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Committee approves $4,716 check valve to protect fire pump backflow after freeze damage elsewhere
Summary
The committee approved a $4,716 bulletin/PCO to add a check valve on a fire pump backflow line after staff described a freeze-and-flood incident at another school; the valve will be added to future standard designs.
The School Building Committee unanimously approved Bulletin/PCO 010R2, a $4,716 addition to install a check valve on the fire pump backflow line at the North End project, following a description of a freeze-and-flood event at Farmington High School.
Ryan and project staff explained the change was prompted by a recent incident where a backflow preventer froze open during extreme cold and caused a significant flood in a mechanical room. "This was all brought post bid to Kholeronin. They have identified this as definitely, something that's a need and something that will be standard procedure for them going forward," Ryan said.
Justin Hopkins of Tekton Architects described the proposed device as "an additional safeguard" that creates a barrier against cold air entering the backflow preventer; the valve must be opened to flush or drain the system but otherwise prevents air intrusion. Committee members asked technical questions about insulation and heating; staff said the valve is not heated but provides a closed barrier unlike the backflow preventer.
Committee members approved the bulletin unanimously. Staff said the contractor will add the check valve to the North End installation and will pursue a similar price for the Norton project; the Norton price was still being confirmed at the meeting.
The committee recorded the item as a change to standard design practice that the design-build team will include in future drawings.
