levele, hours or operation of each pump, breaks or other troubles in the distribution system, power outages and records of servicing and repair of all mechanical units in the system. 9. Ail future installations should be made in accordance with the attached "RECOMMENDED WATER SYSTEM DESIGN STANDARDS." FIRE DEPARTMENT. * 10. The existing fire station should be replaced with a new station of adequate size and design to comply with good construction practices for this type of building. * 11. Ail pumpers should be tested annually am~ after all repairs, in accordance with National Board of Fire Underwriters, recommended procedure, and complete records of these tests should be kept. · * 12. Ail engines should carry at least 1,000 feet of 2~-inch hose, and a complete spare shift for each should be provided in reserve. ' 13. Hose should be tested annually to at least 250 pounds. 14. Suitable facilities should be provided for washing, drying and storing hose· 15. BadiO equipment should be provided for all apparatus and a base station located at fire headquarters 16. Sufficient company officers should be appointed to have one on duty at all times with each engine company. 17. Systematic and frequent inspections cf buildings should be made by all company members and department officers to acquaint them with local fire hazard conditions· Records of such inspections should be kept both by notes and sketches, and be available for use in company training· 18. The drill and training program should be improved and expanded in scope along Lines suggested in National Board of Fire Underwriters, Special Interest Bulletins Nos. 234 through 238. 19. It is recommended that the attached bulletin "Suggested Records For Fire Departments" be used as a guide for improvement of present department p e oords · 20. An annual medical examination for all personnel in the fire~ force over 55 years of age should be required. FISHERS ISLAND F.D., (Continued) 21. The following equipment should be provided: T~tal On Hand at l Recommended f~r Item Recommended Present T~m-diate Purchase Deluge or turret units 1 0 1 Distributor nozzles 2 0 1 Cellar pipes .~1 0 1 Master spra~ or fog nozzles 1 0 1 Siamese connections Foam ecuinment# 1 0 1 Self contained breathing 6 4 1 apparatus PortablelightinE sets 1 0 1 Portable pumps 1 0 1 Smoke ejector 1 O Chain saw 1 0 1 Portable generator 1 0 1 Explosimeter 1 0 1 Power hack saw 1 ~0 1 2~ inch tog orcombination 2 1 1 nozzles Tarpaper rolls 2 O 2 Hammer and nails~ Kit 1 0 1 g s one equi~ be sufficient appliances and compo~c ~liquid or powder) to supply one 2~ inch line or two Ii inch lines for a thirty minute period. NOTE: This is not a complete List of all standard recommended equipment items. Such a list, based upon present and proposed apparatus will be furnished upon request. 22. ~An outside device with an appropriate designating Light should be provided at the fire station or in a prominent tJcation. (This device may be a siren control switch or a direct telephone line rna location with 24 hour attendance, from which the siren can be soun~ied.) FIRE PREVENTION. 23. Conditions noted during this survey indicate the need for a comprehensive fire prevention code. It is suggested that the Fire Prevention Code of the National Board of Fire Underwriters be adopted or used as a guide in drawing up such a code. (CoPies of this Code are available upon request.) BUILDING DEPARTMENT. 24. Immediate consideration should be given to adopting a comprehensive buildim~ code conforming to modern requirements for construction. It is suggested that the National Building Code be adopted or used as a guide in drawing up a code. (Copie~ of this Code are available upon request.) FISHERS ISLAND F~D., (Continued) -8- 25. Fire limits should be established by the Town of Southold. It is suggested that the National Board of Fire Underwriters pamphlet. "Recommended Method for Imying Out Fire Limits," be used as a guide to determine which areas should be included within these limits. (Copies available upon request.) Inspection and Report by: D. Herbstman Report prepared under direction ef~ J~.E, Blowers, P.E. ~lc. No. 28167 NEW YORK FIRE INSURANCE RATING ORGANIZATION PUBLIC PROTECTION DEPARTMENT 85 JOHN STREET, NEW YORK 38, NEW YORK RECOMMENDED WATER SYSTEM DESIGN STANDARDS The following are recommended for adoption as design standards for new construction and for long range improvement of t.he presentL 'd~st~ib~t'ion system. . MINIMUM PIPE SIZE. R§~idential areas: Six-inch and smaller mains should not be installed as dead ends. The gridiron of minor distributors supplying residential districts should consist of mains at least 6-inch in size arranged so that the lengths on the longer sides of blocks between intersecting mains do not exceed 600 feet. Where longer lengths are necessary, 8-inch or larger mains should be used. (Where initial pressures are high, satisfactory gridiron may be obtained with longer lenghts of 6-inch pipe between intersecting mains.) In new construction 8-inch pipe should be used where dead ends and poor gridironing are liEely to emist for a considerable period or where the layout of the streets and the topography are not w~ll adapted to the above arrangement. Hish value di. stricts: The minimum size should be 8-inch where there are intersecting mains in e~h street; 12-inch or larger mains should be used on the principal streets and for all long lines that are not connected to other mains at inter~als close enough for p~oper mutual support. SPACING 9F VALVES% The distribution system should be equiped with a sufficient number of valves so located that no single case of accident, breakage, or repair to the pipe system, exclusive of arteries, will neces.sitate the shut-down of an artery or a length of pipe greater than 500 feet in high-value districts or greater than 800 feet in other sections. HYDRANT DISTRIBUTION. -~DistribUtien of hydrants should be based upon the required fire flow, the average area served not to exceed that given in the following table. Fire Flow Required, Gallons per Minute Average Area per Hydrant, square feet, 1,000 or less .... .... ..............120,O00 2,000 .......... ......... ... .... ....110,000 3,000 ........... .... ........ ..... ..100,000 4,000 90,000 6,000 .' 80,000 Maximum spacin$: Near sex-v£ce limits and in sparsely settled areas sufficient h~drants should be installed to provide at least one within 600 feet of all buildings. SIZE AND INSTALLATION OF HYDRANTS. Hydrants should be able to deli~ver 600~gallons per minute with a friction loss of net more than 2} pounds per square inch in the hydrant and a total loss of not more than 5 pounds per square inch between the ~ street main and the outlet; They should have at least two 2½-inch outlets, and also a large pumper outlet where pumper service is necessary; -2- They should be of such design tMat when the barrel is broken off the hydrant will remain closed; Connection to the street mntn should be not less than 6 inches in diameter; A gate valve should be provided on all connections between hydrants and street mains; first attention should be given to providing ~alves in street main connections on all hydrants installed on supply lines, arteries and main feeders; Operating nuts and direction of operation should be standard on all bydrants; Hydrants should be set so that they are easily accessible to fire department pumpers; they should not be set in depressions, cut-outs or on emban~caents high above the street; ~umper outlets should face directly to. ward the street; with respect to nearby trees, poles and fences, there should be adequate clearance for connection of hose lines. Hydrants should be painted a distinguishing color so that they can be quickly spotted at night. 059 WDS-Sc NEW YORK FIRE INSURANCE RATING ORGANIZATION PUBLIC PROTECTION DEPARTMENT 85 JOHN STREET NEW fORK 38, NEW ~G~K SUGGESTED RECORDS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS The ability to keep good records is net related to the ability to fight fires. However, inclusive records are an essential part of good fire de- partment operations. Records, as facts, inform the community of the adequacy of the fire department and of its needs. They also provide material for the training program and for self evaluation by the department. The scope of any record system is generally related to the size of the fire department, and to the time allotted to maintain it. Ba~icalty,~however,. the records should include these items: 1. Complete file of department correspondence. 2. Membership and duty roster. 3. Complete personnel file for all active members.~ 4. Fire alarm record, including (a) date and time of call (b) t~pe of alarm (c) response of members (d) eq~ipment used (including hose) (e) estimated amounts of water used (f) method of extinguishment (g) cause, if known (h) address or location (i) owner, occupancy and use of building (J) extent of emergency (k) ins~rance data and loss estimates · 5. Complete inventory of all equipment 6. Hose inventory and. record of tests 7. Apparatus record including cost, date put in service~ serial numbers, size of motor and pump, annual test data, repair and replacement data, routine maintenance, 8. Daily apparatus and station inspection record. 9. Complete training program record, including (a) date, time and length of session (b) roll call (c) agenda of training s~ssion (d) inventory of available training aids, library and reference materials, fire prevention inspec$ion records and State and local codes and ordinances~ lO. Fire imspection records containing, (a) records of all inspections made, da~e, lo~ua~i0~, violations, disposition. (b) file on all buildings except dwellings, with complete data, diagrams aud plans of more hazardous buildings. EO1059~F~-5c SUBURBAN DIVISION NEW YORK FIRE INSURANCE RATING ORGANIZATION 85 Joma S'I'I~I~T, Nsw Yo~ ~38, N. Y. November 2, 1960 Gordon Ahman, Chairman Bosrd of Fire Commissioners Fishers Island Fire District Fishers Island, New York Dear Mr. Ahman: Re: Complete Inspection of Fishers Island Fire District We are enclosing copies of ou~ report covering fire defenses and physical conditions of the Fishers Island Fire District as based on our inspection of September, 1960. The results of the recent inspection indicate the present Fire Insurance Key Rate should be increased. The increase amounts to seven cents, from the present thirty-six cent Key Rate to the indicated forty-three cents. Also, hydrants in many areas cannot deliver %he minimum fire flow of 500 gallons per minute at 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure, required for a "B" Dwelling Rate Classification. In these areas it may be necessary to withdraw hydrant recognition which would lead to an increase in rates applying to all classes of properties. As indicated in the Report, we are not placing this increase into effect. Before this step is taken, we prefer that the District have an opportunity to make s~fficient improvements in fire defenses to eliminate any need for an in- crease. After you have had an opportunity to study the enclosed Report, copies of which are also being sent to the officials listed at the end of this letter, our engineers will welcome an early opportunity to discuss the needed Lmprovements with you in person. DH:¥ encl. Very,~rulyt yours, ~ / ~ /' Donald Herbstman Public Protection Department L. Valentini, Fire Chief Town Supervisor, Town of Southold TownClerk, Town of Southold Building Inspector, Town of Southold L. Ferguson Jr., Fisher Island Farms Inc. W.B. May, President, Fishers Island Estates Inc. J. Small, Manager, Fishers Island Farms Inc. A.J. Cantin, Water Supt., Fishers Island Estates Inc.