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Fire Station Protection
I guess since I bought it up I will start the forum.
How is you fire station protected from fire in the event it does happen?
First part of our station was built in 1950. Back then there was no requirement for sprinklers. The 60s the station was remodeled to add and upgrade by adding a bunkroom, rec/TV area, a repair and storage area which also double as a ambulance bay, the kitchen was upgraded for the crew to relax but still no sprinklers.
The 80s brought reason for raising funds by Bingo and Las Vegas nights so an addition was needed and built to move apparatus out of its old apparatus room now used for events along with new offices, storage, and kitchen/TV area. Rooms in the old sections were remodeled for larger bunk room separate bathrooms and more event space.
The only areas that have fire protection today are the kitchen in the event hall which has a dry chemical system for the stove and deep fry area. The storage area in the addition has sprinklers which were put in by one of the members who worked for a plummer.
Now most requirements would require that there should be fire extinguisher be mounted in locations near rooms in the building. Don't see it. I was told if we need a extinguisher get it off the piece.
Smoke detectors we have them in the bunkroom, no where else.
We have been told our station would cost us a good amount to bring it up to code to have a alarm/ detection system and sprinklers.
We have been thinking of rebuilding or moving to a new site to build a new station to meet the codes.
We have a sub station that was built in the 70s by the county but doesn't meet all the codes but its their building and they can do what they want with it.
As for break ins or vandalism we have a alarm system for our events office but no other detection system like cameras or alarmed doors and windows. I have been told we don't need them even thou we have had thefts of a office safe, gear, personal items, other items including the station radio system over the years I have been a member.
Even member's vehicles have been stolen from the parking area.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Good question! Thinking of my own station which was built in the 50s it has no sprinkler system. We have mounted fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Since we have no Sleeper area nor kitchen the only concern I have is for the apparatus bays. Our Building is entirely concrete block wall construction. So our bigger concern is for earthquake protection. We have looked into grants for retrofitting for earthquakes, exhaust systems and fire protection systems for the bays but so far have been unsuccessful. We have a security system in the bays and we are adjacent to the Police Department. Good question to ponder!
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Permalink Reply by ashfire on
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I know any new stations built after the 80s have had to meet the codes and requirements of the law changes in the county and the state.
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Here's something else to ponder. How many stations you know had to fence out the neighborhood? I mean use fencing that would protect a military building or prison from the outside.
One new station I know of has a has such fencing plus a automatic gate to protect the sides and backend of the station plus POVs. Now 2 additioanl stations identical were built in two other areas but I am unsure if they have the same fencing around them.
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Permalink Reply by Bill States on
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Our Station has a fire alarm system with automatic detection the calls to a 24 hour manned location.
Currently we use NFPA code and NFPA 1 (Uniform Fire Code) requires all NEW fire and rescue stations to be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system.
We would also be required to have a fire alarm system and Carbon Monoxide detectors if people were sleeping in the quaters.
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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on
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Our issues have usually come from inside. We had members bring in friends who stole property. We had a chief almost get killed by another member. No we have cameras in every room except the bunk room and bathrooms. Exteroir lights mkae it look like Graterford Prison.
Since we renovated 5 yrs ago the whole building is sprinklered.
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I just seen a news item about a station that burn down in Georgia while no one was in the station. There was another station that burn down in another state that is under suspension of being a arson fire. Maybe having a security system and a sprinkler system would be good for a station thats not manned around the clock and stations that are manned around the clock. The other forum running the same time ask about mounting on board fire suppression systems on fire apparatus. There have been incidents of fire apparatus catching fire while sitting in the station.
The situation is what happens to an area that loses its fire station or a unit. Add time and distance from another station. Time to rebuild or replace. Will there be enough money to do it.
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Additional to this was another news article about a man who broke into a State of Washington fire station and stole half the fire station. He even stole a whole Hurst Tool set.
Now I have heard the stories or news of someone stealing the apparatus. One news item I remember because I was in Ocean City MD. A drunk walked into one of the city's stations and drove out with one of the pumpers while the crew was asleep. A police chase took place a few counties away on US 50 and came to a hault halfway to the Bay Bridge.
Some depts are now having GPS and computer units built into the units radio systems so that 911 dispatch operations can track units and they can receive directions and info on calls units are dispatched on.
All of the depts around the Washington DC area are replacing their old radios systems with the upgrade systems.
I can remember the old low band radios when I started and having to writed down addresses and look in mapbooks for the info.
Now you won't have to say a word and have GPS direct your unit to the call and tell you what you will have when you get there.
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Permalink Reply by Andy Turnham on
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All our fire stations have been retro-fitted with sprinklers, smoke alarms and extinguishers, even those dating back to the 1800s. We also have a self-closing doors in a lot of stations (those without, a FF has to close the doors after the last appliance is out and then mount up). There was a time when the doors were left open while we were on a shout but now there is no respect for a fire station and the place would be looted by the time we returned. Because we have 24 hour manning security alarms are not considered necessary.
It's a bit embarrassing to have your station burn down when you spend a proportion of your time preaching fire prevention/safety to the public.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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All of our stations, our dispatch center, our HQ, and our training center are protected from fire with automatic (wet) sprinklers, ABC fire extinguishers, K fire extinguishers in the kitchen areas, and smoke detectors monitored by an alarm company.
Weather and earthquake - all of our new fire stations meet the local hurricane code, as does the training center and dispatch center. Our two older stations are scheduled for replacement by hurricane-hardened stations and our we are also exploring hardening our HQ.
The biggest problem we have is that we're on a barrier island in the ocean with almost no part of the island more than 3 or 4 feet above sea level. Most of our stations are on built-up lots at least 15 feet above sea level, but even a moderate storm surge will potentially be a problem.
We have a serious evacuation plan for events that are large enough to make staying here too risky, including a base camp location 90 miles inland on high ground.
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There was a story this week of a vol station in Iowa which caught fire because of a building next to it was on fire. They had just done some rehab of the station and had damage and lost some turnout gear and hose but were able to get the apparatus out.
I will not put down that they had a metal building for the station which a lot of depts around the country do but I think adding some sprinklers would be a good safety factor.
Then I have told people about a company that has built many building in the US and around the world that say their buildings are indestructible and have been used for schools, churches, home and sometime soon fire stations.
www.monolithic.com
Now how many fire companies would you know that would fencing like this around their building to keep their building safe from break ins
www.ameristarfence.com
I know of one station that was built by our county did and could have been done at two more.
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