Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department

Challenge

From 4,000 residents in 1980 to nearly 70,000 as of today, the Town of Castle Rock is a rapidly growing, family-friendly and inviting community. As the number of people who call Castle Rock home continues to rise, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue has been determined to plan for the future in a way that keeps public health and safety at the forefront.

One example of this is Castle Rock Fire Station #152, recently completed in the southern section of the Town’s fire district – known as Crystal Valley. The Town partnered with SEH to undertake design, architecture and construction administration, among a number of other services. The Town recognized the SEH team's ability to provide a highly efficient, sustainable and inclusive design while saving the Town expenses, as well as their diligence in public outreach and client communication.

Solution

In addition to leading public engagement near the end of the schematic design phase to integrate valuable feedback from the community, SEH provided comprehensive site and building design for the new 14,000 square foot fire station – located on a 2.7 acre site. The new facility features seven private bedrooms set up to accommodate three shifts; three double-long bays for six apparatuses, a full kitchen, recreational area, dining room, day room and fitness center; a storage mezzanine floor; bunker gear, a self-contained breathing apparatus and mechanical workshop; as well as a state-of-the-art decontamination space featuring steam showers, an emerging trend in the industry.

SEH provided architectural design, site planning, civil engineering and structural engineering as well as all municipal approvals and community outreach efforts. The SEH team also completed facility assessments – including site capability, turnout time, station functionality, code requirements and accessibility. LEED principles were incorporated into the design.

The private bedrooms and private bathrooms ensure gender inclusivity and privacy, while the recreational space, kitchen and other public spaces were designed to be separated from the rest of the facility to ensure proper rest and quiet time was given between fire calls. During design, the public involvement strategy introduced four potential fire station designs. The SEH team welcomed public input, asking attendees to place stickers over their design of choice. The final design turned out to be the station most voted on by the community.

Diesel exhaust is found in every fire station and is produced whenever a fire engine burns diesel fuel. It is a complex mixture of gases, particles and toxic air elements. Unaccounted for, it can spread into the areas where firefighters work, eat and sleep. To ensure the safety of staff, the fire station design integrated Nederman Exhaust Systems. As shown in the video above, these magnetic exhaust removal systems automatically detach as the fire engine departs, allowing more timely response times while simultaneously safely and effectively removing exhaust fumes/gases.

Awards

• Hall of Fame Award | Varco Pruden Buildings