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24 FORT AVENUE - NATIONAL GRID VARIANCE REQUEST S McIntyre Engineering&Septic Services,Inc. 44 30 Elm Street Hopkinton,MA 01748 508-497-2374 RECEIVED Division of Occupational Licensure Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters JUL 10 2025 1 Federal Street Boston, MA 02110 CITY OF SALEM Attn: Plumbing& Gas Code Consultants July 7, 2025 BOARD OF HEALTH Subject: Variance Request—248 CMR 10.10(15)(c)(19) National Grid 24 Fort Avenue Salem MA Honorable Board Members: On behalf of National Grid, enclosed please find the following information for a variance request to allow use of a separate restroom building at an unoccupied electric substation where it is proposed to install a new equipment enclosure greater than 2000 square feet. The proposed enclosure is 2,240 square feet of which 1,270 square feet is an occupiable control room and the remaining 970 square feet is switchgear equipment. • Variance application • Application fee ($86) • Narrative of variance justification with attachments Should you have any questions or need additional information please let us know. Sincerely, Daniel McIntyre, P.E. cc: Joseph Vuto,National Grid Michael Dean, Salem Plumbing Inspector Salem Board of health Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure Board of State Board of Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters 1000 Washington Street* Boston * Massachusetts * 02118-6100 VARIANCE FROM STATE PLUMBING CODE PRE-INSTALLATION $86 00 application fee Payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts" DO NOT USE THIS APPLICATION IF PLUMBING WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY (Sectionl)APPLICANT INFORMATION: Applicant Name: Firm Name(if applicable): Date: Daniel McIntyre McIntyre Engineering & Septic Service, Inc, 7-7-25 Title or Position with Firm(if applicable): Type of Work: New Construction: Renovation: Street Address: City/Town: State: Zip Code: 30 Elm Street Hopkinton MA 01748 Cell Phone: Work Phone: Email: (508) 868-5424 1 (508) 868-5424 messcorp@aol.com ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE INITIALED. IF LEFT BLANK,THE FORM WILL BE DEEMED INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 1.1 have included with this application written documentation that the local Board of Health has been petitioned INITIAL BELOW regarding this variance request.*(Variance requests for City of Boston must include petition to Inspectional Services) Note:No Board of Health petition is required for buildings owned,used or leased by the State of Massachusetts. DM Board of Health copied on this application submittal 2.1 have included all necessary supporting documentation regarding this variance request. INITIAL BELOW DM 3.1 have included a non refundable check for$86.00 payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. INITIAL BELOW Note:No payment is required for buildings owned,used or leased by the State of Massachusetts. DM INITIAL BELOW 4.The unusual or extraordinary circumstance or established hardship that warrants special terms or conditions is clearly stated in(Section 5)on the second page of this application DM 5.1 understand that this variance request is for one instance at the location information stated in(Section 3) of this INITIAL BELOW application. DM INITIAL BELOW 6.1 certify that the plumbing work relevant to the information stated in(Section 5)has not yet been performed. DM * "Additionally,any response by the Board of Health or Health Department must be provided,however,the Board may waive this requirement so long as the petition was made in a timely manner." TEL: 617-727-9952 FAX: 617-727-6095 TTYITDD: 617.727.2099 http:/ANww.mass.govldpi/boards/pl (Section 2)OWNER OF THE PROPERTY WHERE THE VARIANCE IS LOCATED:(Please leave blank if information is the same as in Section(1)) Individual Name: Firm Name(if applicable): Joseph Vuto New England Power Company (d/b/a National Grid) Street Address: City/Town: State: Zip Code: 55 Bearfoot Road Northborough MA 01532 Cell Phone: Work Phone: Email: (203) 727-2416 1 (781) 907-1435 joseph.vuto@nationalgrid.com (Section 3)LOCATION OF VARIANCE:(Please leave blank if this information is the same as in Section(2)) Name of proposed or current occupier of the building: New England Power Company (d/b/a National Grid) Street Address: City/Town: Zip Code: 24 Fort Avenue Salem 01970 (Section 4)ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Plumber's Name(if available): Plumbing Firm Name(if available): Work Phone: Name of Plumbing Inspector: Date Inspector was informed of this Variance Request: Michael Dean 6-2-25 Plumbing Code Section(s)Relevant to this Variance Request: 248 CMR 10.10(15)(c)(19) Has Plumbing Work Begun at the Location of this Variance Request: Yes:0 No: E) Date Work Began: (Section 5)VARIANCE INFORMATION:(Please explain in detail the established hardship relative to this variance request) See attached