Why Should You Use an Architect with Significant Fire Station Design Experience?

Well, look at it another way.  Would you go to a foot specialist for a heart condition?  Both doctors were trained in medical school.  Surely the podiatrist can figure out a coronary by-pass, right? In the same vein, any good architect should be able to “figure out” how to design a station but there are many advantages in using a designer with significant fire/rescue experience.  By far, the most important fact to keep in mind is that an architect with significant fire/rescue design experience will save you money and headaches.  Consider these points.

Better Pre-Planning Assistance

At the earliest stages, when you are trying to estimate building size, site size, project scheduling, etc., an architect with significant fire/rescue experience is much more willing and able to provide accurate planning data.  Accurate pre-planning data is extremely valuable when you need to know or submit your goals and requests to your boards or officials.  If the architect has a wealth of this data readily available, there may also be little or no cost to you in soliciting it.

Better Project Cost Projections

The architect who is regularly receiving actual construction bids on station projects has a much better “data bank” to utilize in projecting anticipated costs for your project.  This benefits you during the pre-planning phase when you are establishing your capital improvement plan.  It is also helpful at every design phase leading up to the project bidding by updating your project budget with recent construction cost trends for stations.

Greater Knowledge of Station Activities, Program Requirements and Trends

If you find yourself having to teach your architect how to design a fire/rescue station, you know you’re in trouble.  The experienced designer will have worked on enough station projects to have a good understanding of what actually goes on in a fire station and how that should affect the design.  He should bring ideas and fire service trends to the table that you have not even thought about.  This will help to assure that your station not only satisfies you program requirements, but is also on the cutting edge of service trends developing.

Greater Knowledge of State/National Codes and Standards for Fire Services

Every project has more than its share of building codes and standards that have to be applied.  Sometimes it seems that every possible jurisdiction is lined up to hit you with their particular requirements, no matter the building type.  But stations have particulars that must be addressed in uncommon ways compared to the average building project.  Beyond this, there are codes and standards like NFPA, OSHA, ASHRAE, etc., that place requirements on stations not typically encountered in other facilities.  An architect experienced in addressing these will be much more capable of satisfying special codes and standards.

Greater Knowledge of Specialized Systems and Equipment

Decontamination, vehicle exhaust extrication, drainage, SCBA, cascades, emergency notification systems and extractors are just some of the specialized systems or equipment to be addressed in the design of a modern rescue facility.  Without prior experience with these systems the architect will likely need extensive instruction on what they are and how to design to accommodate them.

Knowledge of Fire/Rescue Station Construction Types

An understanding of the different construction types normally used for stations and how they may best fit your program needs and available budget is critical by the architect so that they can make the best recommendations for your specific project.

Prototypical Opportunities

When the architect has a large “repertoire” of previously designed and built stations, there may very well be one that is similar to your program needs.  If so, there is the opportunity for you to actually tour a similar model of what you are considering, or may even build.

Fire/Rescue Station Construction Administration Experience

The construction phase is the phase most likely to encounter significant, costly problems.  Everyone has heard horrific stories of all the unnecessary change orders faced during the construction period.  These can sometimes be the result of designers not spending enough time during this phase and not being familiar with the challenges inherent in the construction of a station.  Anticipating and addressing problems even before they arise is critical in protecting the department’s best interest and budget.

A fire/rescue station should be designed and built to be a 50 to 75 year facility.  Selecting the architect who is significantly experienced in this very specialized building type will be the most likely way to ensure the station’s longevity and save your department money during construction and over the life of the facility.