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MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Design-Build for the Installation of Fire Standpipe and Upgrade to Fire Protection System at the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge

MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Sector Transit

Location Queens, New York; Manhattan, New York; Bronx, New York

Category of services Fire Protection

Service category New Construction, Renovation, Design-Build

This project included the installation of new dry fire standpipe systems on the Randall’s Island and Ward’s Island Viaduct, the Junction Structure and Bronx Toll Plaza, the Bronx Kills Crossing, the east side of the Harlem River Lift Span, and the Queens Approach to meet the latest NFPA 502 fire protection standards. At the fire department connections for the existing dry fire standpipe protecting the East River Suspension Bridge, bollards were installed to protect critical equipment.

The NYC Fire Department approached MTA Bridges and Tunnels to modernize firefighting capabilities on the RFK bridges and viaducts. The East River Suspension Bridge to Queens dry fire standpipe was installed circa 2016. RK-21 aimed to install dry fire standpipe systems on the remaining bridges and viaducts minus the Manhattan Plaza and Manhattan Ramps – which will be addressed under RK-65B and RK-23. A fire vulnerability study also identified the need for further protection at the existing standpipe’s fire department connections (FDCs).

Our scope included design services for the installation of new dry fire standpipe systems on the Randall’s Island and Ward’s Island Viaduct, the Junction Structure, the Bronx Kills Crossing, the east approach of the Harlem River Lift Span, the Queens Approach and Queens Viaduct, and the installation of bollards at the fire department connections for the existing dry fire standpipe protecting the East River Suspension Bridge. New dry fire standpipe systems were constructed on the Northbound and Southbound Randall’s Island and Ward’s Island Viaduct including the exit ramp to Ward’s Island, Randall’s Island Junction Structure including the Bronx to Manhattan interchange, Northbound and Southbound Bronx Kills Crossing, Eastbound and Westbound Harlem River Lift Span from the East Tower to the Manhattan Toll Plaza, and the Northbound and Southbound Queens Approach to the East River Suspension Bridge. New protective pipe bollards were installed for the existing Fire Department Connections at the existing Dry Fire Standpipe System on the East River Suspended Span, and new protective pipe bollards at all new Fire Department Connections. New identification devices and field painting was completed for the existing dry fire standpipe system on the East River Suspended Span. This project also included the maintenance and protection of traffic (MPT), the design, construction, and removal of temporary access platforms for the installation of standpipe systems. Third party inspection, testing, and commissioning was completed in coordination with the Engineer and New York City Fire Department (“NYFD”, “FDNY”, or “Fire Department”). The abatement of lead-containing materials was performed in accordance with Sec on 02081-DB, Incidental Lead Abatement in Part 7, Prescriptive Specifications.