Los Angeles Air Force Base Fitness Center

Author

Colin White, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

Date

6-2017

Degree Name

MS in Fire Protection Engineering

College

College of Engineering

Advisor

Frederick Mowrer and Christopher Pascual

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the life safety features of the Los Angeles Air Force Base Fitness Center, located on Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. This report is produced in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Master’s of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the Fire Protection Engineering Program at California Polytechnic State University’s San Luis Obispo Campus. This analysis approaches life safety in the fitness center from two angles. First, a prescriptive approach is used to evaluate the building’s compliance with current codes and standards that govern construction and maintenance of federal facilities. Four major areas are evaluated prescriptively. Each area is represented by a core code or standard against which the building is measured. Structural fire protection systems are evaluated first. Standards for structural fire protection are codified in the International Building Code and other various standards. Next, life safety is evaluated using NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code as the standard. Third, fire detection and notification systems are evaluated against NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code as well as NFPA 70 – National Electric Code. Finally, fire suppression systems are evaluated against the provisions of NFPA 13- Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The next portion of this report evaluates the building from a performance-based standpoint using the provisions of Chapter 5 of NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code and supplemented by the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering and the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook. This performance-based approach evaluates the building against two fire scenarios designed to challenge all of the buildings fire protection elements. A medium growth sauna fire and an ultra-fast growth polyurethane foam fire are used as scenarios.