Code Red Consultants
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Experience: Service: Smoke Control Design & Special Inspections

Commonwealth Building, Boston, MA

The new Commonwealth Building sits among Kenmore Square below the iconic Citgo Sign, minutes away from Boston’s Fenway Park.  Stantec was responsible for the design of this new eight-story, ~130,000 square foot commercial building for Related Beal.  The building consisted of two levels of below-grade parking, ground floor retail space, seven levels of above-grade office, and a mechanical penthouse.

Code Red Consultants served as the code consultant on the project to Related Beal and developed a detailed code approach documenting compliance with the local building and fire codes and reviewed architectural plans for code compliance.

Code Red Consultants was also retained directly by Related Beal to develop a comprehensive NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Plan that ensured the fire safety of construction personnel, the fire department, and the surrounding community over the course of the project. Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the Fire Stopping Special Inspector, ensuring the passive fire protection systems were appropriately selected and installed.  As the Smoke Control Special Inspector, we ensured that the new stair pressurization systems were designed, installed, and operated in accordance with the applicable codes and standards.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

130,000 SF

Cost

$60-64 million

Completion

January 2022

Photography Credit

Related Beal and Mark Woods

Commonwealth Building, Boston, MA

The new Commonwealth Building sits among Kenmore Square below the iconic Citgo Sign, minutes away from Boston’s Fenway Park.  Stantec was responsible for the design of this new eight-story, ~130,000 square foot commercial building for Related Beal.  The building consisted of two levels of below-grade parking, ground floor retail space, seven levels of above-grade office, and a mechanical penthouse.

Code Red Consultants served as the code consultant on the project to Related Beal and developed a detailed code approach documenting compliance with the local building and fire codes and reviewed architectural plans for code compliance.

Code Red Consultants was also retained directly by Related Beal to develop a comprehensive NFPA 241, Construction Fire Safety Plan that ensured the fire safety of construction personnel, the fire department, and the surrounding community over the course of the project. Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the Fire Stopping Special Inspector, ensuring the passive fire protection systems were appropriately selected and installed.  As the Smoke Control Special Inspector, we ensured that the new stair pressurization systems were designed, installed, and operated in accordance with the applicable codes and standards.

Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA

The new Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is an eight-story, 544,000 square foot building featuring a variety of classrooms, wet and dry research labs, amenity spaces, and teaching labs.  The building’s two glazed atria provide vertical interconnection between multiple stories and allow for light-filled gathering and social areas.  This LEED Platinum building paired sustainability and performance with a striking exterior and interior design to create a center for scientific research and student gathering.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with architect Behnisch Architekten, Code Red Consultants’ services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting as well as performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.  Included in the code approach were several State Building Code Variances related to (1) sprinkle-protected glass control area boundaries, (2) stair discharge through an atrium, and (3) the storage of flammable liquids in a basement.

During construction, Code Red Consultants served as the project NFPA 3 & 4 Commissioning & Integrated Testing Agent, as well as the 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 and integrated fire and life safety systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the integrated systems at the completion of construction. We also worked closely with the design team and University to prepare the Boston Fire Department (BFD) Place of Assembly permit drawings and applications for the numerous and flexible amenity areas of the building.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

544,000 SF

Cost

$1 billion

Completion

2021

Photography Credit

Brad Feinknopf/OTTO (designed by Behnisch Architekten)

Rending Credit

Behnisch Architekten

Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA

The new Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is an eight-story, 544,000 square foot building featuring a variety of classrooms, wet and dry research labs, amenity spaces, and teaching labs.  The building’s two glazed atria provide vertical interconnection between multiple stories and allow for light-filled gathering and social areas.  This LEED Platinum building paired sustainability and performance with a striking exterior and interior design to create a center for scientific research and student gathering.

Serving as the project’s code consultant, Code Red Consultants was responsible for developing and presenting the building’s code compliance approach to the City of Boston’s Building and Fire Departments. Working with architect Behnisch Architekten, Code Red Consultants’ services included building, fire, accessibility, and hazardous materials code consulting as well as performance-based design analysis of the atrium smoke control system using a computational fluid dynamics computer model.  Included in the code approach were several State Building Code Variances related to (1) sprinkle-protected glass control area boundaries, (2) stair discharge through an atrium, and (3) the storage of flammable liquids in a basement.

During construction, Code Red Consultants served as the project NFPA 3 & 4 Commissioning & Integrated Testing Agent, as well as the 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 and integrated fire and life safety systems, conducting field inspections during construction, and verifying performance of the integrated systems at the completion of construction. We also worked closely with the design team and University to prepare the Boston Fire Department (BFD) Place of Assembly permit drawings and applications for the numerous and flexible amenity areas of the building.

