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
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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
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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.