32A-152 (12) TO : CHIEF PASSA
DEPUTY CHIEF DRISCOLL
BUILDING INSPECTOR
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
FROM : CAPTAIN STEVE CORBETT
DATE : 6 DEC 97
RE : LP GAS VIOLATIONS AT 5 - 7 STRONG AVENUE
527 C1YR 6. 08: (1) (A) NO FIRE DEPARTMENT PERMIT WAS
FILED FOR LP GAS STORAGE .
527 CMR 6. 07 (5) (a) LP GAS WAS USED AND STORED ON THE
SECOND FLOOR . EVENTHOUGH THE HABITATION WAS IN THE
ADJACENT BUILDING I AM NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF
CONSTRUCTION SEPARATES THE BUILDING SINCE THEY BUTT
EACH OTHER . PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING ON THE OPPOSITE WALL
FROM WHERE THE PROPANE TANKS WERE LOCATED .
527 CHR 6. ,06.- (1) NO OWNERSHIP OR EMERGENCY MARKINGS ON
THE LP TANKS .
NFPA 3-4. 3. I MUST HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THESE LP TANKS IN THE BUILDING WHILE
THE PUBLIC IS IN THE BUILDING .
CO( PPM) Maximum - 565 @ ISAC Dec . 06, 97
Minimum = C"' @ 11 : 36 Dec . 06, 97
H2S (PPMI Maximum 3 @ 18140 Dec. 06, 97
Minimum 0 @ 1IL36 Dec . 06, 97
02M Maximum 21 . 5 @ 18 :OS Dcc, 06, 97
Minimum 1- . @ W139 Dec , 06. 97
LELM r Maximum 4 @ 18 : 19 Dec. 06, 97
Minimum 0 @ 11136 Dec . hi;., 9
Comment ::
~
CO
(31 C51
co
CD
Ul
/
USER DEFINED CODES
NORTHAMPTON FIRE DEPT.
FDID ;INCIDENT NO. ;EXP.NO. 'MO ;DAY ,YEAR ;TIME
;15214 ; 971808 ;00 '12 ;06 ;97 17 : 56
*
*-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
1. FIRE/EXPLSION ;2. OVERPRES/RUPT
� 1 �
---------------------------------------------------------- ---',
3. RESCUE/EMS ;4. HAZARD. CONDT
;CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD 7 6
----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------'
5. SERVICE CALL :6. GOOD INTENT
I 1 ,
1 1 I
_ ________________
I?. FALSE ALM/CAL '3. NAT DIS/MISC
i
9. HAZMAT LEVEL ;10. WATER USED
I 1 i
* .---------_...---------------------- -___-------- ------------------------------------------ --
'
'
REMARKS
NORTHAMPTON FIRE DEPT '
For incident : 971808 Exposures OO DATE, 12/06/97 TIMEL 17 :56
. .
WE RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE MANAGER OF THE MEZZA
LUNA RESTAURANT, WHO SAID THE OIL BURNER REPAIR PERSON
ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A CHEMICAL ODOR'
UPON ARRIVAL CAPTAIN HURLEY WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A |
STRUNG ODOR IN THE BATHROOMS. A CREW ENTERED THE BATHROOMS '
WEARING AIR PACS. THEY FOUND HIGH C. O. LEVELS IN BOTH
BATHROOMS. THE LEVEL OF C. O. WAS ABOVE 100 PPM' A FURTHER
CHECK OF THE BUILDING FOUND HIGH LEVELS OF C. O. IN THE |
BASEMENT ( ABOVE 40 PPM. ) AND EXTREMELY HIGH LEVELS NEXT TO '
' |
THE BOILER THE HAZ MAT OFFICER (CAPTAIN CORBETT) WAS CALLED
. |
TO THE SCENE ALONG WITH THE BUILDING INSPECTOR. A FURTHER
CHECK OF THE BUILDING REVEALED PROPANE HEATERS BEING USED TO
DRY JOINT COMPOUND ON THE SECOND FLOOR' THE PROPANE HEATERS |
WERE THE CAUSE OF THE MISM C U LEVELS AND ODOR IN THE /
C. O. |
BATHROOMS BELOW. THE C. 0' LEVELS IN THE BASEMENT WERE
PARTIALLY DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY FITTING FLUE PIPE FROM THE
BOILER WHERE IT ENTERS THE CHIMNEY.
