Q: Regarding a comment made by John of LBA, can you explain what a Category 3 EOC is (reference time stamp 48 minutes 25 seconds on the PFAC video recording for the August 2nd meeting)? 

A: To clarify any misunderstanding regarding this issue, what we meant was that a Community/Training/Multipurpose Room can be designed as an IBC Category 3. If the space is labeled and being used as a local or regional Emergency Operation Center (EOC) we suggest that being an IBC Category 4 rated space.  The Community/Training/Multipurpose Room would have similar amenities and IT/AV and Telecom to an EOC function, providing flexibility. IBC Category 4 construction brings with it additional costs due to more stringent structural and mechanical/electrical systems requirements. 

Q: I assume EOC, based on the reference is Emergency Operation Center;  what are the characteristics of a Category 3?  What other categories exist (1, 2, 4, 5?) and how does a category 3 measure up to those categories (design and operations and, therefore, initial as well as forward looking cost)?

A: At this early stage it is difficult to assess the cost of fortifying the existing building or building new.

Q: What are the design and operating assumptions for a category 3 and are those represented in the space numbers of the draft reviewed at that meeting?  What are the cost premiums associated with those operating assumptions (space requirement, facility needs (e.g., power, communications, physical space, etc.)) that otherwise wouldn't be necessary if we did not assume category 3?  

A: If the community decides to go with the most hardened facility that could continue to operate fully stand alone with fire-rated protection on all critical systems, we can say that there will be significant cost increases. At this early stage we cannot put a cost on those items. We first have to come to the conclusion as to what and where.

Q: How is the decision to construct a category 3 (vs. an alternative) reviewed and made?

A: We understand that this is a very circular process of weighing costs and operational integrity of the facility. At this stage we focus on the spaces and sizes, this determines square footage and program requirements. Then we begin to run models of new build v reno., separation of critical and non-critical spaces. This process could result in a facility that has some portion built to Risk Cat III, while others are built to Risk Cat IV.

Q:  In order for the PFAC and residents to have a comparison to measure New London’s police department space needs, for the following three local communities (which all have full dispatch in their police departments), what is the number of full-time officers (not part-time, dispatch or administrative), the gross square feet of the building in which the police department is housed, and the total gsf allotted to the dispatch function.

A: This would be an extensive effort based on the information above. You would need to look at each space and understand how it functions and why it is the size it is. One Chief may like a small conference table for 2 in their office and another may have 2 guest chairs in front of their desk. Different approaches yield different square footage. Performing a simple office to square footage will be a disservice to the Town.

Q:  What is the average gross square footage of space per full-time officer for all towns in New Hampshire, and, separately, for towns with a population of 5,000 or less?

A:  This is not something we should focus on. It is misleading and not specific to New London. Does every family with two parents and 3 children have the same square foot house? What if someone in the family is physically challenged and needs wider halls, corridors or doors? What if I work from home and need a large office space? The committee is best served by looking at the individual spaces and their size based on the use.

Q:  Are there standards for space needs as to each function, office, or use for police stations set forth in the International Association of Chiefs of Police standards (IACP)?

A: To be more accurate we should not use the term “standards”. IACP offers Design Guidelines on its website at www.theiacp.org/police-facility-planning-guidelines . These guidelines are updated from completed projects based on information from the design teams as to how they addressed new and evolving policing practices.  

Q: If so, please provide the citation as to where each and all of those standards are set forth so that the PFAC and residents can review those standards. 

A:  Agencies, design professionals and project teams are responsible for assessing the specific departments operations, technology, calls-for-service, special services such regional tactical team, or in the case of New London regional dispatch. When a facility includes a regional dispatch area that space and the significant support and technology space will increase the total square foot of the building, thus skewing any consideration for SF/sworn office.

Q:  Are there national standards for space needs as to each function, office, or use for police stations?  If so, please provide the citation where those standards are set forth so that the Police Facilities Advisory Committee (PFAC) and residents can review those standards.

A:  Colliers Project Leaders (CPL)  is not aware of any specific “national standards. There are best practices for general areas and more specific requirements for areas such as holding, booking, detention, and evidence.

Q: Regarding the question asked at the last PFAC meeting on what communities are being referenced in developing the New London police building space program, can you please list the communities in answer to this question? Also, can you list the towns referenced in developing the dispatch center space needs?

A:  To reference similarities between New London and any other community would be to provide incomplete and misleading information. Without understanding why are particular department required a certain amount of square footage is not helpful in understanding the needs of New London. Just like no two families live in the same size house, no two police departments operate in the same program space. To simply state what was good enough for Lincoln or Bedford would be a disservice to the New London community.

While many communities have dispatch centers and/or regional dispatch centers, how New London’s operates is different. The public is best served by understanding how and why the department is requesting the spaces they are.

These types of facilities are not cookie cutter. There are certain standards and codes that are applied across the project and some areas where “best practices” and recent “lessons-learned” are applied.

We cannot and should not get hung up on what worked for some other community.

Q: There was discussion about how to accommodate the Police Department operations under the scenario where it is decided to renovate the current facility.  One option not raised at the meeting was renovations while the Police Department remains there (i.e., not temporarily relocating them).  This is a viable alternative that should be considered and whose financial impact should be weighed against the other options.  Experts have reinforced the viability of this approach and the Mires study included estimates that accommodated that scenario. 

Multiple folks with experience in renovations have indicated it is possible to segment the work and, during some phases, work at night to successfully complete the work while operations are underway.  Examples of that type of effort are numerous, whether it is at the local grocery store, at hospitals, or in other large organizations whose facilities are renovated.   My personal experience with renovations of office space, critical operations centers and critical telecommunication facility conversions all support the viability of renovations taking place while operations continue.

A: The option of performing a major renovation and or addition to the existing police facility while remaining operational will be considered.

The programming process that is ongoing will serve to provide the basis for the future needs of the Police and Regional Dispatch.

Understanding that a lot has changed since the previous studies were conducted, we will also provide a comparison to advise on differences.

Secondarily, the team will provide a review of the Buker Buildings ability to withstand such a major renovation as would be dictated by the building code requirements.