Chris Hebert from DCFD Engine 13 sent in some interesting information about some buildings that many of us have seen before. The picture is of one of the familiar refreshment stands that are found at the National Mall in Washington DC. These approximately 300-400 square foot buildings are located throughout the National Mall in between the various monuments and museums. But have you really ever thought about them? What goes on there? How do the store and prepare all of the food and drinks? How does it all fit?
The answer lies below… Each building has a interior staircase that leads to a basement at least three times larger than the above ground portion of the structure. This “basement” area has a kitchen, large refrigerators, and storage for all of the product. The buildings were obviously build this way to minimize the visual impact (and footprint) on the Mall. Had anyone who has ever visited DC ever consider or notice this?
At first glance many people would not even consider anything about this type of building in their first-due area. But that’s the point! Take to time to notice everything in your area, look at all of the buildings, no matter their size. Big problems sometimes come in small packages. When observing what a building is telling you, more importantly, consider what it is NOT telling you! Remember, everyday is a training day, even while stuck in line, waiting for a drink while on vacation.
Good find! That gives a good explanation why the chains are around the concrete pad surrounding the building, it’s to keep heavy vehicles off the roof!
Great find. And ex-chief, you’re dead on about those chains.
I always thought that these types of businesses were built on a slab and had their food prepared, cooked and delivered from an off-site kitchen. Thanks for bringing this to light.
I always thought the food just came in pill form and they just stuck it in a hydrater like the Jetsons.
Excellent find. I’ve see these but never thought about it. Good to know in case of a cellar fire.
Is the staircase pictured the sole means of ingress and egress?
DMAN72: “I always thought the food just came in pill form and they just stuck it in a hydrater like the Jetsons.”
Jeez DMAN, Get with the program, ol’ man. They’ve been using replicators for years now!!
At the rear of the building is a freight elevator that pops up out of the concrete slab. This elevator opening could be used as a vertical vent from the basement or laddered as a second means of egress. Great find!!!
So do they use the espresso machine power cord to lock the doors at night?
Good find. Once again, you would never know this untill you were on the job or if you did the pre-incident plans/inspections. I’d prefer to know before hand.
Older McDonald’s are set up like this. They have underground storage; we found this out investigating light ballast.
D-Man you always crack me up with your jokes! The fact that you still watch the Jetsons’ is even cooler! I’m just glad to findout that the food is fresh at those places! Makes my chubbyself happy! Great find/tip!
We have a couple of fast food places that have basements to them. Most people think they are just slab buildings though.
McDonalds are the worst. Some do. Some dont
McDonalds…..ah yes.
Remember what those (McDonald’s) roof facades hide.
Heavy HVACs…..
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=nycm8t715ctb&scene=32527317&lvl=2&sty=o
I can’t believe that it’s almost 10 years ago (Feb 14th) that Houston ffs Lewis Evans Mayo III, 44, and Kimberly Ann Smith died in such a fire at a McDonalds.
15 years that date for Bricelyn Street, Pittsburgh.
good pickup on that one. i run through that part of town 3-4 times a week and thought they were just small snack barns.
What type of precast are the panels on the ground? How are they supported, & are they protected? Is there a 2nd egrees point?
The concrete pad around the building is indeed the size of the basement under the stand. There is only one way into the basement through an interior stairwell. Some of the buildings have an exterior elevator allowing deliveries to happen. All stands have dumbwaiters to shuttle prepared food from the basement to the sales area.
I am not familiar enough with concrete pre-cast to comment on that, but I will tell you that they are not protected.
The only fire suppression system in the building are located in the fryer & grill hood systems. The fire load is pretty substantial in such a small space and would definitely make for an interesting incident if a fire were to break out.
If anyone has any other questions I would be glad to answer them.