WHEN HIGH LEVELS OF C. O. WERE FOUND THE RESTAURANT WAS '
|
EVACUATED AND THE FURNACE WAS SHUT DOWN ALONG WITH THE TWO
|
HOT WATER HEATERS' THE PROPANE HEATERS ON THE SECOND FLOOR
WERE ALSO SMUT DOWN' THE BUILDING WAS AIRED OUT USING SMOKE
EJECTORS. ONE PERSON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA |
AMBULANCE DC CHEVERETTE '
�*^*******^***�**^^*********^�*******�^***°***^**�^ |
�
Z (CAPTAIN CORBETT) ARRIVED ON SCENE ABOUT 1815 HRS. I TOOK
MEASUREMENTS WITH THE TMX 412 METER IN THE BASEMENT. WHEN
THE NATURAL SAS FURNACE CAME ON ALL THE PRODUCTS OF
COMBUSTION POURED INTO THE BASEMENT INSTEAD OF THE FLU PIPE
INTO THE CHIMNEY. THE METER READ 981 ppm CO THEN MAXED OUT
| AT 1000 ppm CO WHICH I5 THE LIMIT OF THE METER' IT I8
'
POSSIBLE ACTUAL READING WAS MUCH HIGHER. THE BOILER IS
ABOUT 400, 000 BTU' S. THE TWO HOT WATER HEATERS ARE ABOUT |
166, 000 BTU' S COMBINED.
'
, ' \
�
TWO 100 POUND PROPANE TANKS WERE FOUND ON FLOOR TWO
\
CONNECTED TO HEATERS' THE METAL HEATERS WERE ON THE WOODEN
FLOOR' THERE WERE HIGH READINGS (ABOUT 175) ON FLOUR TWO'
THE SECOND FLOOR WAS WELL SEALED AND THE WINDOWS WERE SHUT
AND THERE WAS POOR AIR EXCHANGE IN THE AREA' |
|
IT APPEARED THAT THE RESTAURANT WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN AN
UPPER AND LOWER LEVEL OF CARBON MONOXIDE' THE PLUMBING
INSPECTOR AND BUILDING INSPECTOR WILL BE AT THE BUILDING ON
MONDAY IN THE A' M' |
S CORBETT '
______________________________________________________________
Page 1
MASSACHUSETTS FIRE INCIDENT REPOR`t
Department of Public Safety Office of the State Fire Marshal �d�,' DEC 5
1010 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02215 ;`
10 FDID# DEPARTMENT Revised i H�p,ri �JRM ;a
A 15214 NORTHAMPTON FIRE DEPT - Report 2 ante M �„°W ' .. _.
Incident# If Exposure Date Day of Alarm Time Arrival Time Back in Serv.
971808 Fire Only: 00 12/06/97 Week: Satrday 7 17 : 56 17 : 58 20 : 12
Type of Situation Found Type of Action Taken Mutual Aid
B CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK 4 8 Remove hazard 4 1 Rec'd
2 Given
Fixed Property Use (Occupancy) Ignition Factor N\A
C Restaurant 16 1 Undeterm/not reported 0
Correct Address Zip Code Census Tract
D 7 STRONG AVE_ 01060 821902
11 Occupant Name (Last,First,Mi) Telephone Room or Apt.
E MEZZA LUNA ( ) —
12 Owner Name (Last,First,Mi) Address Telephone
F DIPAOLA, ROBYN 96 RUSSEL ST HADLEY ( 413 ) 584-8000
13 Method of Alarm from Public Co. Inspection Shift No. Alarms
G 587 1030/587 1031 1 District E—3 A 1
No. Fire Service Personnel No. Engines No. Aerial Apparatus No. Tankers No. Other Vehicles
H Responded 5 Responded 2 Responded 0 Resp. 0 Responded 0
Hazardous Material Yes Substance Special Equipment Used?