narrative. I 0 By checking this box- I hereby certify under pains and penalties of perjury that the information entered on this application request, including supporting documentation,is true and accurate and is filed in accordance with Chapter 142,section 13 of the General Laws and 248 CMR,the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code. I certify that all work performed prior to this request for a variance meets the requirements of 248 CMR and that I am only seeking a variance for work that has not yet commenced. I also certify that I understand that this is a request for the Board to allow an exception to the requirements of the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code and does not constitute an appeal of an inspector's decision. 7-7-25 Signature of Applicant - Date: nationalgrid Narrative in Support of New England Power d/bla National Grid's Request for a Plumbing Variance for its Electric Substation Project at 24 Fort Avenue, Salem, MA New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid ("NEP") will be performing work at its existing Salem Harbor Substation No. 45 located at 24 Fort Avenue in Salem, MA to replace certain equipment that has reached the end of its' service life. As part of this project, NEP is proposing to install a 2,240 square foot equipment enclosure. The company is seeking grant of a variance from all applicable provisions of 248 CMR 10.00 to allow a restroom installation in a separate building from the proposed equipment enclosure as required by 248 CMR 10.10(15)(c)(19) for bathrooms at unoccupied facilities. For unoccupied structures which may require maintenance such as pumping stations, sub-stations, and similar type facilities, one unisex/gender-neutral restroom shall be required within the facility. Electric substations are comprised of more than just the enclosure structure. There is considerable outdoor equipment as well. The Salem Harbor facility is shown in Attachment 1. Although the term "facility" referenced in the Plumbing Code is not defined, NEP considers both the indoor and outdoor substation equipment as the substation facility. Under this definition the separate restroom building would be within the facility but given the vagueness of this term, the Company is seeking a variance. The equipment enclosure is comprised of an approximately 1270 square foot control room and 970 square feet of switchgear equipment. A drawing of the Salem enclosure floor plan, along with photographs of a similar switchgear enclosure, is provided as Attachments 2 and 3. Our opinion is that this type of enclosure would fall under the delegated authority policy for buildings under 2000 square feet because a portion of the enclosure is equipment. However, the Company will defer to the Board's opinion on the category of this enclosure. At Salem Harbor Substation, which has been in operation since the 1950's, there is considerable outdoor equipment of varying voltages as well as an existing control enclosure. Company technicians that periodically visit the site to perform inspections could spend as much time inspecting the outdoor equipment as is spent inside the enclosures. The distance between the proposed restroom building and the proposed equipment enclosure entrance is approximately 75 feet. The entrance to the existing control enclosure is also approximately 75 feet from the proposed restroom building since the two enclosures will built next to each other. A site overview plan is attached. Technicians do not report to an electric substation on a daily basis. In fact, National Grid's standard calls for bi-monthly inspections of these facilities. See attachment 6. The centrally located restroom building would be within the facilities fence enclosure and convenient to technicians visiting the facility regardless of where they may be within the facility. The equipment enclosure for this facility, due to long lead times for manufacturing of high voltage Page 1 of 2 nationalarn equipment, was ordered in 2023 prior to the Code change and is currently in manufacturing so a separate, centrally located restroom is the only alternative. For these reasons, the Company believes a separate restroom building is the best, and only. solution for this substation. The proposed restroom will be a modular precast concrete building with approximate dimensions of 11 feet by 12 feet. The building will be connected to City water and City sewer. Attached is correspondence with the Salem Plumbing Inspector and the building floor plan. The Board of Health and Plumbing Inspector have been sent a copy of this request. Attachments:1. Facility Site Overview Plan 2. Switchgear Building Floor Plan 3. Photographs of a similar equipment enclosure 4. Typical stand alone restroom building 5. Email correspondence with Salem Plumbing Inspector 6. Visual and Operational Inspection Policy Page 2 of 2 ti ti Y L • 1 � � Switchgear Enclosure Existing switchgear enclosure similar to Salem Harbor 1 Switchgear Enclosure q l- SwftcttMr EWIlwwt(qM sq.fW- —+ 'Control Equipment Room(1270 Sq.ft. 