Explanation Of Fire Alarm Safety for the WRC
Where we are now (August 2018)
• The only difference between “where we were” and “Where we are now” is the installation of NO Parking signs around the cul-de-sac circle.
• There are no fire lane markings on the Southern end of Olive Road on the High School side of the road. The only fire lane marking are on the High School pavilion at the West fire lane entrance to the parking lot. This fire lane extends about eight parking spaces into the WRC parking lot.
• “No parking” signs now exist around the cul-de-sac circle at the end of Olive Road. Fire trucks still cannot proceed unimpeded on South Olive Road to suppress fire on the East side of the High School because the curb remains
unpainted. There is no fire lane and vehicles can legally pull over to the right side of the road and in the cul-de-sac circle to let fire trucks pass. So, while there is no parking allowed in the circle vehicle drivers caught in the circle, with fire trucks close behind, may choose to pull over to the right to let fire trucks pass. Doing so will fill space on the right side of the circle making the hard right turn more difficult for first responders. Likewise, vehicles that pull over to the right on South Olive Road to let fire trucks pass, can do so legally but if there is a fire in the East side of the High School building they would occupy space that fire trucks need to occupy in order to suppress the fire. O, a speedy and safe trip by first responders to either the WRC or the South side of the High School remains elusive.
• Fire trucks still must suppress fires in the South end of the High School from behind parked vehicles in the WRC parking lot.
• There are no audible or visual outside fire alarm devices mounted on the outside of the WRC.
• With no fire lane markings painted on the pavement of the WRC parking lot
patrons are free to back out of parking spaces at will and thereby obstruct the progress of fire trucks emerging from the West entrance fire lane. With no audible and visual outside fire alarm patrons in the parking lot, both on foot and in vehicles, are oblivious to a fire alarm and a building evacuation and can proceeded with “business as usual” by walking and crossing the center lane of the parking lot and backing out of parking spaces, without regard to oncoming fire trucks.
• Fire trucks can still access the WRC parking lot by using the West end fire lane connection between the High School parking lot and the WRC parking lot.
• Fire trucks that managed to arrive at the middle of the WRC parking lot can
suppress fire at the Southern side of the High School building but can only do so from behind parked vehicles in the Northern parking spaces of the WRC and about 26 feet from the curb.
• Procedures for the evacuation of patrons and staff from the WRC building and vehicles in the parking lot have been provided to the EPRD in an attachment to this email but have not yet been integrated with existing procedures. These new procedures depend on the existence of fire lane markings painted on the pavement of the WRC parking lot. Said painting has not yet been completed. Therefore, WRC staff have not yet received training in the new procedures, and educational brochures have not yet been designed for publication and distribution to patrons and the public. Fire lanes and education are key to controlling the parking lot to safeguard patrons and first responders.
• First responders navigating fire trucks in the WRC parking lot will have to deal with the chaos of patrons on foot and in vehicles during a marginally controlled evacuation that only focuses on vacating the building with no regard to vacating the parking lot for use by first responders.
evergreensafetywatch
8/8/20