Boynton Yards – 101 South Street

101 South Street in Somerville, MA is the first of three, state-of-the-art life science buildings on the Boynton Yards campus. The building is nine-stories in height, with a footprint area of approximately 35,000 square feet.  It contains four levels of below grade parking, a ground floor lobby and future retail space(s), shell and core future offices/labs on levels 2-9, and two mechanical penthouse levels. Code Red Consultants worked closely with the Architect (SGA), Developer (Leggat McCall Properties), and General Contractor (Shawmut Design and Construction) to provide a full suite of fire protection and life safety consulting services over the course of both the design and construction phases of the project.

For the design phase of the project, Code Red Consultants served as the project code consultant to SGA to provide fire protection and life safety code consulting services. Our involvement included navigating the various code requirements related to the building with an objective of meeting the project’s design intent.

During the construction phase of the project, Code Red Consultants assisted in the development of a NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plan to provide the Somerville Fire Department with key life safety site and system information necessary in the event of a fire or other emergency. The document summarized the logistics associated with site access and active fire protection and life safety systems at the time of response. In collaboration with Leggat McCall, Code Red Consultants also worked to develop an owner’s master construction fire safety program for the initial shell and core occupancy of the building. Lastly, Code Red Consultants was responsible for serving as the Smoke Control Special Inspector (SCSI) for the building’s pressurized stairways. During inspection, the SCSI verified that the smoke control equipment and system complied with the requirements contained within the applicable codes. To achieve this, Code Red Consultants performed drawing reviews of shop submittals, participated in meetings with the design team and AHJ’s, conducted site visits to witness duct leakage testing and to review damper locations and installation, and piloted comprehensive integrated testing of the smoke control, fire alarm, fire protection systems, and electrical systems. The systems were accepted by the Somerville Fire Department on the first acceptance test, helping Shawmut and Leggat McCall complete the project.

Location

Somerville, Mass.

Size

35,000 SF
9 Stories

Completion

Winter 2021

Boynton Yards – 101 South Street

101 South Street in Somerville, MA is the first of three, state-of-the-art life science buildings on the Boynton Yards campus. The building is nine-stories in height, with a footprint area of approximately 35,000 square feet.  It contains four levels of below grade parking, a ground floor lobby and future retail space(s), shell and core future offices/labs on levels 2-9, and two mechanical penthouse levels. Code Red Consultants worked closely with the Architect (SGA), Developer (Leggat McCall Properties), and General Contractor (Shawmut Design and Construction) to provide a full suite of fire protection and life safety consulting services over the course of both the design and construction phases of the project.

For the design phase of the project, Code Red Consultants served as the project code consultant to SGA to provide fire protection and life safety code consulting services. Our involvement included navigating the various code requirements related to the building with an objective of meeting the project’s design intent.

During the construction phase of the project, Code Red Consultants assisted in the development of a NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plan to provide the Somerville Fire Department with key life safety site and system information necessary in the event of a fire or other emergency. The document summarized the logistics associated with site access and active fire protection and life safety systems at the time of response. In collaboration with Leggat McCall, Code Red Consultants also worked to develop an owner’s master construction fire safety program for the initial shell and core occupancy of the building. Lastly, Code Red Consultants was responsible for serving as the Smoke Control Special Inspector (SCSI) for the building’s pressurized stairways. During inspection, the SCSI verified that the smoke control equipment and system complied with the requirements contained within the applicable codes. To achieve this, Code Red Consultants performed drawing reviews of shop submittals, participated in meetings with the design team and AHJ’s, conducted site visits to witness duct leakage testing and to review damper locations and installation, and piloted comprehensive integrated testing of the smoke control, fire alarm, fire protection systems, and electrical systems. The systems were accepted by the Somerville Fire Department on the first acceptance test, helping Shawmut and Leggat McCall complete the project.

The Quinn, Boston, MA

The Quinn is a new 273-unit apartment and condominium building located at 370-390 Harrison Avenue in Boston’s South End neighborhood.

Code Red Consultants was retained by the owner, Related Beal, to develop a comprehensive NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plan. The Plan provided the Boston Fire Department with key life safety site and system information necessary in the event of a fire or other emergency. The document helped address the various logistical (or project) challenges while maintaining a safe environment for construction personnel and the general public all the while meeting project deadlines.

