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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/2006, C4 - PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EXHAUST EXTRACTION SYSTEM FOR ALL FIRE STATIONS council MciwD. 7-18-06 j acEnaa nEpont C . C I TY O F SAN LU I S O B I S P O FROM: John Callahan, Fire Chief Prepared By: Viv Dilts, Administrative Analyst lI and Mike King, Fire Engineer SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EXHAUST EXTRACTION SYSTEM FOR ALL FIRE STATIONS CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Approve Specification #90621 for the purchase and installation of vehicle exhaust extraction systems for all four fire stations, authorize soliciting of bids and authorize contract award by the CAO if the proposed amount is less than $179,500. 2. Appropriate $179,500 for this project: $161,525 from grant revenues and $17,975 from the unreserved General Fund balance. DISCUSSION Background. In May 2005, the Council authorized submission of a grant application in the amount of$179,473 to the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for vehicle exhaust extraction systems in all four fire stations. The Council was informed at that time that there would be a 10% City match ($17,975) if we were successful in obtaining grant funding for this project. We have subsequently been notified that our application has been approved, and accordingly, we recommend moving forward with purchasing this system. Appropriating our 10% matching requirement of $17,975 from the unreserved General Fund balance will have an insignificant impact on fund balance, which will remain at policy levels. Project Overview. With this project, vehicle exhaust extraction systems will be installed in all four of our fire stations to protect Firefighters and citizens from the cancer-causing effects of vehicle exhaust emissions generated by apparatus during startup, return and training. As discussed below under Fiscal Impact, 90% of the total cost will be funded from grant revenues (in the amount of$161,525), with the small remaining balance ($17,975) funded by the City. The proposed exhaust extraction systems would be composed of hoses that would make an airtight seal on the tailpipes of our apparatus. When the vehicles are on their way out of the station, the extraction hose, connected to the exhaust pipe by an air-tight suction device moves along with the vehicle. Diesel exhaust then passes from the air tight device to the extraction hose, through the ducting and extraction fan before escaping to the atmosphere. This method captures 100% of vehicle exhaust emissions. Meeting National Standards. The system would allow us to meet National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards 1500, 2002 Edition, Section A.9.1.6, which states: "This technical committee recognizes and advocates the need for the elimination and the containment of all vehicle exhaust emissions to a level of no less than 100 percent effective capture." N I Vehicle Exhaust Extraction Systems(All Fire Stations) Page 2 The system would also comply with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirement to reduce the emissions to the lowest feasible level in an effort to reduce the health impact on human life. It would address the California Occupational safety and Health Act of 1973 which was enacted by the California legislature to assure safe and healthful working conditions for all California working men and women. Additionally, these systems would protect our Firefighters who have living quarters either adjacent to the apparatus bays or over them. These systems would also protect the general public who visit our stations for tours and take classes such as Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). Personnel from other fire agencies also use our facilities to attend meetings (County Chiefs' Regional Grant Committee, County Training Officers' Committee and Central Coast Fire Prevention Association) and participate in training (such as EMT-1 classes and local college firefighter academy). CONCURRENCES The Finance&IT Director concurs with this recommendation. FISCAL IMPACT We have been notified that our Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program application has been approved, and accordingly, we recommend moving forward with purchasing this system. Appropriating a 10% matching requirement of $17,975 from the unreserved General Fund balance will have an insignificant impact on fund balance, which will remain at policy levels. ALTERNATIVES Do Not Go Forward with the Project. As the grant has a time restriction, not using the funding in a timely manner places the City in jeopardy of losing $161,525 for needed safety equipment.. Also, by not purchasing vehicle exhaust extraction systems, the City would be non-compliant with NFPA Standards, NIOSH requirements to reduce the emissions to the lowest feasible level, and California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 and potentially liable for health related hazards. AVAILABLE IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE Specification#90621 Invitation for Bid Package G:/Council Agenda Reports/CAR-Vehicle Exhaust Extraction Systems C4 -