Present? X No
20 FIRE Number of Number of Number of Number of
I SERVICE Injuries Fatalities OTHER Injuries 1 Fatalities Rescues
Mobile Property Type Vehicle 1 Yes Estimated Total
J Stolen? 2 X No Dollar Loss
Insurance Co. Total Insurance Claim Paid
30 Year Make Model Color License: No. VIN#(Serial No.)
40 If Equipment Involved Year Make Model Serial No.
In Ignition
Complex Area Of Origin Equipment Involved in Ignition
K
Form of Heat Ignition Form of Material Ignited Type of Material Ignited
L
Method of Extinguishment Level of Fire Origin Number of Stories Construction Type
M
N
0 Extent of Flame Damage Extent cf Smoke Damage Detector Performance Sprinkler Performance
G
IF SMOKE SPREAD BEYOND Form of Material Generating Most Smoke Type of Material Generating Most Smoke
0 ROOM OF ORIGIN
WEATHER Avenue of Smoke Travel
R CONDITIONS
Entries contained in this report are intended for the
sole use of the State Fire Marshal. Estimations and
evaluations made herein represent "most likely" and
MEMBER MAKING REPORT DATE "most probable" cause and effect. Any representation as
to the validty or accuracy of reported conditions out-
DANA CHEVERETTE, DEPUTY CHIEF 12/06/97 side the State Fire Marshal's office, is neither
intended nor implied.
FIRE MARSHAL
F.M. 1 Yes 2 No
r y ,
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
• L M• COMPANY
ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
330 Whitney Avenue,7th Floor • Holyoke,MA 01040 Tel.:413-535-5060 FAX:413-535-5001
March 12, 1998
a
Anthony Patillo a
Building Commissioner � 1 3119%
Zoning Environmental Office
212 Main Street FFEP 0f B1 111
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: Miriam Green vs. Mezza Luna
D/A: 12/6/97; Claim # (not assigned)
Dear Mr. Patillo:
A.I.M.Mutual Insurance Company is the worker's compensation carrier for Mezza Luna
Restaurant located at 7 Strong Street, Northampton, MA.
Our insured informed A.I.M.Mutual that on December 6, 1997 employees of Mezza-
Luna were exposed to carbon monoxide. While it is my understanding that Ms. Green
is the only employee transported to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital via ambulance that
evening, several other employees received oxygen outside of the restaurant from
EMT's that arrived at the scene. Further, Ms. DiPaola, President informs me that your
office is one of several that has conducted an investigation into this incident.
I am requesting a copy of your report as well as copies of any test results and
photographs taken that evening or thereafter. A.I.M.Mutual will be responsible for
payment of your usual charge for such a copy.
Should you have any questions regarding this request, please call me directly.
Sincerely,
t � +
Dorothy Tat ian
Regional Claims Manager
11 North Avenue P.O.Box 4070 Burlington,MA 01803-0970 Tel.:617-221-1600/ 800-876-2765 FAX:617-270-5599
222 Berkeley Street,Suite 1300 P.O.Box 763 Boston,MA 02117-0763 Tel.:800-782-6929/617-262-1188 FAX:617-262-7543
90 New State Highway,Raynham,MA 02767 Tel.:508-821-3100 FAX: 508-821-3570
255 Park Avenue,9th Floor Worcester,MA 01609 Tel.:508-754-7005 FAX:508-793-7828
SPONSORED BY ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF MASSACHUSETTS
Incident Report
April 6, 1998
Northampton Fire Department called me to the scene of Mezza Luna Restaurant for a
report of high levels of carbon monoxide in the women's bathroom. The bathroom had
been closed and aired out by the time I arrived at the scene. Deputy Chief Hurley indicated
that the readings he had upon arrival were 433ppm.
