Fire Suppression System at Martin State Airport
Location: Baltimore County, Maryland
Client: Maryland Aviation Administration
JMT designed a new water pipeline to replace the supply for the
fire suppression system at Martin State Airport.
The existing, offsite water supply for the Martin State
Airport's sprinkler systems was to be disconnected. In order
to keep the airport in operation a new dedicated supply was
necessary because National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes
dictated that sprinkler systems in the airport hangars and other
buildings receive flows greater than those available through the
public water system. JMT initially provided a review of
previous studies and worked with the client to identify design
alternatives to replace the supply that would meet the fire
marshal's requirements. JMT continued with preliminary and
final design services for a new pipeline across the airfield at
Martin State Airport, connecting the hangars and main control
building with an existing storage tank and booster pump
station.
The new transmission main and high pressure fire hydrants were
the key components of JMT's design, with a new distribution system
to tie them in to the individual hangars and buildings. We
designed approximately one mile of 16-inch, 12-inch and 8-inch
ductile iron, mechanical joint fire protection main across the
airport from the existing tank and pumping system to the existing
sprinkler systems in each hangar.
The project contained several challenges. The groundwater
elevation was high throughout much of the site, creating poor soil
conditions and requiring extensive dewatering. Additionally,
the existence of numerous underground utilities required the design
to include detailed subsurface utility engineering. From an
operational standpoint, the airport would have to remain open
throughout the construction with limited disruption to airport
personnel and tenants.
In order to minimize disruptions of airport operations, JMT
separated the construction into phases with concise timeframes to
ensure that the contractor maintained access throughout the
airport. Our staff continually coordinated with the MAA's
Fire Marshal and operational staff to ensure construction was in
compliance and that the MAA's staff were kept aware of the
construction.
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