The Project
Robert Whetham Associates (RWA) was appointed as part of Bond Bryan Architects’ design team to fully design the M&E services for the new build fire station in line with BREEAM “very good” standards.
Our Solution
The Fire Authority needed a full detailed design of all M&E services in connection with the new fire station and a temporary fire station. A redundant ambulance station on Foleshill Road was converted so the fire service could continue operations whilst the construction works took place. Given the client’s requirement for BREEAM compliance, we used our experience on numerous other projects that we have carried out for fire authorities around the country and we integrated renewable technologies and sustainability wherever they were cost-effective to do so into our design, including: • photovoltaics to satisfy the local authority target to provide 10% of energy to the local community from renewable sources • natural ventilation to rooms whenever possible • LED lighting c/w absence detection • LED external lighting The photovoltaics (PV) effectively provided “free” electricity from the sun, which was offset against the electricity consumption of the building and provided a reduction in CO2.
Solution Benefits
The M&E work was completed and handed over in winter 2018 and an official opening ceremony took place in June 2019.
In addition to being a base for some 50 staff, the new station now includes a large, dedicated space for community use and gym facilities which will be available for initiatives with health agencies. It benefits from a turnout system that was incorporated into the design, with the functional and most-used spaces being placed nearest to the engine house, allowing faster emergency reaction times. It also includes an innovative kit heating system that allows the fire-fighting kits to be dried faster and to be ready for operational use much quicker than traditional drying rooms.