A test was conducted in which the furnace in Forbes Synder was run while readings were
measured in the bathroom. The bathroom has a brick wall that was exposed during
renovations of the restaurant and is adjacent to chimney that serves the furnace for Forbes
Snyder. The levels of CO were elevated the closer the meter was to the wall indicating
that the source of CO appears to be coming from wall. The levels were measured in the
shwashing area immediately next to bathroom and no detectable levels were
found except in women's bathroom.
The women's bathroom was closed to the public.
Previous history of this situation is as follows:
I" call to this location was Saturday December 13, 1997. High levels of CO were
detected in the women's bathroom. At this time it was discovered that construction
workers renovating the floor above were using propane heaters to dry drywall joint
compound and was determined that the tanks were located directly above the bathroom
and that CO had seeped through openings in floor and entered into bathroom. The furnace
room in basement of mezza luna also had high levels of CO. The flue pipe entering the
thimble also was not grouted tight and was very loose fitting. Mezza Luna hired a
contractor to grout the thimble and patch holes in ceiling of furnace room and install a
door closer on furnace room door.
2nd call Mon. December 8, 1997 Delivery trucks were parked in rear near kitchen, door
was open and high readings were detected in dishwasher area immediately adjacent to
open door, Trucks were told to shut engines off, COklevels returned to normal.
3rd call December 13, 1997. High levels of CO were detected in women's bathroom.
Plastic sheeting was installed to cover exposed brick in bathroom. The bathroom was
cleared and aired out so that levels of CO were normal. The furnace was turned on in
Forbes Synder and CO meter was placed so that readings could be taken in the area
behind plastic, the readings immediately went off the scale for CO (above 300ppm).
Forbes Synder was informed of this and had furnace serviced by Bay State Gas. The
furnace was serviced by Bay State on Monday Dec 15a' . Forbes Synder also contacted a
chimney contractor who looked at chimney and informed him that the chimney was lined
from the thimble up and that the mortar in the clay liner was"cooked" meaning the mortar
was crumbling and not tight at the seams of clay liner. There were no more calls for CO
after furnace was serviced until Sunday April 5, 1998.
..:c.aY.+-r...aa u.E.+.:.u:...may. ..-,M.r.n.. yyy •...L.x:,.... Wr�.[{iRi!✓.iY:R'.i1r1%'iSw.' .
1
I have researched Mezza Luna and have concluded that the only source for the high
carbon monoxide readings in the women's bathroom is your chimney and furnace. The
problem must be corrected. A contractor should be contacted to analysis how to seal
your liner and chimney to prevent and gases from escaping before they reach the top of
chimney.
Please contact this office within 10 days to let us know how you intend to correct the
problem. If you have any questions please call me at 587-1240.
Sincerely,
Anthony Patillo
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
CC: Deputy Chief Bill Hurley,Mezza Luna
0
Mme,
�gNwMP�
e GrZt� of Warfhauiptan Z
$ � �lassRChusctts -
�e
DEPARTMENT OF BUILD12,TG INSPECTIONS
INSPECTOR 212 Main Street • Municipal Building '`>e
Northampton,MA 01060
April 9, 1998
Forbes Snyder Business Products Inc.
15 Strong Avenue
Northampton, MA 01060
Subject: Carbon Monoxide hazard to Mezza Luna Restaurant
Dear Mr. Brinkley,
The Northampton Fire Department has called me to Mezza Luna restaurant several times
in the past few months with the reports of elevated readings of carbon monoxide within
the restaurant . I have enclosed a log of my visits to the scene. The investigation that I
have completed indicates that the source of the high readings of carbon monoxide that
have occurred within the ladies bathroom at Mezza Luna are coming from the furnace
located in the basement of your property. The contributing factors that allow this to
happen are:
1. The furnace in your basement is connected to a chimney which is lined with a
clay tile liner that starts at the thimble of your furnace and extends to the roof.
