As part of my ongoing ID1 project, which involves redesigning street furniture, I discovered that San Francisco has a massive, redundant firefighting network called the Auxiliary Water Supply System, or AWSS. The 1906 Earthquake was most devastating due to the fire that resulted in the aftermath. Hundreds of breaks in the water mains forced firefighters to pump sewer water and cisterns to fight the fires. Eventually, many resorted to shovels and explosives in a vain attempt at creating fire breaks.
The AWSS consists of a network of high pressure fire hydrants, hooked up to reservoirs located at various elevations. The largest of these is the 10.5 million gallon Twin Peaks reservoir, which with all gates open can deliver several hundred psi of water pressure to the downtown area. This is insurance against the possible failure of the regular hydrants hooked up to water mains.
In the event the high pressure hydrants are not enough, two diesel-powered pumping stations located can deliver water from the bay directly into the city. The city’s two fireboats also have the ability to pump water into the city through various manifolds along the piers.
The Fire department also maintains a system of underground cisterns as a last resort measure against the failure of the various AWSS systems.
The recent passage of Proposition B in June, 2010 will allocate several hundred million dollars to the retrofit of this system.
An anachronistic relic easily seen on many street corners are San Francisco’s fire alarm boxes. Many may think that these are obsolete in the digital age but they are in fact an important part of the infrastructure of the city. When the next big earthquake strikes (60% probability within the next 30 years according to the USGS) phone lines and cell phone towers will most likely be destroyed. The paint-encrusted fire alarm boxes, however are all independently powered by underground wiring and have direct connection to the emergency switchboard of the city, whereas even with service, cell phones will most likely encounter the busy signal for several days.
As part of my project, I will be redesigning a fire hydrant, fire alarm box, and cistern cover. How might I make these lowly and rusty pieces of street furniture stand out and show how important they are in the context of our city’s emergency preparedness?
The Japanese decorate their manhole covers with designs from animals to castings of city symbols and emblems. An excellent way to make life a little more colorful.
No comments:
Post a Comment