REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 12, 2017
FROM: KERRI L. DONIS, Fire Chief
Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Under the provisions of Administrative Order 3-3 governing Sole Source vendors, approve a Purchase Order in the amount of $96,700 to LN Curtis to replace hoses that are delaminating.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended Council approve a purchase order to LN Curtis in the amount of $96,700 to replace hoses that have developed delamination issues and also replace hoses that are near the end of their useful lives. Due to the urgent need to replace these hoses, LN Curtis will be able to provide the replacement hoses within a short period.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department recently became aware of delamination issues in apparatus hoses. Delamination involves the separation of the inner liner from the outer jacket. The department conducted widespread testing on all apparatus hose and determined that the delamination issue was at various stages among its aging hoses. Delamination in hose poses a great danger during emergencies. The hose may malfunction and under increased water pressure may burst causing severe injury to a firefighter.
The Fire Department immediately requested quotes from current hose supplier, LN Curtis and the cost for the total needed hose was $228,700. Due to the eminent danger and risks at hand, the department was able to procure $131,011 via administrative means as allowable under Administrative Order 3-2 governing emergency purchases. The department is requesting approval for the remaining $96,700 from the same supplier In order to keep the type of hose standardized, which is particularly important for hose repair or full and partial replacement.
BACKGROUND
During recent training sessions, instructors discovered that many hoses were delaminating. Delamination involves the separation of inner liner from the outer jacket of the hose assembly. When this occurs, friction due to the turbulence of water within the hose reduces the flow of needed water supply. This also poses a dangerous situation when a pumper attempts to pressurize the hose and a restriction occurs. The hose can burst and firefighters can get severely injured. The Fire Department conducted a widespread inspection of fleet and removed hose that exhibited the delamination problems. This created an emergency need to replace these hoses and other hoses that are near or beyond their useful lives which may soon face the same issues.
• All 50’ lengths of 5” LDH hose were pulled from rigs due to delamination resulting in reliance on limited 25’ lengths of hose when making connections to hydrants or using an extra 100’ which takes additional time and space. , This is less efficient and unacceptable for emergency operations.
• 12 apparatus are carrying compliments of large diameter 5” hose (LDH) that are 200’ short of what is needed.
• Entire reserve hose pool of LDH consists of 3-100 foot lengths. This means if any hose is damaged or contaminated, we will not be able to outfit our apparatus with hose we use on a regular basis.
• 4 apparatus are using 2 ½” hose that is beyond its service life of 10 years.
Accordingly, it has become extremely necessary to replace these hoses using a vendor that will provide the hoses immediately and without present or future delamination issues. LN Curtis is the current supplier of hose for the department; therefore the department is requesting council approval for the $96,700 from the same supplier in order to keep the type of hose standardized and expedite the purchase of emergency hose.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The approval of a purchase order is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
This hose purchase of $228,700 will come from General Fund carryover proceeds. .