This project included the design and build of a new flagship navy exchange (NEX) and multi-level parking garage in Bethesda, Maryland. The 160,00 square foot NEX facility is a mixed use occupancy and includes Mercantile, Assembly, Business, and Storage occupancies. The 180,000 square foot garage is classified as Storage occupancy.
The NEX is protected throughout with automatic fire sprinklers. The local water supply was not sufficient to support the sprinkler system demands. A new electric fire pump was designed and installed to boost the available pressure. The garage is protected with a dry manual standpipe system.
The NEX and garage is equipped with fire alarm and mass notification systems. These are voice evacuation type systems used to warn occupants of fire or other impending danger. The systems are addressable intelligent systems with pull stations, strobes, speakers, smoke detectors, microphone stations and various other devices and appliances.
FireLogix Engineering, Ltd. filled the role of Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) for this project. As the FPE of record the firm was responsible for fire protection and life safety on the project. In this role FireLogix designed the fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire pump, and standpipe systems. In addition the firm was responsible for code consulting on building code and the life safety code for the project. As part of this role FireLogix prepared code summary reports and life safety plans to ensure that the building construction and layout complied with applicable codes and standards.