Fire Alarm Incidents at 900 Marshy Cove

To: all Owners at 900 Marshy Cove,

This has been a stressful week for residents at 900 Marshy Cove.

Despite our best efforts, things happen.

 

Wednesday, November 24, 5:00 AM.

 

A circuit breaker that was connected to the air compressor in the attic popped. The air pressure in the system  dropped and triggered and alarm. The alarm sounded for almost an hour before the fire marshal arrived to silence the alarm. 

Normally, the fire alarm system sends an automated to a fire monitoring service. The monitoring service determines the seriousness of the incident and calls the fire company.

 

So, what happened? Our fire alarm system did telephone a message to the monitoring service. However, the service had a problem at their end and did not see it.  They should have received a low air pressure warning well in advance of the alarm; but, they did not. Of course, they were also unaware of the evacuation alarm.

 

Saturday, November 27, 12:05 PM

 

ARK, our fire system service, was notified of some problems and arrived around 11:00 PM.

After they left, at 12:00 AM, the alarm sounded. This time the monitoring service alerted the fire marshal and the alarm was silenced upon their arrival.

Ark returned around 1:00 AM to assess the situation.

As a precaution, Sentry arranged for a fire watch.

 

So, what caused the alarms? The compressor was short cycling which caused an inrush current higher than normal. That caused the breaker to pop. After that the air pressure dropped. Bingo! Alarm party in the lobby.

Ultimate Cause: The pressure switch on the compressor that controls the cycling of the compressor failed.  We expect the replacement parts on Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

In the meantime, we have a fire watch patrol on the fourth floor.  Note that all unit sprinkler heads are operational. Only, the attic is affected. There are smoke detectors in the attic that are connected to the main fire system which provide a degree of protection.

 

George B

mc900@comcast.net

Condo News, November 15, 2021

 HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS PARTY:

 

Saturday, December 18, 4PM-6 PM

·      Beazer has announced plans to build 57 townhouses in Deep Harbour in the next 2 ½ to 3 ½ years. They will begin near the Cedar St. entrance in December 2021. The DH board presidents plan to meet with Beazer shortly.

 

·      Pet Policy Applications have been distributed. Pet Registration is due by January 31, 2021.

 

·      Our Voluntary Safe Key program will be launched this week. From are available on each floor.

·      Please remember to check the Receiving Room for your packages.

Projects on the docket: waiting for service providers

·      Refinish benches

·      Refinish front doors

·      Repair handicap push button outside

·      Fix broken parts in elevator no 2

Upcoming projects:

·      Hallway and Lobby Carpet Cleaning – Spring 2022

·      Expansion Tank Inspection Program – Starts November 10

·      Hallway lighting upgrade- 2022

·      Meeting Schedule for 2022

·      Service providers contact list

Questions?  Comments?

   mc900@comcast.net       http://900marshycove.blogspot.com/

Thank You, 900 Marshy Cove Board of Directors

So, What happened on Wednesday Evening?

 All,

Incident: Wednesday, November 3, 2021; 7:25 PM - 7:30 PM

Three teenagers took a fire extinguisher from the marina, discharged it on several parked vehicles. They also turned on lights on a power boat in the marina.  No other vandalism was observed or reported.  A police report was filed.

Here’s is my short report. 

(This was sent to the DHMA Board of Directors on Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:44 PM)

• I received a call from a 900 resident reporting a siren at the marina. The resident thought that a boat alarm was sounding.
• I went down to the fire safety box at slip 48. The door was open and the fire extinguisher was gone. The siren is local and does not trigger a call to any other system. It goes off when the door is open. The red light flashes and The siren will activate.
• I closed the door and the siren and flasher stopped.
• As I walked around the building toward Seaway, I was looking for some evidence that the extinguisher was discharged. I always assumed that some kids were into mischief as it happened several years ago.
• As I walked around the building, one of our residents was coming out to walk his dogs. I gave him a brief description of events.
• On his own he walked around the marina to discover and notice that the slip 43's motor boat’s lights were on.
• As he walked around the creek side of the building, he noticed white extinguisher dust. He then called me. 
• He and I walked the marina west ward toward the creek. When we approach slip 43. We saw that every power switch was turned on and showing green. He got on the boat and turned off the circuits on the boat. No evidence of any damage was observed. We called the owner. 
• We continued to walk the Riverwalk.  White dust was observed on the front of about six vehicle covering grills and windshields.
• Continuing toward Cedar St, more white powder was evident. Nearer to Cedar St., the spent extinguisher was found in the rain garden.
• Mike S., and Carlos E. joined us. A call was placed to the Cambridge Police. The CPD officer arrived within 10-15 minutes.
• I went to the surveillance recorder to capture video of the incident.
• The recordings revealed that three youths entered the marina running at 7:25 PM from the East side. Two were shorter followed by a taller teenager.  The second one may have been a girl, the other appeared to be boys. All three were wearing hooded sweatshirts. The second one appeared to have a full face covering white Halloween type mask on.
• The tallest of the three stopped by the fire extinguisher box and  opened the door. The siren and flasher went off. He casually walked away. The others were out of camera range and probably on the boat.
• The tallest teenager walked back to the box, and removed the extinguisher.
• He then ran off toward the creek. He then started to discharge the extinguisher. On the cameras that face the 900 parking lot, clouds of powder can be seen. It is hard to see anymore than silhouettes and clouds of dust. The distance (~ 300 Ft) and darkness limit detailed observations.
• Unfortunately, I was unable to capture a recording of their egress or entrance to Deep Harbour. Four entrance camera recordings were reviewed starting at 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM. (They kids may live here in DH.)
• Video clips will be passed on to the Cambridge Police
• The actual incident lasted about 5 minutes. No permanent damage is known at this writing. The fire extinguisher will need to recharged. 

George B. – DHMA Safety and Security Committee

900 Marshy Cove 

Cambridge, MD 21613

deepharbour@comcast.net

http://deepharbourmd.blogspot.com

Marina Fire Extinguisher box with extinguisher