Innovative design for new GBP4.3m fire station

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Jun 29, 2007

Launch of Bradford fire staiton builds on Mouchel Parkman's position as one of the leading provider of property-related services to the Fire Authorities

MP for Bradford South, Gerry Sutcliffe, officially opened the new state-of-the art GBP4.3 million Bradford community fire station this month.

The station is now fully operational with 64 full-time fire-fighters situated in the most vulnerable part of Bradford with easier access to road networks and improved facilities.

Mouchel Parkman staff seconded into the Impact Partnership, a joint venture partnership between Mouchel Parkman, Agilisys and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, designed and project managed the new building which replaces a larger, outdated 35-year-old building in the city centre.

The new design reflects West Yorkshire Fire Services' (WYFS) modern and innovative approach to fire-fighting.

WYFS provided the funding for the project and Simon Pilling, Acting Chief Fire Officer for WYFS, explained: "Local crews are among the busiest in West Yorkshire, attending well over 3,000 incidents last year so it is critical that they had modern facilities in the right location to provide the best possible emergency service for the people of Bradford".

""The importance we attach to this site is reflected by the fact that it will also house the district's fire safety enforcement and community safety teams".

Iain Gammack, Impact's Lead Technical Advisor for this project, comments: "Bradford Fire Station presented us with a number of challenges in the initial phases, including the steeply sloping site which was heavily contaminated with an infestation of Japanese Knotweed and illegal tipping of asbestos.

In addition, the site contained old mine workings at a depth of 10 metres and an old well.

Once we overcame these obstacles the build progressed to schedule.

"The design now makes use of the sloping nature of the site by creating a concrete platform and utilising the space underneath the slab as a car park for staff and visitors".

The station is a steel-framed structure with a mixture of brickwork and curtain walling on the outer elevations and curved steel-sheeted roof coverings.

With five appliance bays and a three-storey administration block, the ground floor also features a special community room for use by local groups.

There is additional space for workshops and fitness training, and the external area accommodates a training tower and car park.

The design also takes energy conservation into consideration.

It includes sensor lights and zoned heating with automatic shut-off facilities for when the fire doors are opened.

To promote good practice to local businesses the building is also fitted with a fire sprinkler system.

The building has been designed in accordance with the DDA, is fully accessible to disabled people, incorporating a lift and designated toilets.

The project used various property services from Impact including architectural design, mechanical and electrical engineers, clerk of works, quantity surveyors and project managers.

The Partnership also prepared the building contractor tender documents, valuations and final account.

Iain Gammack adds, "The official launch of this exciting project is a significant achievement for the fire safety of the people of Bradford and builds on Mouchel Parkman's position as one of the leading provider of property-related services to the Fire Authorities, and it is another example of Impact supporting a regeneration project in the public sector.".