Netcong Fire Company No. 2 Lift and Stair

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The project was to provide a new handicapped accessible lift and new covered access stair to the exterior of the existing fire house to allow full accessibility to the second floor. The existing stair was not code conforming and had an unsafe railing. It also used industrial grating which was not safe for high heels. The decision was made to upgrade and provide conforming access to alleviate these issues, and to also to allow the upper level of the fire house to be an accessible emergency shelter for the public.

A structural steel platform and stair with code conforming guards and railings was designed to allow a safer run of stairs to the upper level. The open grating was replaced with high-traction galvanized metal grating to provide grip in all conditions. The stair and platform both have a roof to allow people to use the stairs without being fully exposed to the elements.

The second major part of the design is the exterior handicapped lift. A new unique structural steel support system and foundation was designed to allow the lift to be installed free-standing next to the new covered upper level platform. This allows the unit to be installed away from the building in a preferred location. The lift is a fully enclosed unit that now allows someone to get to the second level while being out of the elements.

This was a publically bid project which required shop drawing and product reviews, verification of payment applications, project coordination, progress site visits, detail modifications, and creative problem solving as required during the process.