Code Red Consultants
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Experience: Market: Education

Somerville High School

The scope of the project included the demolition of the existing Somerville High School Building and construction of a new High School at 81 Highland Avenue in Somerville, MA. The building is 6-stories above-grade providing approximately 396,000 square feet of space for programming including classrooms, offices, laboratories, dining, gymnasium and auditorium functions. The High School officially welcomed students in March of 2021 with a capacity to support almost 1,600 students.

Code Red Consultants was engaged for NFPA 241 compliance, third party firestopping special inspection, and smoke control special inspection services. We teamed with PMA Consultants, Suffolk Construction and architect SMMA to both develop a plan that met the requirements of NFPA 241, the expectations of the City of Somerville, and the construction methods of the contractor. Additionally, Code Red coordinated with the project team to complete third party inspections for opening protectives in fire-rated wall and floor assemblies and for the buildings smoke control systems.

Throughout the project, Code Red Consultants provided construction administration-related assistance and management on an as-needed basis to ensure that the project remained on track to achieve the target occupancy date and that compliance with NFPA 241 was maintained as the associated construction operations and hazards changed.

Location

Somerville, Mass.

Size

6 stories

396,000 SF

Cost

$256 million

Completion

March 2021

Somerville High School

The scope of the project included the demolition of the existing Somerville High School Building and construction of a new High School at 81 Highland Avenue in Somerville, MA. The building is 6-stories above-grade providing approximately 396,000 square feet of space for programming including classrooms, offices, laboratories, dining, gymnasium and auditorium functions. The High School officially welcomed students in March of 2021 with a capacity to support almost 1,600 students.

Code Red Consultants was engaged for NFPA 241 compliance, third party firestopping special inspection, and smoke control special inspection services. We teamed with PMA Consultants, Suffolk Construction and architect SMMA to both develop a plan that met the requirements of NFPA 241, the expectations of the City of Somerville, and the construction methods of the contractor. Additionally, Code Red coordinated with the project team to complete third party inspections for opening protectives in fire-rated wall and floor assemblies and for the buildings smoke control systems.

Throughout the project, Code Red Consultants provided construction administration-related assistance and management on an as-needed basis to ensure that the project remained on track to achieve the target occupancy date and that compliance with NFPA 241 was maintained as the associated construction operations and hazards changed.

UMass Lowell Coburn Hall

In January 2020, UMass Lowell moved back into the University’s original academic Building, Coburn Hall. This building underwent a dramatic $47 million renovation, restoration and expansion. Working closely with CBT Architects, this challenging project successfully maintained the historic fabric of the 123-year-old building while allowing for necessary upgrades to the facility including modernized classroom and office spaces, accessibility upgrades, and new MEPFP systems. The most noticeable change to the building is a four-story, 14,000-square-foot addition at the rear of the existing 60,000 SF facility. Beyond providing an accessible entrance to Coburn Hall’s lower level, the addition includes a second-floor hallway (lined with offices) that provides an accessible “bridge” between the building’s two wings. Code Red Consultants served in the role of fire protection, life safety, and accessibility code consultant on the project.

Location

Lowell, Mass.

Size

74,000 square feet

Cost

$47 million

Completion

January 2020

Photography Credit

Wikimedia user Ktr101 under Creative Commons license. No changes were made.

UMass Lowell Coburn Hall

In January 2020, UMass Lowell moved back into the University’s original academic Building, Coburn Hall. This building underwent a dramatic $47 million renovation, restoration and expansion. Working closely with CBT Architects, this challenging project successfully maintained the historic fabric of the 123-year-old building while allowing for necessary upgrades to the facility including modernized classroom and office spaces, accessibility upgrades, and new MEPFP systems. The most noticeable change to the building is a four-story, 14,000-square-foot addition at the rear of the existing 60,000 SF facility. Beyond providing an accessible entrance to Coburn Hall’s lower level, the addition includes a second-floor hallway (lined with offices) that provides an accessible “bridge” between the building’s two wings. Code Red Consultants served in the role of fire protection, life safety, and accessibility code consultant on the project.

