CityCenterDC

CityCenterDC offers many superb fire safety features that in combination provide excellent fire protection. These can be placed into four (4) categories:

1. Prevention
2. Detection
3. Notification
4. Control

PREVENTION:

Fire-resistant construction materials used at the buildings:

• Fireproofed structural steel.
• Stone and glass walls.
• Concrete floors.
• Ceilings are fire-resistant mineral fiber suspended on metal supports.
• Stairwells are two-hour rated.
• All building mechanical and electrical functions are located in separate closets or rooms on each floor.
• There is an on-going Property Management Program that functions to continually remove items that could be hazardous.

DETECTION:

1. The common areas and service corridors of the Office Buildings are equipped with both automatic smoke and heat detectors and manual alarm pull-stations. There are two types of smoke detectors: the ceiling-type smoke detector and the duct-type smoke detector.
2. The ceiling-type detector is located in the electrical rooms, the passenger elevator lobbies, the service elevator lobbies, and the Air Handling Unit (AHU) rooms. In addition, detectors are located in the main electrical switch gear rooms (Level PH), the elevator machine rooms (Penthouse), and the Garage elevators.
3. Smoke from any other space is drawn into the duct type detectors, located in all mechanical rooms on Levels C1 through the Penthouse level. The duct-type detectors will sense smoke and stop the air handling unit to prevent the distribution of smoke throughout the floor. At the same time, they will activate the fire alarm system.
4. When activated, the smoke detectors and the heat detectors initiate a fire alarm.
5. Manual fire alarm stations, or pull stations, are located at the entrance to each of the fire stairwells and inside the stairwells. These stations are to be used when an individual notices a fire.

NOTIFICATION:

• Activation of either an automatic or manual device will transmit a visible and audible fire alarm at the Fire Panel that shows the affected zone, floor, and device. An enunciator panel in the Lobby will also show this information.
• An automatic device will:
  • Transmit an alarm to the appropriate security personnel who will in turn immediately call the Washington, D.C. Fire Department.
  • Sound the fire bells and flash the strobes.
  • A manual alarm will initiate the same response.

CONTROL:

1. The Fire Command Center (FCC), located on the Lobby Level.
2. Automatic Smoke Controls

• When smoke is detected in an office area:
  • Air Handling Units are deactivated on the incident floor.
  • Supply air is shut down to the fire area or floor.
• Sprinklers & water-flow systems:
  • There are two (2) types of automatic sprinkler fire suppression systems operating at CityCenterDC:
    • A Wet Pipe System for the Lobby through Penthouse levels and a Dry Pipe System for the areas subject to freezing (both Garage levels and retail areas).
      • The Wet Pipe System maintains water in the sprinkler pipes so that it is continually ready to suppress a fire.
      • The Dry Pipe System pumps water into empty sprinkler pipes within sixty seconds of activation.
      • Both systems are activated when a fire produces sufficient heat to melt a lead-fused link, a small mechanism in the cap of the sprinkler head. When melted, the sprinkler head releases water and suppresses the fire.
• The building also uses a standpipe system that enables fire fighters to connect their hoses to a water supply. The standpipe system is comprised of segments of the District’s water supply system known as mains, which are connected to risers, or vertical pipes. These risers extend from the Garage through the Penthouse.

OTHER SYSTEMS:

Standby Power System: CityCenterDC is equipped with a diesel-powered generator that is capable of carrying an emergency power load within 30 seconds of a general power failure. Transfer Switches enable emergency or normal power to be provided to the following portions of the Building:

The standby power system supplies:

1. Exit Lights.
2. Emergency Lighting (in office space, common areas, and stairwells).
   • When the generator starts, each elevator will automatically travel to the main Lobby Level, where it will open its doors and shut down. Cars will shut down one at a time. After all cars have moved to the main Lobby, one pre-selected car will respond to elevator calls.
   • The retail service elevator has a battery back-up system.
   • Fire Department emergency key switches, located in each car and in the Main Lobby, will activate an elevator car when turned on. However, only one car will operate at a time.

EMERGENCY PLAN:

• In recent years, the term “Life Safety” has been accorded new emphasis as it affects all aspects of our daily living. In order to keep pace with the hazards of our times and to offer a secure environment, concerned Property Managers and Owners have found it necessary to initiate certain protective measures.
• Thus, Hines Interests Limited Partnership has commissioned the planning and development of these Fire Emergency and Evacuation Procedures as an integral element of the Building.
• The successful execution of the Fire Emergency and Evacuation Procedures will depend upon the degree of confidence, cooperation, and coordination mutually achieved by the Fire Warden, Deputy Fire Warden, tenants, and the property management staff.

In that regard, each Fire Warden must exhibit an unselfish responsibility toward the common good, i.e., the safety of all occupants within the building. This can be achieved if senior management within each firm will:

• Assign responsible personnel to function as Fire Wardens and Deputies;
• Insist that the Wardens read and understand the Fire Emergency and Evacuation Procedures and Evacuation Plan in its entirely;
• Assure that applicable portions of this Fire Emergency and Evacuation Procedures are adequately disseminated to each of their employees;
• Allow Fire Wardens and Deputies to participate in periodic training sessions, so they are equipped to perform specialized emergency assignments; and
• Enthusiastically support the overall objectives of the Building's Fire Emergency and Evacuation Procedures.
• Tenants are encouraged to include specific emergency procedures applicable only to their individual operation, e.g., procedures to safeguard money, negotiable instruments, original contracts, etc.