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Switchgear side Control room interior (Note Salem is a double wide switchgear with a center aisle Existing switchgear enclosure similar to Salem Harbor 3 Restroom Building 27-5' EXTERICR LENT 2 qIIDI'.TH - LEFT 3.SMOO7N DOOR Y1DTH SMOOTH . b - aaat � ELECTRIC PANEL 41 11 I '7 FRONT c _ - - - 0 BACK ,1 11 S-O'x G'-r b DOOR {/ FLOOR DRAM�ADA CO PLIANT �I TO OUT OF i W OUT OF TLOW SPACE DUIFDw Wret FRONT ELEVATION y' RIGHT FLOOR PLAN _ Salem Harbor 24 Fort Ave. Salem, MA M 4 Daniel McIntyre From: Daniel McIntyre Sent: Monday,June 2, 2025 2:25 PM To: mdean@salem.com Subject: National Grid - Salem Harbor Substation Bathroom Attachments: Salem Harbor Site Overview.PDF Mike, It was nice talking with you today. As discussed, National Grid is proposing upgrades to its' Salem Harbor Substation located at 24 Fort Avenue. As part of the upgrades, a second control enclosure will be installed. The overall enclosure size will be 28 feet by 80 feet(2,240 square feet). Approximately half of the enclosure will be comprised of high voltage switchgear while the other half, about 1100 square feet will house control, protection and metering equipment. It is this portion of the enclosure where a service technician will periodically visit. An unoccupied site with a building of this size requires a bathroom per the State Plumbing Code. The Company is proposing to install a separate restroom building. This substation primarily consists of outdoor equipment so a separate building would be more convenient to technicians inspecting the overall substation. The restroom building would be connected to public water and sewer. The restroom will be within 400 feet of both the proposed control enclosure and existing control enclosure and within the outdoor equipment yard. Attached is a substation site plan showing the proposed control enclosure and restroom location. A separate restroom building requires a variance from the Plumbing Board. You will be copied on that request. Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks. Daniel McIntyre 508-868-5424 i SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE Doc. #SMS 400.13.1 natl©nalgirld Standard Page 3 of 6 Visual and—Operational inspection V&O Version 1.1 —01/29/21 1_0 SCHEDULE 1.1 Bulk power stations and Massachusetts stations with worst performing feeders will have full V&O inspections completed bimonthly per SMP 400.13.2. 1.2 For non-bulk power stations and Massachusetts stations without any worst performing feeders, every other bimonthly inspection will be completed as a Substation Check as detailed in SMP 400.12.2 1.2.1 Substation Operations has the option to complete a full V&O bimonthly at their discretion. 1.2.2 In New York the top 5% worst performing feeders will be evaluated on a yearly basis and if a station is deemed to have station issues affecting reliability a full V&O inspection will be completed bimonthly per SMP 400.13.2. 2.0 PROBLEMS AND DISCREPANCIES 2.1 Severe Trouble shall be reported to the responsible Control Center and the person in charge of the substation immediately. 2.1.1 The employee shall secure the area and warn unauthorized people to stay clear of the danger. 2.1.2 A severe trouble condition is a situation that is hazardous to the system operation and/or National Grid employees or the public. 2.2 Problems and discrepancies found shall be repaired during the V&O Inspection whenever possible. 2.3 Problems and discrepancies not corrected during the V&O Inspection shall be recorded on the Inspection Card (Equipment Inspections) or as a note in the mobile device (Substation V&O Inspections). 2.3.1 The Supervisor reviewing the inspection shall generate follow-up work orders in CMMS to document the required work. 3.0 V&O GUIDELINES 3.1 To provide uniform and effective V&O Inspections throughout National Grid, the Substation Maintenance Standards and Procedures shall be referenced for detailed information on the inspection of each type of equipment. 3.1.1 Some of the typical items to be checked include: air, hydraulic and gas pressures, operation counters, oil levels and temperatures, and visual condition. 3.2 The substation shall be inspected for cracked or broken line terminators, bus supports and post insulators, heat discolored wire and wire terminations and blown surge arresters. All fuses and disconnects shall be checked for proper seating and heat discoloration. 3.3 Alarm and communication radios operation shall be verified. The telephones shall be checked for proper operation. PRINTED COPIES ARE NOT DOCUMENT CONTROLLED. FOR THE LATEST AUTHORIZED VERSION PLEASE REFER TO THE APPROPRITATE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE OR DOCUMENTUM. File: SMS 400.13.1 Visual and Operational Inspection Originating Department: Sponsor: T&D Services I Fawad Amiad