The liner is in poor condition, the mortar that was used to connect the
individual sections of the clay liner has deteriorated and no longer provides a
tight seal. This condition allows carbon monoxide which should vent out and
up the chimney to escape from the linen. The brick chimney is also in poor
condition, the mortar is also deteriorated*.o that there are gaps allowing the
gases to escape from both the liner and chimney.
2. The woman's bathroom in Mezza Luna is directly adjacent to the chimney
serving your furnace. Under certain atmospheric conditions there is a negative
pressure which makes it harder for gases to escape from your chimney. When
this occurs the porous condition of the liner and chimney allow gases to be
drawn into the building. The bathroom at Mezza Luna was renovated during
construction and the plaster that was covering the wall in the bathroom was
removed to expose the brick, unfortunately the plaster provided a barrier to the
existing condition of your chimney and with it removed the carbon monoxide
had a clear path to enter the bathroom. The fan in the bathroom contributed to
this by drawing air from the room for ventilation and with the porous
condition of the wall and your chimney and liner carbon monoxide was
introduced into the bathroom.
it would be assumed that the problem was caused internally
at Mezza Luna Restaurant.
In Andrew Church' s professional opinion after an internal
inspection on April 9, 1998, of the chimney with lights and
mirrors, he suggested the liner should be replaced to
eliminate any possibilities that Carbon Monoxide gases could
escape from our chimney. Any future incidents of Carbon
Monoxide gases in the Restaurant would be caused by
inadequate air movement or circulations created by the
equipment and circumstances within the Restaurant.
Very truly yours
Lester G. Brinkley
President
LGB/ah
cc : Deputy Chief Bill Hurley, Mezza Luna
�fl
S� 5.7 STRONG AVE.
BUSINESS PRODUCTS INC. 300 TYLER S0 W.M PT 1-800-222-4064 413-5 4
NORTHAMPTON,MA 01061.1269 PITTSFIELD,MA 01201 NORTHAMPTON FAX 413-584-4116
(413)584.7072 (413)443-9027 PITTSFIELD FAX 413.448-2280
April 16, 1998
F
City of Northampton AM I 7
Dept. of Building Inspections
212 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
ATTN: Anthony Patillo
Subject: Carbon Monoxide
Lear Mr. Patilio:
This letter is in regards to your letter dated April 4 ,
1998, providing notification that the Carbon Monoxide gas
incidents causing hazardous conditions at Mezza Luna
Restaurant, 5 Strong Avenue, was contributed in part from
the chimney in the common wall between Forbes Snyder
Business Products and Mezza Luna Restaurant. The chimney
from your investigation requires installation of a new
liner to prevent gases from escaping from the chimney due to
the porous conditions of the present chimney liner.
A contract has been negotiated with Andrew Church, D.B.A.
Chimney Saver of Western Mass . , to remove the existing liner
and replace it with a new liner and to repair the chimney as
required. This work is scheduled to commence on April 17 ,
1998 with a completion date of April 20, 1998 .
I would like to call your attention to the Incident Report
dated April 6, 1998, Situation #3 December 13, 1997 ;
indicating high levels of Carbon Monoxide detected in the
women' s bathroom of Mezza Luna Restaurant. Forbes Snyder
did contact. Andrew Church (Chimnev Saver of West. Mass . ) ,
since in your opinion the chimney was not lined and gases
were leaking from the chimney. However, after the chimney
was inspected on December 15, 1997 and in Mr. Church' s
opinion, the chimney was lined and the only problem that was
determined from this inspection was that the chimney above
the roof level needed to be rebuilt, but no immediate
urgency was required since he did not believe the Carbon
Monoxide gases were coming from our chimney. Arrangements
were made to have the chimney repaired in the early spring.
Approximately 4 months lapsed between the incident in
December and the incident in April before Carbon Monoxide
gases were detected in Mezza Luna Restaurant. This time
period was the coldest time of the year and the furnace was
running more frequently than any other time of the year.
However, no incidents occurred during this time period and