Code Red Consultants also served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector (SCSI) and verified that the smoke control equipment and system was installed in compliance with the requirements of 780 CMR, Massachusetts State Building Code, as enforced by the Boston Fire Department. This system acceptance testing required comprehensive, coordinated, testing of the building’s smoke control, fire alarm, fire protection systems.  The test passed on the first time, which allowed for occupancy approvals from the City.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

356,000 SF
14 Stories

Cost

$140 million

Completion

December 2021

The Quinn, Boston, MA

The Quinn is a new 273-unit apartment and condominium building located at 370-390 Harrison Avenue in Boston’s South End neighborhood.

Code Red Consultants was retained by the owner, Related Beal, to develop a comprehensive NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plan. The Plan provided the Boston Fire Department with key life safety site and system information necessary in the event of a fire or other emergency. The document helped address the various logistical (or project) challenges while maintaining a safe environment for construction personnel and the general public all the while meeting project deadlines.

Code Red Consultants also served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector (SCSI) and verified that the smoke control equipment and system was installed in compliance with the requirements of 780 CMR, Massachusetts State Building Code, as enforced by the Boston Fire Department. This system acceptance testing required comprehensive, coordinated, testing of the building’s smoke control, fire alarm, fire protection systems.  The test passed on the first time, which allowed for occupancy approvals from the City.

Alcott Apartments

Code Red Consultants worked closely with Equity Residential and AECOM Tishman on the new Alcott Apartments mixed-use building in a Boston, Massachusetts’ West End neighborhood. The project consists of a new 44 story tower containing 470 residential units, First Floor retail and 37th Floor Sky Deck. The building also includes 5 levels of sub-grade parking.

Code Red Consultants collaborated with both Equity Residential and AECOM Tishman to assist in the development of a phased occupancy plan for the building (including phasing of the fire alarm, fire protection and other life safety systems) which helped to allow the building to open on time with ongoing upper floor construction while maintaining the necessary levels of fire protection and life safety for the building.

In addition, Code Red performed Smoke Control Special Inspections of the building’s two pressurized stairways. As the Smoke Control Special Inspector, Code Red was responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of Test Plans for the building’s smoke control systems and verifying performance of the smoke control systems at the completion of construction.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

44 stories

Completion

September 2021

Photography Credit

Dan Abboud

Alcott Apartments

Code Red Consultants worked closely with Equity Residential and AECOM Tishman on the new Alcott Apartments mixed-use building in a Boston, Massachusetts’ West End neighborhood. The project consists of a new 44 story tower containing 470 residential units, First Floor retail and 37th Floor Sky Deck. The building also includes 5 levels of sub-grade parking.

Code Red Consultants collaborated with both Equity Residential and AECOM Tishman to assist in the development of a phased occupancy plan for the building (including phasing of the fire alarm, fire protection and other life safety systems) which helped to allow the building to open on time with ongoing upper floor construction while maintaining the necessary levels of fire protection and life safety for the building.

In addition, Code Red performed Smoke Control Special Inspections of the building’s two pressurized stairways. As the Smoke Control Special Inspector, Code Red was responsible for conducting design and shop drawing level documentation reviews across multiple disciplines, development of Test Plans for the building’s smoke control systems and verifying performance of the smoke control systems at the completion of construction.

Assembly Row Block 5B

The scope of the project included the construction and partial fit out of the Assembly Row Block 5B office building at 455 Grand Union Boulevard in Somerville, MA. The building includes Ground Level retail spaces, a combination of core/shell and fit out office spaces, and 6 levels of above grade parking over 14-stories and approximately 600,000 square feet.

Code Red Consultants was engaged for both code consulting and construction administration services for both the Base Building and the PUMA headquarters fit out projects. The firm served as the code consultant for both Jacobs and Gensler respectively on the design side of the projects. Our involvement on each respective project included navigating the various code requirements related to the proposed projects in order to achieve the design intent through a combination of traditional and complex methods.

Throughout construction, coordination 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. Code Red Consultants served as both the Base Building and tenant fit out Smoke Control Special Inspector and Firestopping Special Inspector. Additionally, the firm worked with Federal Realty Investment Trust, Cranshaw Construction and Timberline Construction Corporation to develop both a phased occupancy plan and construction plan that met the requirements of NFPA 241, the expectations of the City of Somerville, and the construction methods of the contractor. Construction administration-related assistance and management was provided on an as-needed basis to ensure that the projects remained on track to achieve the target occupancy dates and that compliance with NFPA 241 was maintained as the associated construction operations and hazards changed.

