VIPOND FIRE PROTECTION WAS AWARDED THE CONTRACT TO INSTALL FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN THE LIBRARY OF PARLIAMENT - CANADA'S MOST HIGHLY RECOGNIZED HERITAGE BUILDING

 

National Library of ParliamentVipond Fire Protection - Ottawa Branch was the contractor selected for the design and installation of both the temporary and new sprinkler systems in the Library of Parliament. The building dates back to 1859. It is considered Canada’s most highly recognized heritage building and is a national treasure.

Now, a century and a half later, it is undergoing a conservation, rehabilitation and restoration program. The work and materials have been designed with the intent of lasting for fifty years.

The complex design involved architects, engineers, heritage and government personnel, and took almost four years to prepare.

The inside rehabilitation includes complete refurbishment of the existing building and the addition of a mechanical room to be excavated thirty feet below the structure. This in itself was a challenge as the excavation consisted of solid rock that had to be removed using mining techniques.

The outside rehabilitation of the stone requires 10 levels of temporary structural scaffolding enclosed by a special fabric to shelter both workers and masonry during varying weather conditions. This scaffolding is protected by a temporary sprinkler system on each level that is fed through a dry Siamese connection. The inside also has numerous levels of scaffolding that is protected by a temporary pre-action sprinkler system to avoid accidental discharges.
 
National Library Reading Room
Library Reading Room
Due to the age, heritage status and reuse of the existing book stacks within the building, the design and installation of the Fire Protection Systems has presented many challenges in co-ordination with other trades. The handcrafted wood on the outside of the book stacks located in the reading room was partially removed to allow workers to remove the existing system and install the new sprinkler pre action system, as well as new mechanical and electrical services.

The work started three feet outside the existing stone foundation with two 8” water services. The water services supply a 750 usgpm fire booster pump that pressurizes four standpipe risers, three pre action systems and seven wet pipe sprinkler systems.

 
Galvanized Fire Sprinkler Pipe and Sidewall Sprinkler Head
Galvanized Fire Sprinkler Pipe and Sidewall Sprinkler Head in Library Book Stack
The new sprinkler systems consist of galvanized schedule 40 pipe fitted with threaded fittings. The mechanical room is supplied with a wet pipe system, while the two levels of book storage and the reading room (including three levels of book stacks) are protected by pre action systems. The three levels of outer ring offices, storage and meeting rooms are fed by over fifty vertical risers from the lower mechanical room. The pipe risers were fitted between the rock wall and the new drywall partition. Some areas required trenching and coring of the rock wall in order to install the pipe and quick response sidewall sprinklers.

Due to the complexity and high profile nature of this project, Vipond Fire Protection takes great pride in their part of this prestigious heritage building's restoration.

For more information on the Library of Parliament rehabilitation project, visit their web site at www.parliamenthill.gc.ca, “A Treasure to Explore” – Library of Parliament and view “work in progress photos and video”.
 

For additional information visit their web site at: www.vipondfire.ca
 
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