POLB Fireboat Station No.20: A State-of-the-Art Facility for Firefighting and Emergency Response

Abstract: As one of the busiest and most diverse ports in the United States, the Port of Long Beach (POLB) handles containerized cargo, cars, crude oil, hazardous materials, and cruise ships. Consequently, it faces one of the most diverse ranges of potential hazards in the nation. To enhance port safety and ensure business continuity, POLB has constructed the new Fireboat Station No. 20 at Berth D50. This state-of-the-art facility comprises a LEED Gold-certified two-story Fireboat Station Building and a 75-foot-tall Boat Bay to harbor the new fireboat. Fireboat Station No. 20 is more extensively equipped than a neighborhood fire station due to the need for both landside and waterside response capabilities. The concrete masonry station building is supported on a pile foundation and houses six on-duty staff and two fire trucks. The covered Boat Bay comprises a steel portal frame supported on a concrete wharf, along with a floating dock to support fireboat operations. The facility integrates technologies for fireboat operations, such as state-of-the-art communication systems, ship-to-shore power, ventilation systems, and vessel maintenance equipment. Construction of the new facility started in March 2021 and was completed in December 2023.

Berth D50, situated at one of POLB's oldest berths dating back to the 1920s, has undergone significant alterations over time. It features a grouted-rock gravity quay wall constructed in 1953, with remnants of the original 1920s timber wharf posing challenges for pile installation. The quay wall has extensive underwater voids at the seabed level that required extensive repairs.

The facilities' design was driven by the operational demands of the fireboat while meeting the stringent California Building Code and POLB Wharf Design Criteria requirements. This paper addresses the multifaceted design challenges encountered, including seismic resilience, sea level rise, subterranean obstructions, existing quay wall stability, oil pipelines conflicts, low-impact development, and permits and agency approvals. It delves into the strategies employed for selecting and designing key components, such as the building structure and foundation, the Boat Bay roof portal frame and wharf, underwater quay wall repairs, LEED initiatives, floating dock, fireboat maintenance equipment, utilities, drainage system, and low-impact design initiatives.

How does this project / topic contribute to the advancement of the industry and profession?: This project provides a unique perspective on the design and construction of a crucial waterfront facility tailored to accommodate the operational demands of a fireboat while meeting stringent design code requirements. The project provides a framework on how to design a building structure supported on a marine wharf. Furthermore, the project highlights the importance of thorough pre-construction investigations and specification preparation. Through the early identification and mitigation of potential construction challenges such as staging logistics, underwater repairs, pile installations, and conflicts with underground utilities and buried structures, project success can be significantly enhanced.

Does the project / topic implement new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods?: The project integrates several innovative strategies and technologies:

Sustainable

Design: Utilizes stormwater treatment BMP, green housekeeping for building, fireboat shore power, and repurposes a 75-year-old quay wall.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) - CFD modeling was performed to assess the effectiveness of the natural ventilation in the Boat Bay for fireboat exhaust.

Sea Level Rise (SLR) Considerations - The design of the Boat Bay structure considered potential sea level rise.

Elevated Deck Floating Dock: A concrete dock with a raised steel platform met the 6-feet freeboard requirements.

Underwater Repairs – Remote Operated Vehicles minimize diver exposure in hazardous conditions, aiding inspections.

What was the most challenging aspect of your project / topic and how did you handle it to ensure success?: The project faced three primary challenges: underwater repair of the existing quay wall, Boat Bay structure design, and subterranean obstructions.

For underwater repairs, cement bags to seal void openings in the quay wall were employed. Grout was then pumped through PVC pipes with ball valves for controlled inflow/outflow.

The Boat Bay structure features a three-hinge steel portal frame spanning 75 feet, supported by a concrete wharf.

To address subterranean obstructions like the buried 1920s-era wharf, techniques such as probing and pre-drilling for pile installation were used, mitigating potential conflicts.

Who is the target audience for this paper?: The target audience for this paper includes professionals, vendors, contractors, and stakeholders involved in the design, construction, and management of waterfront facilities, particularly those with expertise or interest in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, marine engineering, port management, and construction contracting.