EMERGENCY PERSONNEL:

Fire Safety Director (Property Manager):

• The Fire Safety Director’s primary responsibility is to coordinate and implement an effective evacuation of the Building's tenants in case of a fire, bomb threat, or other serious situation that requires evacuation. Further responsibility includes the preparation, monitoring, and implementation (with the approval and assistance of the Fire Department) of a training program for all members of the fire emergency team (including Floor Wardens), fire plan(s) of action, and records associated with emergencies.

Assistant Fire Safety Director (Engineering Manager):

• The Assistant Fire Safety Director is responsible for the effective implementation of the Evacuation Procedure and for the actions taken by the Building's Fire Brigade prior to the arrival of the Fire Department. The Assistant Fire Safety Director should assist the responsible Fire Department Supervisor in briefing, as to seriousness, location, and type of fire while explaining actions taken prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.

Fire Wardens (Assigned by Tenant):

• The Fire Wardens are responsible for implementing, in an orderly manner, an approved evacuation of their floor upon notification from the Building Fire Alarm System.

Deputy Fire Wardens:

• The Deputy Fire Warden shall perform in the absence of the Fire Warden or assist the Fire Warden in the event that both are present.

Fire Brigade:

• The Fire Brigade is comprised of all Building engineering personnel. Their responsibilities are preliminary fire-fighting procedures and implementing emergency plans as directed by the Fire Safety Director or Assistant Fire Safety Director.

FIRE SAFETY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART:

• FIRE SAFETY DIRECTOR - Office Buildings’ Property Manager
• ASSISTANT FIRE SAFETY DIRECTOR - Office Buildings’ Assistant Property Manager
• FIRE BRIGADE - Maintenance Engineers
• FIRE WARDEN - Appointed by Tenants for Each Floor
• DEPUTY FIRE WARDENS - Appointed by Tenants for Each Floor, to assist the Fire Warden

FIRE CODE COMPLIANCE:

• Each tenant's Leased Premises must meet and remain in compliance with applicable fire codes at all times. All proposed changes to the Tenant’s Leased Premises must meet applicable fire codes and must be reviewed and approved by the Hines Property Management Office in advance of the start of construction.

FLAMMABLE MATERIALS:

• No flammable or explosive fluids or materials shall be kept or used within the Building except in areas approved by the Retail Property Management Office, and the tenants will comply with all applicable building and fire codes related hereto. Requests to use such materials must be made to the Retail Property Management Office.

SPACE HEATERS:

The use of space heaters is not permitted at CityCenterDC:

• Space heaters can overload the electrical system causing tripped circuit breakers and loss of power to potentially critical business functions
• Space heaters can inadvertently cover or come in contact with combustible materials which may result in a fire.
• Space heaters can become a tripping hazard
• Space heater cords are subject to damage and constitute a fire and/or shock hazard
• Space heaters adversely affect the HVAC system by increasing the ambient temperature, which results in the system blowing more air to cool the space to the temperature set point
• Any space heater found will be confiscated and stored at the Retail Property Management Office. When a space heater is removed, it will be tagged with its location and a corresponding note left for the occupant so that they may retrieve it from the Retail Property Management Office. If the space heater is not picked up within 30 days, then it will be disposed of.

FIRE ALARM PROCEDURE:

• Sound Alarm by engaging the pull-station by one of the stairwell doors.
• Contact the Property Management Office, (202) 585-1700. Immediately describe the exact location, severity, and type of fire. The Fire Department is contacted by the fire alarm monitoring company upon receipt of an alarm.
• During non-business hours, the Property Management Office telephone will be answered by a Security Officer. Inform them of the exact location and severity of the fire.

FIRE DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE NUMBER... 911

• Fire Wardens should begin evacuation. If the fire is small enough to be controlled by fire extinguishers, use the hand-held chemical fire extinguishers that are located on each floor. Make sure that the fire extinguisher is the correct type for the fire. To operate the fire extinguisher, pull it from the wall and remove the locking pin. Point the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire and spray in a sweeping motion.
• Do not attempt to control the fire if it poses a threat to your safety.
• Communicate any specific fire information to Property Management Office or the Fire Department. Keep calm. Wait for further instructions on any designated refuge floor if one is announced.

FIRE DURING BUSINESS HOURS:

• Upon discovery or being notified of a fire, initiate the Fire Alarm by pulling the alarm pull station and begin the evacuation process.
• Call the Property Management Office at (202) 585-1700, immediately relaying the following information:
  • the EXACT location of the FIRE;
  • what is burning - electrical equipment or wiring, liquids, paper or wood, furniture, etc.;
  • the severity of the fire;
  • your name;
  • your phone number;
  • your location.
• The Fire Brigade will proceed to the scene with the Assistant Fire Safety Director to evaluate the fire and begin the extinguishing process.
• Fire Wardens and Deputy Fire Wardens are to start evacuation pursuant to evacuation procedures starting on page 30.

FIRES DURING NON-BUSINESS HOURS:

• Initiate the Fire Alarm by pulling the alarm pull station by the stairwell and begin the evacuation process
• Notify other employees located on the floor and evacuate the building, using the closest stairwell.

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