Comments on: Where have you gone, SunCal

By: usucksuncal

usucksuncal — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:57:37 +0000

SunCal’s M.O. is to go fast, ask people for favors, tell their contractors and consultants that the change orders for additional work they have requested is held up in SunCal’s “process”, then tell their contractors and consultant that they are waiting for the loan “draw”, then stiff their contractors and consultant for the work that they have done because of their lender. If you deal with the devil hopefully you make a lot of money up front…..Yes they will screw over the public and the City if given the chance.

By: David Kirwin

David Kirwin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:50:30 +0000

To clarify my previous post:
Did they get the fire alarm system working correctly? I saw the accidental fire alarm test last week when the smoke detectors were activated by a worker sweeping. I had been in the library when I heard the temporal code of a fire alarm and thought perhaps City Hall had a problem. I walked up the block and realized it was the theater project. I thought they were testing so I walked up to learn more. Then AFD rolled up, and I learned what happened and what cause the alarm.

The fire code says smoke “Detectors SHALL NOT be installed until after the construction clean-up of all trades is complete and final”. (NFPA 72 chap. 5.7.1.11). This “nuisance alarm” would have been avoided had the contractor adhered to the Fire Codes. Personally I do not understand the choice of smoke detectors instead of heat detectors in the public parking garage. Dust or visible exhaust will set off “photo” smoke detectors, and invisible products of combustion will set off “ion” smoke detectors. There are many reasons why heat detectors are the most common form of automatic fire detection initiation devices.

The alarm horns seemed to exceed legal max, NFPA 72 - 7.2. My Code book is the old 2002 edition, but I recall they lowered total sound level limit to 115 db including alarms and ambient noise, -includes construction tools and equipment.

There were no strobes activated, (They are required by NFPA 101 Chap.9.6.3.5)

And when AFD responded, they noticed that the elevator ‘capture’ did not work either. See NFPA 72 c. 6.15.3 (elevator recall) and 6.15.4 (elevator shutdown)

I though maybe the garage did not pass the occupancy permit inspection requirements.

By: David Kirwin

David Kirwin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:46:39 +0000

Considering its great cost to us why wouldn’t I want to use the parking garage? True, I believe it is a really bad plan, but we do need more parking. Got use what you have – right?
I first tried to park there last Friday night. Did they get the fire alarm system working correctly? I saw the accidental fire alarm test last week when the smoke detectors were activated by a worker sweeping. (That’s why the fire code says smoke detectors SHALL not be installed until after all phases of construction, including clean-up, are completed. The alarm horns seemed to exceed legal max, there were no strobes activated, and when AFD responded, they noticed that the elevator ‘capture’ did not work either. I though maybe the garage did not pass the occupancy permit.

By: Barbara M

Barbara M — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:51:46 +0000

David,

You can start parking there tomorrow. I am not quite sure but it did have something to do with securing it on the top to the construction next door. Anyway I know you won’t be excited to try it but it will be available.

By: David Kirwin

David Kirwin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:24:39 +0000

I missed the grand opening og the parking structure last month. Did they really celibrate its opening? I still wonder when it wil really be open - you know - so the public can park there.

Does anybody know why it is not yet open to the public?

By: Mark I

Mark I — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:38:54 +0000

Lauren,

It’s more than one community meeting. Were you planning on blogging about SunCal’s six month delay on the entire process?

By: Stan

Stan — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:12:18 +0000

They are probably back in Irvine trying to figure out who to sue next and whom to blame for their problems.

By: Alameda NayTiff

Alameda NayTiff — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:39:35 +0000

“the parking garage is set to open on time, with the grand opening celebration slated for January 31st at noon, but the festivities start at 11:30ish with live music and then the Mayor and Councilmembers will enter the parking garage in a procession of alternative fuel vehicles. Is it too much to hope that one of the councilmembers will bring up the rear in a bicycle?”

http://tinylink.com/?xiB5UaNqgX

By: Jack Richard

Jack Richard — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:29:20 +0000

Can we park in the parking structure to watch the parking structure festivus?

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:17:26 +0000

Sorry; that should’ve been Measure A NON-compliant plan.