HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB17-0189_2015-458.LTR.BulkO2.20170710.ws_1499808660.pdf
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July 10, 2017
Town of Vail
Mr. Mike Vaughan
75 S. Frontage Road
Vail, CO 81657
RE: Vail Valley Medical Center East Wing Expansion
Bulk Oxygen Enclosure
CRA # 2015-459
Dear Mike:
This letter is being submitted for your review and acceptance of the design intent regarding
the bulk oxygen enclosure proposed with the Vail Valley Medical Center (VVMC) East Wing
Expansion project.
Discussion of the Project and Proposed Bulk Oxygen Installation:
To better serve the Vail valley and surrounding populations, VVMC is rebuilding the East Wing
of the current hospital. This expansion includes modernization of several existing modalities,
such as imaging and emergency services, as well as the expansion of the surgical center. The
proposed expansion will displace the existing bulk oxygen installation located off of West
Meadow drive at the Southeast corner of the hospital. The new oxygen storage system
proposed is designed to support both current and future operations within the facility. The
new bulk oxygen storage system will be constructed as part of the hospitals enabling work in
preparation for the larger expansion project. The enabling work is anticipated being complete
in 2017 while the East expansion is planned for completion in 2020.
Design Criteria and Standards:
The Codes and Standards that define the requirements for the installation of the bulk oxygen
system are:
NFPA 55 – 2010, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code
NFPA 99 – 2012, Healthcare Facilities Code
CGA P41-2010, Locating Bulk Storage Systems in Courts, published by the
Compressed Gas Association.
Bulk Oxygen Enclosure Design and Review:
The bulk oxygen enclosure has been designed and documented by Davis Partnership
Architects and Martin and Martin Consulting Engineers. The intent of the enclosure is to
house a liquid oxygen storage and distribution system consisting of the following
components:
3000 gal primary storage tank
400 gal reserve storage tank
Vail Valley Medical Center East Wing Expansion
Bulk Oxygen Enclosure
July 10, 2017
Page 2
Engineering Solutions Since 1959 www.catorruma.com
Oxygen vaporizers
Oxygen distribution piping and fill port
The architectural and structural design of the enclosure consists of:
An approximate 34’ x 22’ concrete pad to house the equipment.
An oxygen transfer/spill pad approximately 10’ x 12’
Two perpendicular 2 – hr. fire rated walls
Two perpendicular louvered screen walls with greater than 50% free area
Two paths of access and/or egress
An aesthetic screening assembly on top of the enclosure with greater than 95% free
area
For the design and documentation of the proposed bulk oxygen enclosure, the architect and
engineering team have coordinated the installation requirements with United States Welding
Inc.; the vendor supplying, installing and maintaining the bulk oxygen equipment.
Additionally, the design team has met with Chris Brunette at the Colorado Department of
Public Safety (CDPS) for review of the enclosure in accordance with NFPA and CDPS
requirements.
It should be noted that both NFPA 99 and NFPA 55 require the oxygen supply system to be
secured, however they are unclear regarding the extent of openness for the security barrier
to consider the installation to be “outdoors”. Therefore, CGA P41-2010, considered an
industry standard, was developed specifically to address the performance of an enclosure
around a bulk cryogenic storage system. CGA P41 allows for two adjacent solid walls, with
the other two sides comprised of a screen wall of no less than 50% free area. The proposed
architectural design complies with this concept, and therefore is considered to meet the
intent of NFPA 55.
Similarly, NFPA 55 has additional restrictions on the surrounding walls if there is a “weather
protection cover” over the bulk storage system. The proposed design, which is to be
constructed of non-combustible vertically placed thin metal slats, will minimize the visual
impact from an oblique, high viewpoint while allowing the installation to be “open to the sky”.
Therefore, further restrictions on the enclosure walls due to a weather protection cover are
not applicable.
Conclusion:
Based on our review and understanding of the design documents and applicable codes
noted above, we conclude the proposed bulk oxygen enclose meets the intent of the
aforementioned codes. However, it is recognized that final review and approval of the design
and installation of the bulk oxygen system will be by the authorities having jurisdiction and
will be subject to review after the enclosure has been constructed.
Vail Valley Medical Center East Wing Expansion
Bulk Oxygen Enclosure
July 10, 2017
Page 3
Engineering Solutions Since 1959 www.catorruma.com
Two original copies of this letter have been provided for your review. If approved, please sign
below and return a copy to our office. If you have any questions regarding this letter please
don't hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Cator, Ruma & Associates, Co.
Wayne A. Trader, PE
Principal
ACCEPTED BY:
__________________________________ __________________________
Date
cc: File - Cator, Ruma & Associates
Attachments: Architectural Site Plan
Enclosure plans and elevations
CGA P41-2010
By: Electronic Mail
WAT/jdd
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