Harvard University, Harvard Hall

Code Red Consultants teamed in conjunction with Harvard University, Jones Architecture, and Consigli Construction on the renovation of the iconic Harvard Hall. This challenging project successfully maintained the historic fabric of the building while allowing for necessary upgrades to the facility including modernized classroom space, accessibility improvements and upgraded fire protection features. In addition to reviewing the appropriate code approaches to facilitate these upgrades, discussions with the City of Cambridge were necessary in order to ensure an appropriate level of protection was provided as a dynamic Construction Fire Safety Plan was implemented on a day to day basis.”

Location

Cambridge, Mass.

Size

10,000 SF

Completion

2020

Harvard University, Harvard Hall

Code Red Consultants teamed in conjunction with Harvard University, Jones Architecture, and Consigli Construction on the renovation of the iconic Harvard Hall. This challenging project successfully maintained the historic fabric of the building while allowing for necessary upgrades to the facility including modernized classroom space, accessibility improvements and upgraded fire protection features. In addition to reviewing the appropriate code approaches to facilitate these upgrades, we navigated discussions with the City of Cambridge to ensure an appropriate level of protection was provided as a dynamic Construction Fire Safety Plan was implemented on a daily basis.

Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, Lafayette College

Designed by Payette and serving as the new departmental home for Biology and Computer Science, the Integrated Sciences Center at Lafayette College is a 5-story building on a central campus courtyard that includes teaching labs, research labs, offices, a café, a rooftop greenhouse, and a spatially dynamic atrium that extends four stories. Code Red Consultants had several roles to play on the project both in design and during construction. During design, we provided fire protection and life safety code consulting services. The nature of the laboratory-focused facility necessitated our expertise on the use/storage of hazardous materials as well as the location and distribution of fire-separated control areas throughout the building. Strategic coordination was necessary given the adjacent central atrium, which was a focal point of the structure. We documented the code compliance approach of the fire-rated separations and egress compliance in a set of life safety drawings we developed for the permit submission. Due to the unique geometry of the atrium and requirement for emergency smoke exhaust, we also provided performance-based fire/smoke modeling services to evaluate tenability during egress and help size the roof-mounted exhaust fans and natural supply locations.

During construction, Code Red Consultants also served as the project smoke control special inspector. In this capacity, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of test plans for building smoke control, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the smoke control system at the completion of construction. Code Red Consultants worked in conjunction with Turner Construction to coordinate testing within the building to ensure successful final acceptance testing by the City of Easton Building and Fire Departments and on-time delivery of the building to the Owner. The building was available to be shown off for an open house and tours on the first day of the Fall 2019 semester.

Location

Easton, PA

Size

103,000 GSF

Cost

$64 million

Completion

August 2019

Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, Lafayette College

Designed by Payette and serving as the new departmental home for Biology and Computer Science, the Integrated Sciences Center at Lafayette College is a 5-story building on a central campus courtyard that includes teaching labs, research labs, offices, a café, a rooftop greenhouse, and a spatially dynamic atrium that extends four stories. Code Red Consultants had several roles to play on the project both in design and during construction. During design, we provided fire protection and life safety code consulting services. The nature of the laboratory-focused facility necessitated our expertise on the use/storage of hazardous materials as well as the location and distribution of fire-separated control areas throughout the building. Strategic coordination was necessary given the adjacent central atrium, which was a focal point of the structure. We documented the code compliance approach of the fire-rated separations and egress compliance in a set of life safety drawings we developed for the permit submission. Due to the unique geometry of the atrium and requirement for emergency smoke exhaust, we also provided performance-based fire/smoke modeling services to evaluate tenability during egress and help size the roof-mounted exhaust fans and natural supply locations.

