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CC - Fire email to Kathleen BrittFrom:Joe Bongiorno To:Kathleen Britt Cc:Sonya Allen ; Bill Nary Subject:RE: Question Date:Wednesday, June 20, 2018 3:25:08 PM Attachments:image002.png image006.png image007.png Good Afternoon Kathleen. Looking at the request for DA modification – like I explained in the previous email, the fire department does not get involved until we have a set of plans to look at. Then the fire code is applied to the building plan set. As far as what would be required if he were to expand: they would be subject to the specific requirements of IFC section 2808 regulating the Storage and Processing of Wood Chips, Hogged Material, Fines, Compost, Solid Biomass Feedstock and Raw Product Associated with Yard Waste, Agro-Industrial and Recycling Facilities. Exterior operating facilities like these typically include control measures such as limiting pile size, static pile separation, temperature monitoring and record keeping maintaining temperatures at safe levels, all of which are key to mitigating hazards. These control measures are included in the "emergency plan" which the owner is required to provide to the fire code official. The proposed expansion of the current recycling operation may warrant the owner preparing and providing a "process hazard analysis", prepared by a qualified professional, to determine if additional control measures may be necessary to mitigate the potential for high levels of toxic bi- products, based on the proposed increase in operations. More information on process hazard analysis can be found in IFC sections 5001.3.3.11-17. Regarding fire protection water supplies, any new built structure will be required to have firefighting water available relative to the structure size and type of construction. The type and quantity of water supply is subject to the approval of the fire code official. This can be accomplished by any means approved: •             Automatic Sprinkler  System o A reduction in required fire-flow of up to 50 percent, as approved, is allowed when the building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC). •             Areas of  separation  per  IFC B104.2 •             Change  of  construction type •             Physical separation •             Above  ground  tank  (must have 20PSI  residual at the  discharge) •             Well/pump with  backup power •             Change  of  construction type · Fire hydrants •             Fire department  apparatus  (Water  tender operations will need  to be  analyzed by the  local fire department prior to approval) •             NFPA 1142  Compliant Pond The existing structures on this property were most likely classified as agricultural buildings when originally constructed. Under state law, they would have been exempted from meeting all the requirements of the commercial fire code. I plan to do a site evaluation in the next week to see what he has in operation at this time. Please let me know if you have additional questions. Joe Bongiorno CFEI Deputy Chief – Fire Marshal Meridian Fire 33  E. Broadway  Ave., Ste. 210, Meridian, ID  83642 (Direct) 208-489-0458  (Cell) 208-936-9554   Dedication-Loyalty-Tradition   All  e-mail messages sent  to  or  received by  City  of Meridian  e-mail accounts are subject  to  the Idaho  law, in regards  to  both  release  and  retention, and  may be released  upon  request, unless exempt from  disclosure by  law. From: Kathleen Britt [mailto:kathleen@hanseninjurylaw.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2018  11:30  AM To: Joe Bongiorno <jbongiorno@meridiancity.org> Subject: Re: Question Thanks for the response, Joe. It is my understanding that composting (at any level) creates methane gas, which is highly explosive and travels to nearby homes in a variety of ways. Furthermore, composting with drywall (commercial composting) also creates hydrogen sulfide which is highly toxic. The current operation creates methane gas, the proposed operation creates SIGNIFICANTLY more methane gas and hydrogen sulfide. Mr. Murgoitio self reports he has already had one fire on his property. That being said, it looks to me like this never should have been annexed in the first place with the non-conforming composting function without proper fire protection. Nevertheless, it certainly should not be allowed to expand under the current proposal without these protections. As an aside, the DEQ confirms there is no process in place to monitor moving/escaping gas onto nearby residential properties. That is why this, as an industrial operation by definition would be inappropriately placed in t his R4 zone. However, MY concern is that there is no plan to get safety issues dealt with if it IS passed by the City Council. Also as an aside, it appears Kuna was never informed this property has now been annexed in the City of Meridian????? It sure looks like there is bad knowledge and lack of information floating around, but I am sure hopeful you can help because this is a significant danger to the residents and a significant liability issue for the City of Meridian. I look forward to a response from you whenever you have had a chance to look into it as we need information prior to the City Council hearing on this matter and were referred directly to you for this type of information as Planning and Zoning says it isn't their business. Thank you, Joe. Kathleen Britt 253-230-6750 On Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 10:59 AM, Joe Bongiorno <jbongiorno@meridiancity.org > wrote: Good morning! I am out of the office until Thursday. Reading through the DA agreement, it does not mention hazardous operations or toxic chemicals. Can you show me where I may have missed that? It shows composting, chipping and other operations. Fire hydrants may not be required for his operations. I am looking into this further. The 2015 DA mentioned any development will have to meet city and other codes at the time of development. The fire department typically does not respond and address sites and buildings until a site plan and building plans are submitted. At that time, they are reviewed to ensure compliance with the fire code. It is hard to comment when I dont have any of these. I will see what I can put together for you with what information I have. Do you have a number I can reach you at later this week? Joe Bongiorno, CFEI Deputy Chief - Fire Marshal Meridian Fire 33  E. Broadway  Ave., Ste. 210, Meridian, ID  83642 (Direct) 208-489-0458 (Cell) 208-936-9554 ------ Original message------ From: Kathleen Britt Date: Tue, Jun 19, 2018 10:41 AM To: Joe Bongiorno; Cc: Subject:Question I was referred to you by the City of Meridian Planning Department. The question concerns Timber Creek Recycling located on the NW Corner of Locust Grove and Columbia. There is currently pending an Amendment to a Development Agreement (related to original Annexation into the City in January of 2016) for an significant expansion of recycling services expanding also into retail sales for this business/property. In reviewing the information, it looks like the Fire Department did not have any comments regarding this proposal. I am concerned (since this a hazardous operation due to methane gas and toxic chemicals) as to why there is no requirement for the extension of water services and fire protection (AKA fire hydrants) at this location as part of the original annexation, but more importantly, the current proposal. It is my (very uneducated) opinion that both the International Fire Code as well as NFPA would require these types of services being available. I now understand that this might lie outside of the City of Meridian's Fire Responsibilities, but I am wondering if you could give me any education about the need for fire hydrants and/or inform me as to who should be sought for input prior to this approval being granted. Again, I am asking because the planning department said to contact you as it wasn't under their jurisdiction. Thank you so much! Kathleen Britt City of Meridian 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642 Phone: 208-888-4433 www.meridiancity.org All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law, in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.