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Net Locker Storage Frequently Asked Questions
Background:
Fishermen’s Terminal provides 252 net lockers, and 20K square feet of locker storage. Decades ago, these lockers were designed to serve the fishing fleet, and most come with 30’ high ceilings. The design of the high ceilings was for the purpose of hanging cotton nets so they could dry.
Over the last 20 years, the type of netting utilized in the fishing industry has changed from cotton nets to monofilament type material, thus no longer needing to be hung from the lofty ceilings to dry.
Since then, lessees of these lockers have made structural and electrical changes within them to take advantage of the 30’ of space above them, and are referred to as “lofts.” These changes were made without authorization, without proper permitting or engineering.
What is happening with the loft structures?
The Port of Seattle is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe locker storage environment at Fishermen’s Terminal.
Along with concerns around hazardous materials and using locker space for purposes other than storage, these lofts within the lockers currently block the fire sprinklers in the net sheds, creating a potential fire hazard, and they must be removed.
Can the Port rewire and install a fire sprinkler system around the existing lofts?
Installation of additional, new fire sprinkler plumbing in the existing lofts would require redesigning and upgrading to meet new fire codes, the entire system which would be too expensive and likely would not be able to extinguish a fire.
Why do the loft structures have to be dismantled?
In a Port-wide review of potential organization risks, the Risk Management has determined them unsafe, and a hazard for both tenants and Port facilities.
What is required of net shed tenants?
The Port of Seattle would like to work with the net shed tenants and Fishermen’s Terminal community in establishing a timeline for tenants to clear items from their lockers for an average of one to two days, depending on the type of installation that was done, while Port crews dismantle unsafe loft structures. We have to begin in February, 2009.
What are the next steps?
We are meeting with the Fishermen’s Terminal Advisory Council Nov. 14, and would like to have an open house in January of 2009 to work out the details of clearing lockers, temporary storage, prohibited items and use, and moving your items back into your locker space.