Milwaukee, WI
This is a seven-story government-owned building used primarily for general offices, courtrooms and all associated connecting areas, consisting of approximately 150,000 square feet and a central atrium area for the north portion of the building. FFCDI was commissioned to do a study on the existing fire protection and fire alarm systems and the General Services Administration’s desire to upgrade the existing systems and address the unprotected portions of the building. Items addressed by the design team were fire sprinklers, standpipes, fire pumps, water supplies, fire alarm and detection. History of the project, the problems and concerns relative to GSA, and the redesign of the systems to current codes and standards was discussed and addressed.
Historical features of the building were discussed and addressed as part of the new proposed systems. Since any new systems would likely be concealed in areas with suspended ceiling systems, including ceiling system spaces that are not readily accessible, input was required from other members of the team for existing ceiling access, demolition, cutting and patching, access panels, and preliminary coordination with other sensitive building historic and aesthetic features. As part of our study, FFCDI provided input and assisted the Owner in this process from a practical standpoint with regard to the potential sprinkler system design and installation requirements. Also, the study was able to define the scope of requirements and provide an estimate of probable costs for the required upgrades.
FFCDI had previously produced bid documents for the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Eau Claire, WI, and is currently working on the bid documents for the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Duluth, MN.