When North Hempstead town officials cut the ribbon on the $23 million Clinton G. Martin Park pool renovations in June, they unveiled a new water slide, kiddie pool and diving boards.
What they didn’t unveil was a fire safety system – which prompted the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office to issue a violation the day before the June 30 opening and recommend the pool not open.
The renovated pool project had approved plans to include a fire alarm and fire sprinkler system, Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said in an interview.
Upon a scheduled inspection on June 29, the Fire Marshal’s Office found the safety systems were not ready for the scheduled opening date, Uttaro said.
More than a month has gone by and while progress has been made, the systems are still not yet complete and ready for approval, Uttaro said.
“Being over a month into the pool operating and this issue still isn’t resolved, that’s a little bit surprising,” Uttaro said.
He added that the town has not ignored this issue and has been updating the Fire Marshal’s Office regarding progress.
“From that perspective, of course we’re waiting to hear, but we’re optimistic that this problem is going to get resolved,” Uttaro said.
At the unveiling, town officials touted their success at following through on a promise to only keep the pool closed for one season during renovations.
“Sure enough, it’s June 30 and we’re ready to rock and roll,” Supervisor Judi Bosworth said at the grand opening.
In a statement, North Hempstead spokeswoman Carole Trottere said the pool was opened with a fire watch system in place, “which is permissible and safe.”
Trottere added that the contractors are still finishing work on the site and the alarm and sprinklers will be complete before they leave.
The pool is open until Sept. 3.
While the systems are being installed, the town is using a “24-hour human fire watch, which is an accepted fire safety system used while the fire suppression system is being completed,” Trottere said.
Uttaro said a fire watch can be used as a fire safety tool, but it is not an approved substitution for an operating and approved fire alarm system or sprinkler system.
Uttaro also noted that the missing safety systems are for the pool buildings, and not for the outdoor pool area.
He signaled that the pool is still safe for residents to use.
“I wouldn’t consider them in danger, but obviously having these fire protection systems completely installed and operating and approved by our office … would be an enhancement to their safety,” Uttaro said. “I don’t want to diminish the fact they’re required and should be installed.
Uttaro said it’s rare for the Fire Marshal’s Office to issue a violation to a town, city or village but said it happens “from time to time.”
The town won’t receive a fine or penalty from the violation, Uttaro said.
“It’s not an instrument of punishment, it’s an instrument of education and awareness that you need to remedy this problem because you have a problem,” Uttaro said. “That’s our job as fire marshals.”
Reach reporter Rebecca Klar by email at rklar@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516-307-1045, ext. 204, or follow her on Twitter @rebeccakl