The Building officially welcomed occupants in June of 2021

Location

Somerville, Mass.

Size

14 stories
600,000 SF

Cost

$96 million

Completion

April 2021

Assembly Row Block 5B

The scope of the project included the construction and partial fit out of the Assembly Row Block 5B office building at 455 Grand Union Boulevard in Somerville, MA. The building includes Ground Level retail spaces, a combination of core/shell and fit out office spaces, and 6 levels of above grade parking over 14-stories and approximately 600,000 square feet.

Code Red Consultants was engaged for both code consulting and construction administration services for both the Base Building and the PUMA headquarters fit out projects. The firm served as the code consultant for both Jacobs and Gensler respectively on the design side of the projects. Our involvement on each respective project included navigating the various code requirements related to the proposed projects in order to achieve the design intent through a combination of traditional and complex methods.

Throughout construction, coordination 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. Code Red Consultants served as both the Base Building and tenant fit out Smoke Control Special Inspector and Firestopping Special Inspector. Additionally, the firm worked with Federal Realty Investment Trust, Cranshaw Construction and Timberline Construction Corporation to develop both a phased occupancy plan and construction plan that met the requirements of NFPA 241, the expectations of the City of Somerville, and the construction methods of the contractor. Construction administration-related assistance and management was provided on an as-needed basis to ensure that the projects remained on track to achieve the target occupancy dates and that compliance with NFPA 241 was maintained as the associated construction operations and hazards changed.

The Building officially welcomed occupants in June of 2021

Ryder Residential Apartments

Ryder is Revere’s newest residential development offering oceanfront living just minutes away from downtown Boston in Revere, MA. Arrowstreet Architecture and Design was responsible for the master plan and design of this new multi-building development. 21 Revere Beach Boulevard and 50 Ocean Ave. are two new 7-story high rise residential apartment buildings with a 2-story below podium parking garage which were occupied via two turnovers.

Code Red Consultants was retained directly by the general contractor, Callahan, and the Owner’s Project Manager, Redgate, to develop a comprehensive NFPA 241 & Phased Occupancy Plan that ensured the fire safety of residents, employees, and construction personnel over the course of the project which was just feet from Revere Beach. Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector to ensure that the new stair and elevator pressurization systems were designed and built in accordance with the applicable codes and standards.

Code Red Consultants’ focus was performing a comprehensive review of the turnover approach and interfacing with Revere city officials, where there was an upfront contract that the fire and life safety systems afforded to building occupants would not be compromised. Code Red Consultants’ hands-on approach ensured that residences were able to be occupied on schedule.

Location

Revere, Mass.

Size

7 stories
49,000 SF footprint

Completion

2021

Ryder Residential Apartments

Ryder is Revere’s newest residential development offering oceanfront living just minutes away from downtown Boston in Revere, MA. Arrowstreet Architecture and Design was responsible for the master plan and design of this new multi-building development. 21 Revere Beach Boulevard and 50 Ocean Ave. are two new 7-story high rise residential apartment buildings with a 2-story below podium parking garage which were occupied via two turnovers.

Code Red Consultants was retained directly by the general contractor, Callahan, and the Owner’s Project Manager, Redgate, to develop a comprehensive NFPA 241 & Phased Occupancy Plan that ensured the fire safety of residents, employees, and construction personnel over the course of the project which was just feet from Revere Beach. Additionally, Code Red Consultants served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector to ensure that the new stair and elevator pressurization systems were designed and built in accordance with the applicable codes and standards.

Code Red Consultants’ focus was performing a comprehensive review of the turnover approach and interfacing with Revere city officials, where there was an upfront contract that the fire and life safety systems afforded to building occupants would not be compromised. Code Red Consultants’ hands-on approach ensured that residences were able to be occupied on schedule.

95 Berkeley Street, Boston

Code Red Consultants worked closely with CIM Group and AECOM Tishman on this 100+ years old building in Boston’s historic South End. Originally erected in 1920, 95 Berkeley Street completed a gut renovation back to core-shell, which included a beautiful new entrance lobby. 95 Berkeley Street contains 6- stories above grade, 1- level below-grade and hosts nearly 82,000 square feet of contiguous availability. The building offers high ceilings, oversized windows, and 1 level of underground parking.

