After a decade of observing the judging of fire station awards, the 2017 Station Design Awards proved to be a particular challenge for the judges. As we tried to determine why this year was different, it was obvious that some previous trends had become "standard" for almost all the 43 entries this year. What we realized was among the criteria of each judge, five former trends were now considered basic necessities in new fire stations. Consequently, a majority of the entries passed the first level of scrutiny by the judges.
While the entries still had a wide (really wide) range of budgets and square foot costs from across the U.S. and Canada, five items each acknowledged safety and health of department personnel. Not to be confused with the 2017 trends found in this year’s entries (we'll cover that in next month’s article) fire sprinklers, exhaust systems, access to apparatus bays, security and fitness rooms are the new norm for fire stations and the majority of entries had all five items.
Fire sprinklers
Fifteen years ago, few station award entries had fire sprinklers installed and those that did were usually California fire stations. Of the 43 entries this year, only two stations did not have sprinklers installed.
In 2003, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) introduced a provision that requires automatic sprinkler protection for new fire stations. Subsequently in 2015, NFPA 1 was expanded to include other emergency services: 13.3.2.3—New buildings housing emergency fire, rescue, or ambulance services shall be protected throughout by approved supervised automatic sprinkler systems.
Support also came from the National Fire Sprinkler Association when it identified the fire service as a key ally in helping spread the word about the life-saving benefits of fire sprinklers and its critical role in the code development process. If fire departments are going to talk-the-talk, they need to walk-the-walk and demonstrate their support by installing sprinklers in new fire stations.
Not just for show, however, fire sprinklers protect emergency personnel in the facility and protect the community from loss of service in the event of a fire in the station. Each year, numerous fire stations are destroyed by fire. In fact, 2017 began with a station fire in Concord, MA.
Exhaust systems
The installation of an exhaust system in apparatus bays is a critical issue in judging Station Design Awards. In fact, at the request of the judges, next year the type (or types) of exhaust systems used will be required on each entry’s project data sheet.
In May 1997, the manual Safety and Health Considerations for the Design of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Stations, was developed for the U.S. Fire Administration as a guideline for safety and health concerns and the design of fire and EMS stations. In one section of the manual, both National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared human exposure to diesel exhaust as a potential occupational hazard through toxicological studies.
The report also cited a 1985 study commissioned by International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and indicated the most significant source of firefighter exposure to diesel exhaust was from the exhaust remaining in the station after the engine start. Some variations in the study results were identified, based on differences in climate, station design and number of runs per tour.
In discussing exhaust systems among judges this year, one architect was asked to recommend the best exhaust system. His response, “Belts and suspenders--direct capture and filters--then you are capturing the best of both worlds.” He added, “And you need to make sure the hoses fit each of the vehicles you put in the station.”
Access to apparatus bays
The flow of the floor plan was the topic of lengthy discussion during the judging process. Direct access to apparatus bays is important and, according to Johnny Fong, architect and fire engineer for Reno, NV, “The most important job of a fire company is to quickly, efficiently and safely respond to emergencies. In order to do that, firefighters must be able to get to their apparatus in the same quick, efficient, and safe manner.”
Fong and the other judges this year meticulously focused on the circulation patterns of each entry finalist. Can a firefighter get to his/her apparatus in a timely manner from any part of the station? Can a firefighter get to his/her apparatus in a timely manner from their sleeping quarters? If a firefighter must make more than two turns to get to the apparatus bay or must go through another room to get to the apparatus bay, the station floor plan begs for further scrutiny.
Security
The first area judges will look at for security in a fire station begins on the site plan. Is parking for the public and visitors separated from the employee parking? Is security provided for employee vehicles with a gate or security camera? Is there a separate public entrance and are they prevented from accessing department personnel and the living area?
Key codes, alarms and video cameras both inside and outside the station are integral to security and will continue to be paramount for all public safety facilities, including the use of bulletproof glass in urban fire stations.
Fitness rooms
Designated physical fitness rooms have increased in size to allow not only fitness equipment, but additional floor space for core-body workouts. One wall of glass windows is not considered a decorative luxury, as it is a safety feature in the event of an accident or illness while exercising. Jeff Bacidore, risk manager and former fire chief, was adamant that moving away from free weights is important from a risk management standpoint. He strongly encourages the use of machines versus weights.
Listening to the Station Design judging process is a unique education on how each judge, based on their personal experience, reviews each entry submitted. The discussions on each category and each of the finalists in the category often involve talking about the department’s unique qualities and its mission to best serve its community. Volunteer departments will generally appeal to volunteers with areas for socializing or offer space for community gatherings or meetings. Career departments in urban areas include more protected areas for downtime away from public view.
Every year the Station Design Awards offers new insights and lessons in the evolution of fire and public safety facilities. The 2017 Station Design Awards entries were definitely evidence of progressive fire departments.
