Walgreens-CS 971112 P,O. Box 478
Coppell, Texas 75019
,../~i The City With A Beautiful Future 214-462-0022
November 12, 1997
Pete Roth
Higbie Roth Construction Co.
P.O. Box 27701-339
Houston, TX 77227-7701
RE: Walgreens
Dear Mr. Roth:
The purpose of this correspondence is to bring to your attention a situation that has developed with the
construction of utilities for the referenced project. During the final walk thru, it was discovered that an
open right tapping valve had been installed on the six inch fire line serving Walgreens. The City of
Coppell system currently has only open left valves. This item was included on the punch list of things
to be corrected prior to final acceptance.
Subsequent to the final walk thru, Darrell Hood with Casteel Automatic Fire Protection, Inc., has
requested a copy of our specifications that call for an open left valve. While we do not have a
requirement for an open left valve in our specifications, that does not change my opinion that the valve
should be replaced. However, under these circumstances, I can not in good conscious hold up the
progress of the project or delay the scheduled opening of Walgreens. I do, however, feel obligated to
make Higbie Roth, Walgreens and Casteel aware of my reasons for concern.
Leaving this one and only open right valve in a system where all other valves open left creates at least
the potential for disaster. For example, if a technician attempting to repair the double check should begin
disassembling the double check thinking the water is off, when in fact it is on, the technician could be
seriously injured. A greater danger would be if a leak occurs in the area and all the valves near the leak
are closed. After the leak is repaired all the valves would then be opened. Someone attempting to open
this valve left would assume that the valve is already open. If that should happen, the interior fire
protection system as well as the exterior fire hydrant would be off. If this scenario should occur, the
water could be off indefinitely and substantial damage could occur should a fire happen.
My request at this time is that before a final decision is made on whether this valve stays in or is replaced
all parties involved seriously consider these possibilities. Thank you so much and I await your written
response.
Michael A. Martin P.E.
Assistant City Engineer
cc: Casteel
Walgreens
Dowdey Anderson
Garreth Campbell