The new 14,350-square-foot fire hall, comprised of a satellite fire station, flexible workspaces that can be converted into a municipal Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and a live-fire training facility all on one site, stands to serve Delta Fire & Emergency Services and the suburban Delta community for years to come.
Designed to meet LEED NC Gold standards, the station features approximately 80% wood above grade, including the use of exposed glulam beams and post-disaster wood frame throughout the interior millwork. Wood was integrated not only for an aesthetic appeal but also to capture the wood-to-wood connections, providing an interesting and cost-effective seismic detailing which is required for a post-disaster firehall. This also enabled the design team to reveal the structural system as the final finish in many areas of the building, bringing the impact of the wood structure into the overall theme of flexibility.
Key to the success of this system was the integration of heavy timber with the dimensional lumber through an integrated shop drawing process which saw the Framers, Glulam suppliers, Structural Engineers, Architects and Construction Managers work together through a series of digital meetings to work out all aspects of the coordination before the wood elements arrived on site. This was significant for this type of building and enabled the erection of the super structure to be installed at a fast and efficient pace.
Built on Delta’s seismically unstable soil, a raft slab foundation was used to help ensure the building remains operational after a disaster. The landscaping and civil design has been developed to incorporate drought-tolerant, bird-repelling and regional planting strategies in combination with a low-slope grading approach that requires minimal retaining walls. To control storm water, the flow of water from the roofs and the site meet predevelopment flows as outlined by LEED to ensure storage and slow release.
Situated near Boundary Bay Regional Airport and two busy provincial highways, the new fire hall has two tandem bays for five apparatus, providing rapid response to structure fires, technical rescues and serious multi-vehicle accidents. The hall is operational 24/7 and is currently staffed with one suppression crew.
Natural wood and cool water tones make for a soothing, restful environment – a welcome counterbalance to the inherent stresses of emergency response. Keeping mental, physical and emotional wellness at the fore, JDa ensured that every occupied room has access to ample natural light and fresh air. Brightly coloured linoleum flooring helps delineate sleeping quarters and other personnel spaces. Oversized graphics add energy and assist with wayfinding.
In addition to the Delta Emergency Operation Centre and dedicated Fire Training Facility, the Boundary Bay Fire Hall also houses the bright and modern Corporate Training Centre.
Architect/Firm Name: Johnston Davidson Architecture.