Code Red worked with CIM Group and AECOM Tishman on a variety of construction services including code consulting, the development of the NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Program, Third Party Firestopping Inspections, Smoke Control Special Inspections of the pressurized stairways, and the development of the Building Master NFPA 241 Program to permit construction operations while the building becomes occupied.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Size

92,708 SF

Completion

2021

Photography Credit

CIM Group

95 Berkeley Street, Boston

Code Red Consultants worked closely with CIM Group and AECOM Tishman on this 100+ years old building in Boston’s historic South End. Originally erected in 1920, 95 Berkeley Street completed a gut renovation back to core-shell, which included a beautiful new entrance lobby. 95 Berkeley Street contains 6- stories above grade, 1- level below-grade and hosts nearly 82,000 square feet of contiguous availability. The building offers high ceilings, oversized windows, and 1 level of underground parking.

Code Red worked with CIM Group and AECOM Tishman on a variety of construction services including code consulting, the development of the NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Program, Third Party Firestopping Inspections, Smoke Control Special Inspections of the pressurized stairways, and the development of the Building Master NFPA 241 Program to permit construction operations while the building becomes occupied.

Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Chestnut Hill

Code Red Consultants teamed in conjunction with Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Walsh Brothers on the renovation to Floors 3 and 4 of the existing 300 Boylston Street building in Newton, MA to create a new state of the art outpatient cancer center. These floors included clinical trial, imaging, nutrition services, and other patient treatment areas, while providing the same services which can be found on the Boston campus. The fitout of the core/shell spaces, which were previous mall spaces, was challenged by various existing structural conditions, and occupied tenant spaces within the building. Code Red Consultants served the owner and design to provide architectural and engineering reviews of the proposed spaces during the design process. In addition, a comprehensive fire safety plan was developed to meet the aggressive project schedule while also maintaining a safe environment for the occupied tenant spaces within the building. Prior to occupancy, Code Red Consultants performed firestopping special inspection services, ensuring the passive fire protection systems were appropriately installed, and recommissioned the buildings atrium exhaust system, ensuring the system operated as originally installed.

Location

Newton, Mass.

Completion

March 2021

Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Chestnut Hill

Code Red Consultants teamed in conjunction with Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Walsh Brothers on the renovation to Floors 3 and 4 of the existing 300 Boylston Street building in Newton, MA to create a new state of the art outpatient cancer center. These floors included clinical trial, imaging, nutrition services, and other patient treatment areas, while providing the same services which can be found on the Boston campus. The fitout of the core/shell spaces, which were previous mall spaces, was challenged by various existing structural conditions, and occupied tenant spaces within the building. Code Red Consultants served the owner and design to provide architectural and engineering reviews of the proposed spaces during the design process. In addition, a comprehensive fire safety plan was developed to meet the aggressive project schedule while also maintaining a safe environment for the occupied tenant spaces within the building. Prior to occupancy, Code Red Consultants performed firestopping special inspection services, ensuring the passive fire protection systems were appropriately installed, and recommissioned the buildings atrium exhaust system, ensuring the system operated as originally installed.

Parcel A: Marine Wharf

Code Red Consultants teamed in conjunction with Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation and Suffolk Construction for a new high-rise hotel at Parcel A in Boston, MA. Parcel A, located at the entrance to the Flynn Cruiseport Terminal contains both short duration and extended stay hotel rooms under the Hilton Flag. Guests of the hotel are provided with amenity spaces including a pool, fitness center, business center, and lounge areas. Code Red worked with Suffolk Construction to develop and implement a complex Construction Fire Safety Plan to meet an aggressive project schedule, while maintaining the necessary levels of safety for those constructing the building and the adjacent properties. In addition to support of the construction team, Code Red Consultants performed firestopping special inspection services, ensuring the passive fire protection systems were appropriately installed, and served as the smoke control special inspector to commission the smoke control system within the building while satisfying the requirements of the Boston Fire Department.

Location

Boston, Mass.

Completion

March 2021

Parcel A: Marine Wharf

Code Red Consultants teamed in conjunction with Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation and Suffolk Construction for a new high-rise hotel at Parcel A in Boston, MA. Parcel A, located at the entrance to the Flynn Cruiseport Terminal contains both short duration and extended stay hotel rooms under the Hilton Flag. Guests of the hotel are provided with amenity spaces including a pool, fitness center, business center, and lounge areas. Code Red worked with Suffolk Construction to develop and implement a complex Construction Fire Safety Plan to meet an aggressive project schedule, while maintaining the necessary levels of safety for those constructing the building and the adjacent properties. In addition to support of the construction team, Code Red Consultants performed firestopping special inspection services, ensuring the passive fire protection systems were appropriately installed, and served as the smoke control special inspector to commission the smoke control system within the building while satisfying the requirements of the Boston Fire Department.