Replacement of fire protection system at Kingston City Hall

The fire protection system at Kingston City Hall needed a full replacement to meet modern safety standards. Having installed the original system in 1972, our team was contracted a second time to remove the outdated piping and upgrade the sprinkler and standpipe systems.

Due to the historical significance of Kingston City Hall, a heritage-designated building, the work had to be carefully planned and executed to ensure minimal disruption while maintaining compliance with preservation guidelines. Additionally, City Hall remained fully operational throughout the project, requiring extensive coordination with municipal offices, the fire department, and the public. 

Work included removal and replacement of fire protection piping throughout the building, installation of new sprinklers, and the addition of a new water main large enough to service the upgraded system. Andre Construction conducted demolition, plaster repair, scaffold, hoardings and painting.

The Challenges 

The project presented a number of complexities and logistical constraints:

• City Hall remained open to staff, public services, and political gatherings throughout the project.

• Work had to comply with heritage preservation regulations, ensuring minimal impact on the structure and aesthetics.

• Due to City Hall’s busy schedule, certain construction activities had to be completed outside of normal working hours to prevent disruptions to municipal functions.

• Proper access and egress routes had to remain available for building occupants and emergency responders.

• Most system tie-ins had to be completed in a single shift to maintain fire protection coverage at all times.

• The existing water main was insufficient for the new sprinkler system, requiring an unplanned infrastructure upgrade.

• The project required continuous communication with various municipal departments, such as the Fire Department.
  
  

The Solutions 

To ensure City Hall remained operational during demolition and installation, our team developed a phased construction plan that would accommodate City Hall meetings and gatherings, and allow for access to the public. Prior to starting work, advanced notice of the schedule was given to areas such as the payment center, legal offices, mayor’s office, etc., so that work could progress without delays. Andre Construction scheduled critical work such as system tie-ins during off hours and on weekends to prevent downtime and minimize daily disruptions. 

It was also imperative that fire protection remained active at all times throughout the project. We put temporary measures in place during transitions and coordinated closely with the fire department to make sure proper emergency access routes were always available. As an additional measure, we self performed the strategic placement of scaffoldings and hoardings to allow safe movement for staff and visitors, and to preserve the building’s historical elements.

Andre Construction self-performed demolition to ensure the project adhered to the strict schedule. Following demolition, specialized plaster repairs were made to maintain the building’s historical aesthetics. 

We then proceeded to replace the sprinkler and standpipe system from the water entry to the building, including sprinkler/standpipe headers and risers, isolation and check valves, zone control assemblies, backflow preventer, and standpipe hose switches. Inspections and quality assurance checks were made at every step to ensure compliance with safety and building codes.

After installation was complete, we discovered that the existing water main was insufficient for the new sprinkler system. Despite the unplanned upgrade, Andre Construction successfully added a new water main with enough capacity to service the new fire protection system. New piping and valve installations were coordinated with city engineers to meet local safety codes.

With fresh infrastructure in place, we connected all new devices and switches to the existing fire alarm circuits. These tie-ins were completed in a single shift so that City Hall was never without fire protection. The successful completion of the Fire Protection System Replacement at Kingston City Hall resulted in a fully upgraded and compliant fire protection system, and enhanced safety for occupants and visitors for the foreseeable future.

This project highlights Andre Construction’s expertise in managing high-complexity projects in operational environments, ensuring that safety, functionality, and historical preservation are upheld throughout the process.