During construction, Code Red Consultants also served as the project smoke control special inspector. In this capacity, we were responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of test plans for building smoke control, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the smoke control system at the completion of construction. Code Red Consultants worked in conjunction with Turner Construction to coordinate testing within the building to ensure successful final acceptance testing by the City of Easton Building and Fire Departments and on-time delivery of the building to the Owner. The building was available to be shown off for an open house and tours on the first day of the Fall 2019 semester.

Stonehill College School of Business

Located in the center of the Stonehill College campus quad, the new Leo J. Meehan School of Business is designed to enhance the College’s already strong business programs with cutting-edge technologies and adaptive, modern classrooms and collaboration spaces.

The building is named after the current CEO of W.B. Mason, who graded from the school in 1975. Costing $35 million and covering 63,450 square feet, the building is home to 34 faculty members in accounting, finance, international business, management, marketing, economics, and healthcare administration. The building’s architecture follows in line with the Georgian theme on campus. The interior is designed to become the hub for the business school community, generating a “buzz” that energizes business education and encourages students to network with peers and faculty. A prime space for social networking, the hub is a place to check email, the day’s events on Bloomberg news or connect with fellow entrepreneurs outside the maker space.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the Town of Easton’s Building and Fire Departments. Teamed with the S/L/A/M Collaborative, Code Red Consultants served as the code consultant on the project and was responsible for developing a compliance approach that aligned with the needs and goals for the building.

Location

North Easton, Mass

Size

63,450 SF

Cost

$35 million

Completion

September 2019

Stonehill College School of Business

Located in the center of the Stonehill College campus quad, the new Leo J. Meehan School of Business is designed to enhance the College’s already strong business programs with cutting-edge technologies and adaptive, modern classrooms and collaboration spaces.

The building is named after the current CEO of W.B. Mason, who graded from the school in 1975. Costing $35 million and covering 63,450 square feet, the building is home to 34 faculty members in accounting, finance, international business, management, marketing, economics, and healthcare administration. The building’s architecture follows in line with the Georgian theme on campus. The interior is designed to become the hub for the business school community, generating a “buzz” that energizes business education and encourages students to network with peers and faculty. A prime space for social networking, the hub is a place to check email, the day’s events on Bloomberg news or connect with fellow entrepreneurs outside the maker space.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the Town of Easton’s Building and Fire Departments. Teamed with the S/L/A/M Collaborative, Code Red Consultants served as the code consultant on the project and was responsible for developing a compliance approach that aligned with the needs and goals for the building.

Fairfield University: Dolan School of Business

In September of 2019, Fairfield University moved its Charles F. Dolan School of Business into a new $40 million “state-of-the art” building. The 80,500 square feet Dolan facility includes a simulated financial trading room, big data analytics lab and an entrepreneurship center with ideation lab space — a flexible space designed around engagement with the local business community. Also featured are 16 technology-enriched classrooms, collaborative meeting spaces for students and faculty, as well as a new event space. There is a one-button studio, gaming simulation room, behavioral research lab, and the University’s Center for Applied Ethics. The Dolan School has about 500 graduate students and 1,500 undergraduate students. Code Red Consultants served in the role of fire protection, life safety, and accessibility code consultant on the project. Working closely with the S/L/A/M Collaborative, the design team was able to develop a unique code approach to achieve vertical connectivity through the building and create an alternative egress strategy that met the functional needs of the owner and life safety goals of the code.

Location

Fairfield, Conn.

Size

80,500 SF

Cost

$40 million

Completion

September 2019

Fairfield University: Dolan School of Business

In September of 2019, Fairfield University moved its Charles F. Dolan School of Business into a new $40 million “state-of-the art” building. The 80,500 square feet Dolan facility includes a simulated financial trading room, big data analytics lab and an entrepreneurship center with ideation lab space — a flexible space designed around engagement with the local business community. Also featured are 16 technology-enriched classrooms, collaborative meeting spaces for students and faculty, as well as a new event space. There is a one-button studio, gaming simulation room, behavioral research lab, and the University’s Center for Applied Ethics. The Dolan School has about 500 graduate students and 1,500 undergraduate students. Code Red Consultants served in the role of fire protection, life safety, and accessibility code consultant on the project. Working closely with the S/L/A/M Collaborative, the design team was able to develop a unique code approach to achieve vertical connectivity through the building and create an alternative egress strategy that met the functional needs of the owner and life safety goals of the code.

