Okemo Mountain

Challenge

A mountainside condominium development, originally built in the 1970s, lacked adequate fire protection due to the removal of hydrants that had once been connected to the on-site water system. These hydrants were taken out of service after the system was found to lack the water storage capacity required by state standards. The project presented a unique challenge due to the site's mountainous terrain, with steep slopes and proximity to a ski mountain complicating design and construction. The Town of Ludlow now requires the property owners to expand the fire protection system to meet fire department requirements and enhance overall safety within the development.

Solution

Our team provided consulting engineering services to design and permit the proposed expansion of the existing fire protection system. We performed a file review and evaluated the existing surface water pond volume and the extent of the existing fire protection water main. Based on our review of available documents, we confirmed that the existing surface water pond had adequate water storage to provide required fire flows. We conducted hydraulic model simulations at varying pond water levels to review the performance of the proposed fire protection infrastructure expansion. Modeled results indicated that once proposed water pipe expansions are completed, the system will meet the requirements of NFPA 1142 and provide required flow rates for firefighting.

The results of our investigation and subsequent proposed expansion were provided to the Ludlow Fire department who accepted the proposed upgrades. Field meetings with the fire chief confirmed desired hydrant locations and anticipated operating pressures.

Results

The project is permitted and actively under a construction contract and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2025.