Fire Safety Inspection Update

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Peregrine Ford
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1 Fire Safety Inspection Update Prepared for: Kevin Jones, Division Chief, Fire Marshal Prepared by: John W. Scott III, Captain, Hazardous Materials and Environmental Coordinator January 14, 2016 CCR Number: ; ; Page!1

2 INSPECTION SUMMARY Issue The following report is an update as to the progress being made at Eureka Gardens Apartment, located at 1214 LaBelle Street. Since the initial Hazardous Materials call on October 20, 2015, there has been two (2) other subsequent Hazardous Materials calls. The second call as well as the third involved the natural gas system located onsite. All emergency calls were initiated by tenants and usually came after some type of work was done to the system. For example on October 20, 2015, the complex had major repairs done to the meter set located south of the Community Center. To accomplish said repairs, the system had to be completely shut down which resulted in every unit on site losing natural gas service. Once the repairs were completed, each unit had to have their service reinstated which included a systematic process to relight the pilot light in each unit, but this process was unsuccessful due to limited access to residential units. As a result, the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department was notified and responded to a gas leak report which subsequently required the termination of gas services throughout the apartment complex until such time it could be reinstated in a safe manner. On November 12, 2015, an emergency call was made, similar to the call on October 20, 2015, were tenants stated they smelled a strong gas odor that was constant throughout the day, mainly during the morning and evening hours. Upon investigation, it was found that this was caused by repairs that were previously done to prevent people from walking under a staircase were the installation of barriers in the ground resulted in damage to nearby underground piping. Several agencies were called to assist in mitigating this situation, including but not limited to, TECO, Red Cross, Emergency Preparedness Division, and the Jacksonville Sheriff Office (JSO). The presence of these agencies were needed not only to make repairs to the system but also to support the logistical process in the feeding of tenants that were without gas service for approximately 16 hours. This incident was finalized by members of the Fire Prevention Division who performed a complete walk through of the apartment complex, on November 13, 2015, to make sure no further violation existed and that the complex met the minimum fire safety requirements. Page!2

3 Rules The following is a list of violations noted per each hazardous release callout by the Fire Department; FAILED TO PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PER NFPA 1, GAS LEAK VIOLATOR RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANUP OF UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE PER NFPA 1, Application In accordance with Florida Statues (2); the Florida Fire Code NFPA 1, Chapter 60, , Prohibited Releases; and Chapter 60, , Responsibility for Cleanup of Unauthorized Releases. Pursuant to the Florida Fire Prevention Code, NFPA 1, Chapter 60, , [w]hen deemed necessary by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), cleanup of an unauthorized discharge shall be permitted to be initiated by the fire department or by an authorized individual or firm, and costs associated with such cleanup shall be borne by the owner, operator, or other person responsible for the unauthorized discharge. The City of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department s Fire Prevention Division is the AHJ for and in the Duval County area and is, therefore, authorized to recover expenses associated with the mitigation efforts undertaken to correct the unauthorized discharge of natural gas which occurred at Eureka Gardens Apartment endangering life and property. Conclusion Eureka Gardens Apartment, Reverend Richard Hamlet, and/or Global Ministries Foundation and its affiliates is responsible for reimbursing the City of Jacksonville and/or the City of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department a sum total of $7, for its efforts in mitigating the unauthorized gas leak which occurred on the premises of and under the control of Eureka Gardens Apartment, form the period of October 20, 2015 to November 13, Post mitigation efforts by Eureka Gardens Apartment in relationship to subsequent sporadic natural gas leak incidents include the implementation of a safety program that has been designed by the US Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). They are currently in the process of developing O&M Plans, Operators and Qualifications Plans, and Incident Management Plans. This would give the onsite staff awareness level training and aide them in making the proper notification to mitigate future situations. The point of contact for this project is documented has been identified and is documented as follows; Donald Murphy US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - Southern Region Office of Pipeline Safety Phone# (404) donald.murphy@dot.gov Page!3

4 Fenwick Plumbing will be conducting surveys of the above ground system to make sure it meets the minimum requirements; however, PHMSA will be surveying the below ground portion of the system with TECO and other applicable agencies. This concludes this Fire Safety Inspection Update report for Eureka Gardens Apartment and the ongoing mitigation efforts undertaken since October 20, 2015 through the date of this report (January 14, 2016). Page!4

5 HAZARDOUS RESPONSE EXPENDITURES Description Staffing Equipment Supplies Cost Hazmat Callout 10/20/15 (CCR# ) $ $ $ $ 1, Hazmat Callout 11/12/15 (CCR# ) $ 2, $ $ $ 3, Hazmat Callout 11/13/15 (CCR# ) $ 1, $ 1, $ $ 3, Total $ 7, Page!5

maintaining the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City and its visitors; and

maintaining the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City and its visitors; and Amended // Enacted // Introduced by Council Member Hazouri and amended by the Neighborhoods, Community Investments and Services Committee: ORDINANCE 0--E AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER (BURGLARY AND ROBBERY