Emerson College: Little Building

Code Red Consultants worked extensively with Suffolk Construction and Emerson College over the duration of the complex renovations to the existing college dormitory building on the Emerson College Campus in Boston, MA. Renovations to the building included the complete gut renovation and construction of new, pressurized, exit stairs, and a one-story vertical addition, all while the adjacent buildings remain occupied at the tight intersection of Boylston and Tremont Streets on the Common. Code Red worked closely to ensure that an accurate construction fire safety plan was developed and updated, as the project included a complete replacement of the existing façade and all fire protection/life safety systems.  This required regular site visits and open communication with the Boston Fire and Inspectional Services Departments.  Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector to ensure that the new smoke control systems were retrofit into the existing building in accordance with the applicable codes and standards for their installation.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

275,900 SF

Cost

$100 million

Completion

Summer 2019

Emerson College: Little Building

Code Red Consultants worked extensively with Suffolk Construction and Emerson College over the duration of the complex renovations to the existing college dormitory building on the Emerson College Campus in Boston, MA. Renovations to the building included the complete gut renovation and construction of new, pressurized, exit stairs, and a one-story vertical addition, all while the adjacent buildings remain occupied at the tight intersection of Boylston and Tremont Streets on the Common. Code Red worked closely to ensure that an accurate construction fire safety plan was developed and updated, as the project included a complete replacement of the existing façade and all fire protection/life safety systems.  This required regular site visits and open communication with the Boston Fire and Inspectional Services Departments.  Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector to ensure that the new smoke control systems were retrofit into the existing building in accordance with the applicable codes and standards for their installation.

Education First Phase III

Hult International Business School provides students with the ability to travel across the world, retain a college education, and develop the ability to conquer the business world. One of their many campuses is right here in Cambridge Massachusetts, located in the quickly developing Cambridge Crossing campus. The new Education First EF-III building was constructed to provide students with modern dormitories and recreational space allowing for a fluid environment for business relationships to flourish.

The new 12-Story building, constructed by Skanska, stands at 149’ tall and encompasses a total gross square footage of 282,230. The building includes dormitory living units, amenity and recreational spaces, and two floors of parking garage.

Throughout construction, Code Red Consultants developed a fire protection and life safety systems NFPA 3&4 report. The deliverable highlighted the fire protection systems throughout the building as well as the testing and commissioning requirements. This report set guidelines and expectations for construction team regarding how the systems should operate and be tested. Life safety system commissioning included but was not limited to the building fire alarm system, emergency voice alarm communication systems, wet sprinkler systems, dry sprinkler systems, Ansul systems, security system integration, HVAC system integration, smoke removal systems, and smoke control systems. Though the integrated life safety system commissioning required extensive coordination and no shortage of challenges, the Code Red team witnessed a successful test in time for the certificate of occupancy deadline.

Location

Cambridge, Mass.

Size

300,000 GSF

Completion

2019

Education First Phase III

Hult International Business School provides students with the ability to travel across the world, retain a college education, and develop the ability to conquer the business world. One of their many campuses is right here in Cambridge Massachusetts, located in the quickly developing Cambridge Crossing campus. The new Education First EF-III building was constructed to provide students with modern dormitories and recreational space allowing for a fluid environment for business relationships to flourish.

The new 12-Story building, constructed by Skanska, stands at 149’ tall and encompasses a total gross square footage of 282,230. The building includes dormitory living units, amenity and recreational spaces, and two floors of parking garage.

