SOUTHWICK – The fire sprinkler project at the Southwick Public Library has been officially completed. The project was finished on Sept. 30 and the library officially opened back up to the public on Oct. 11.
The project started on July 12. The cause of the project was due to a failing fire sprinkler system that the library had. The piping was too thin and caused leaks in the ceiling that have been occurring for the last three or four years.
Cogswell Sprinkler Co. out of Worcester contracted the project and put in a whole new fire sprinkler system. While the budget for Cogswell was initially estimated anywhere from $130,000 to $140,000, the actual cost of the project ended up being just around $118,000.
The main installment that Cogswell did was replacing the library’s current dry system with a wet system. The dry system had air leaks and the change was only necessary.
“They had to upgrade them,” said Bob Johnson, the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the Town of Southwick.
Once the wet system was put in place, Johnson had the Southwick Fire Department run a test throughout the building. They checked the sprinklers and set off the fire alarms to make sure they properly went off.
The Southwick Public Library officially opened back up on Oct. 11 after the fire sprinkler project was completed. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
A flow test was also conducted to flow water into the pipes and fill the entire system.
At the start of the project, Bill Fern headed the project, as he filled in as the interim Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the Town of Southwick until Johnson was completely ready to begin his position as the supervisor.
In a Westfield News article from July 29, according to Fern, there would be no leaks for 20 years and beyond once the new fire sprinkler system was installed.
Several associated with the project noted that this was a much needed priority for not only the library but for the Town of Southwick, to ensure that the employees and members of the community that enter the library are indeed safe.
“It’s an important improvement from a life safety issue,” said Karl Stinehart, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Southwick.
Johnson is planning on meeting with Southwick Public Library Director Diane Caruso as they will go over a list of minor things that need to be fixed in the library as a result of the project.
Now that the library is back open to the public, Johnson is satisfied that the project is finished and the library can resume its regular operating routine.
“It was a problem that needed to be addressed,” said Johnson. “I think everybody’s happy to have it open.”
