HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.a. Declare emergency re DAF tank malfunctionBoard Meeting Date: May 2 2013
Subject. DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND RATIFY THE GENERAL MANAGER'S
ACTIONS UNDER PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE 22050 TO DIRECT
CASE /COTTER, INC., D.W. NICHOLSON CORP., AND DISTRICT
FORCES TO PERFORM EMERGENCY REPAIRS ON A DAMAGED
DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION (DAF) TANK
Submitted By. Initiating DeptJDiv.:
Craig Mizutani, Senior Engineer Plant Operations
REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDED FOR BOARD ACTION:
Dave Robbins - Provisional Plant Maintenance
Division Manager °
K. Alm C. Swanson
Counsel for the District Provisional General Manager
ISSUE: A Declaration of an Emergency by the Board is required for the General
Manager to perform emergency repairs under Public Contract Code 22050(b).
RECOMMENDATION: Declare an emergency and ratify the General Manager's
actions under Public Contract Code 22050, and as authorized in General Manager
authority Resolution 2011 -065, to direct Case /Cotter, Inc., D.W. Nicholson Corp. and
District forces to perform emergency repairs on a damaged Dissolved Air Flotation
(DAF) tank located in the Treatment Plant, District Project 7265, Treatment Plant
Equipment Replacement project.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: The cost of the repairs is estimated to be $65,000 to $85,000.
There are sufficient funds in the contingency account of the Treatment Plant Program
of the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) for these repairs. Allocation of this amount is
within the authority of the General Manager.
ALTERNATIVES /CONSIDERATIONS: Perform repairs under non - emergency
procedures using a traditional bid process.
BACKGROUND: The District uses three dissolved air flotation (DAF) tanks, installed in
approximately 1986, to thicken secondary sludge. On Friday, April 19, 2013, during
graveyard shift, operators performing rounds noticed that the center drive of DAF tank
No. 1 was turning, but the float collector arms were not. Upon inspection, it was
discovered that all six arms had completely sheared off from the center drive
mechanism and were piled up on the float beach or had sunk to the bottom of the tank.
Operations began feeding polymer to the secondary sludge to allow continued
operation with the two remaining DAF tanks. No violations have occurred as a result of
the tank failure.
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POSITION PAPER
Board Meeting Date: May 2, 2013
subject: DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND RATIFY THE GENERAL MANAGER'S
ACTIONS UNDER PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE 22050 TO DIRECT
CASE /COTTER, INC., D.W. NICHOLSON CORP., AND DISTRICT
FORCES TO PERFORM EMERGENCY REPAIRS ON A DAMAGED
DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION (DAF) TANK
Upon inspection of the tank, it was discovered that there was damage to the baffle and
float collector arm support track in addition to the arms. The support track was cracked
in two locations and failed due to apparent metal loss due to wear.
The original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Case /Cotter, Inc. was contacted and
Steven Olson of Case /Cotter inspected the tank on April 22. Prior to the inspection by
Case /Cotter Inc., General Manager Curt Swanson and Board President Jim Nejedly
inspected the damage. Mr. Olson confirmed that the cause of the failure was due to
metal loss along the track, causing the float arms to contact the baffle and
subsequently fail.
Mr. Olson and Plant staff noted that the remaining DAF tanks, which are the same age,
are likely in similar condition and could suffer a similar failure. If another tank were to
fail, the treatment process would be severely compromised. Therefore, it is imperative
that repairs be made as soon as possible. Using a traditional Bid process would delay
the repairs and put the treatment process at risk. The OEM has the original, proprietary
design information for the equipment and therefore can fabricate the new components
rapidly. Furthermore, utilizing the OEM for supply of the new components (sole source
purchase) ensures compatibility with all three DAF tanks. Following repairs, the other
tanks will be inspected as soon as possible.
The estimated cost of the repairs is $65,000 to $85,000. Staff will advise the Board of
the actual repair cost at the Board meeting.
Case /Cotter Inc. will provide the replacement collector arms and installation and startup
services. Repairs to the steel baffle and support track will be made by District forces
and D.W. Nicholson Corp. who are currently under contract with the District for
construction of the Treatment Plant Piping Renovations, Phase 7 project, DP 7298
(DAF work will be performed under a change order to this project).
Funds for the repairs will come from the contingency account of the Treatment Plant
Program of the CIB. This fund authorization is within the authority limits of the General
Manager.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION: Declare an emergency and ratify the General
Manager's actions under Public Contract Code 22050 to direct Case /Cotter, Inc.,
D.W. Nicholson Corp. and District forces to perform emergency repairs on a damaged
DAF tank, District Project 7265.
N; IADMINSUPIADMINIDIST- SEC1Position Papers120131PP- Declare Emergency -DAF Tank Malfunction 5- 2- 13.doc