Throughout construction, Code Red Consultants developed a fire protection and life safety systems NFPA 3&4 report. The deliverable highlighted the fire protection systems throughout the building as well as the testing and commissioning requirements. This report set guidelines and expectations for construction team regarding how the systems should operate and be tested. Life safety system commissioning included but was not limited to the building fire alarm system, emergency voice alarm communication systems, wet sprinkler systems, dry sprinkler systems, Ansul systems, security system integration, HVAC system integration, smoke removal systems, and smoke control systems. Though the integrated life safety system commissioning required extensive coordination and no shortage of challenges, the Code Red team witnessed a successful test in time for the certificate of occupancy deadline.

Plymouth State University, Merrill Place Residence Hall and Conference Center

Plymouth State University’s (PSU) newest residence hall, Merrill Place Residence Hall and Conference Center, is a seven-story, 288-bed building that allows PSU to further integrate its academic cluster model into the living-learning experience for students. In addition to being the premier residence hall on campus, Merrill Place also serves as the centerpiece to PSU’s growing conference and events department. With full-service conference facilities and on-site hotel-style housing, Merrill Place will help Plymouth State grow its summer conference business and have a direct, positive impact on regional tourism and economic development.

Code Red Consultants assisted architecture firm Perkins + Will in confirming code compliance for the design of Merrill Place as a student residential structure that doubles as a business center during the non-school months of the year. The code compliant design achieved a balance between student and public access.

Location

Plymouth, New Hampshire

Size

95,000 SF

Cost

$33 million

Completion

2017

Photography Credit

Anton Grassl

Plymouth State University, Merrill Place Residence Hall and Conference Center

Plymouth State University’s (PSU) newest residence hall, Merrill Place Residence Hall and Conference Center, is a seven-story, 288-bed building that allows PSU to further integrate its academic cluster model into the living-learning experience for students. In addition to being the premier residence hall on campus, Merrill Place also serves as the centerpiece to PSU’s growing conference and events department. With full-service conference facilities and on-site hotel-style housing, Merrill Place will help Plymouth State grow its summer conference business and have a direct, positive impact on regional tourism and economic development.

Code Red Consultants assisted architecture firm Perkins + Will in confirming code compliance for the design of Merrill Place as a student residential structure that doubles as a business center during the non-school months of the year. The code compliant design achieved a balance between student and public access.

Yale University Sterling Memorial Library

Opened in 1931, Sterling Memorial Library is one of Yale University’s most prominent buildings and the largest of all the Yale libraries. This interior renovation project included the construction of new classrooms, meeting rooms, offices and collaboration areas on the entry floor, classrooms on the first floor, and alterations to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Code Red Consultants worked closely with the design team to develop strategies for egress, plumbing, and accessibility compliance, which can be challenging with small renovations in older buildings. The firm successfully presented a compliance alternative, which was approved by the Office of State Building Inspector, to address existing building constraints that made strict compliance impractical in this historic building.

Code Red Consultants also worked closely with Yale and the design team to develop a security strategy that met the University’s needs and maintained a compliant life safety strategy. The plumbing fixture approach that was developed by the firm helped to avoid unnecessary plumbing upgrades, a strategy that resulted in cost savings for the client.

Location

New Haven, Conn.

Size

20,000 SF

Cost

N/A

Completion

2018

Photography Credit

Christopher Gardner Photography

Yale University Sterling Memorial Library

Opened in 1931, Sterling Memorial Library is one of Yale University’s most prominent buildings and the largest of all the Yale libraries. This interior renovation project included the construction of new classrooms, meeting rooms, offices and collaboration areas on the entry floor, classrooms on the first floor, and alterations to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Code Red Consultants worked closely with the design team to develop strategies for egress, plumbing, and accessibility compliance, which can be challenging with small renovations in older buildings. The firm successfully presented a compliance alternative, which was approved by the Office of State Building Inspector, to address existing building constraints that made strict compliance impractical in this historic building.

Code Red Consultants also worked closely with Yale and the design team to develop a security strategy that met the University’s needs and maintained a compliant life safety strategy. The plumbing fixture approach that was developed by the firm helped to avoid unnecessary plumbing upgrades, a strategy that resulted in cost savings for the client.