LAN Associates, EPAS, Inc. Headlines

A Historic Undertaking...

After two years of planning and six months of construction, a 7,200 square-foot boarding barn, designed by LAN for the Goshen Historic Track, has been completed. Since the track is a National Historic Landmark, the new barn was subject to a strict architectural design review to ensure consistency with the historic character of the neighborhood.

The new barn helps to generate revenue for the non-profit entity which runs the track, helping offset operation and maintenance costs for the 22-acre facility. This milestone

represents the first step of a multi-phase Capital Improvement Plan. Racing in Goshen began in the 1770s when citizens raced their horses down the village's broad main street. The races increased in popularity, and in 1838, saddled trotting races were conducted down a straightaway that later became the home stretch of the Goshen Historic Track.

Numerous dignitaries including President Ulysses S. Grant have witnessed races at the track. The 1911 grandstand was refurbished in 2005, with design services provided by LAN, including structural steel repairs and drainage improvements. The Goshen Historic Track is a cultural and community center for the people of Goshen and Orange County. LAN has proudly served the Goshen Historic Track, Inc., helping to preserve "Main Street America" in small-town Goshen, New York.

Michael J. McGovern, R.A., AIA, LEED AP

Vice President

A Grenade that Can Save Lives...

In December 2008, LAN was approached to assist with a permit application for demolition and reconstruction of a second floor dwelling unit in Pompton Lakes that had been destroyed by fire. Although this may seem like a typical request for services, what makes this story amazing is the way in which structural damage from the fire was minimized through the use of a new tool for firefighters called Fire Interruption Technology or FIT-5. It weighs 10 lbs., looks similar to a land mine, and operates like a grenade. The user pulls the pin, tosses it into the fire, and it releases a large cloud of fine potassium salt into the air which rapidly reduces the temperature of the fire for up to 15 minutes. This gives the fire department more time to set up and attack the fire. Additionally, this device does not alter the oxygen levels in the space, making it safe to use in occupied spaces.

The FIT-5 costs approximately $1,200 per unit and can only be used once. Insurance companies are, in many instances, partially or fully reimbursing the fire departments due to the decreased property damage resulting from their use.

In early November, 2009, LAN architect Ken Ross and his family experienced first-hand the value of this new technology. Awakened by smoke detectors at 3 a.m. the family discovered a basement full of thick, black smoke. Everyone escaped without harm, and once outside, discovered a crawl space area of their home fully engulfed in flames. Within minutes, the Pompton Lakes fire department responded. Thankfully, the FIT-5 came to the rescue, and what could have become a major structural fire was quickly controlled, resulting in minimal damage to the home.

Kenneth Ross, R.A., AIA, LEED AP