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Twin Cities Police Headquarters
Completed Construction/Grand Opening 2012
Larkspur, CA.
Slab on Grade Building resting on Piles
12,500 sq ft footprint
Challenge: In 2010, the "twin cities" of Larkspur and Corte Madera (Northern CA) were finally ready to start construction of their new state-of-the-art Police Headquarters, but building site sat directly on a closed landfill. Terra-Petra was contracted with the project architect to design a code compliant "active" methane gas detection system for the building. This in itself was not a great challenge for us, however, while reviewing the plans we discovered that a "passive" methane gas venting plan had been designed by another firm. We felt there was an opportunity for significant modifications to this design that would allow for a more efficient and cost effective installation.
Resolution: Terra-Petra proposed a "peer review" design of the passive methane gas mitigation system on behalf of the architect. The design engineer felt that this was a reasonable request and agreed to the review. We took no exceptions to the impermeable methane barrier membrane and venting materials specified by the engineer, however, due to the proposed foundation design we suggested alternative details for routing the horizontal vent pipe and terminating the membrane system under the building (among other comments). The design engineer not only accepted our peer review comments, but also decided to contract with us directly to serve as their methane mitigation consultant. Working together we developed a new set of details that would provide for a more efficient installation. It also reduced the number of mobilizations by the installing contractor, minimized coordination with other trades, reduced the amount of vent pipe and membrane to be installed by 20% and provided an overall cost savings to the project. Terra-Petra has since formed a professional relationship with this engineering firm and together we have completed a second soil gas mitigation design. This new building opened for business in January 2012 (construction started in the fall of 2010).
Playa Vista Fire Station 67
Los Angeles Playa Vista Methane Zone Level II
Slab on Grade
10,593 sq ft footprint
Challenge: Playa Vista has been a political and environmental hotbed. Due to many factors, the codes and regulations for this particular area of the City require buildings to have the most comprehensive methane mitigation and detection systems of any known jurisdiction, anywhere in the world.
Resolution: Terra-Petra was able to design and implement an approved system that incorporated every aspect of the code-required design; a methane barrier membrane, passive and active mechanical ventilation, hardscape venting, electronic gas detection inside the structure with online data logging capabilities, alarm system and subslab vaults for periodic monitoring. These systems had to be designed in a manner that wouldn’t prove to be a nuisance for the fire man working at this station.
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