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October 24. 2013
JACOB SMITH ENGINEERING & DESIGN
To: Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
Town of Northampton
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: The Academy of Music Fire Escapes
274 Main Street
Northampton MA 01060
Mr. Hasbrouck:
Due to the time required for all pertinent parties to review the proposed new fire escape design that I
have previously produced for the address specified above. It seems likely that after the bidding process, shop
drawings, fabrication and galvanization the new fire escapes would be ready to be installed around January
2014. Installing the new fire escapes in cold weather can adversely affect the quality of the concrete and the
bond strength of the typical all-thread rod epoxy adhesive that is specified on the structural contract
documents. It is my recommendation that the bidding process, shop drawings, and fabrication commence over
the colder months and the instillation of the ready-to-install new fire escapes could be performed in the spring
when the average temperature is well above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is my determination that the temporary repairs performed last February on the remaining three fire
escapes will be sufficient to provide safe emergency egress until they can be replaced in the spring of 2014.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Jacob �it Epgineering and Design
By , l�c,,�.,��QQ
/ Jacob F. Smith, P.E.
8 COATES AVENUE; SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA 01373
jacob@jacobsmithengineering.com
VoicE 413-397-3441 FAX 413-665-1142