ESQUISSE 2: FIRE STATION

By

AUSA, ALLYSA KAYE MARIEL M.

An undergraduate thesis presented and submitted to the Faculty of the

National University, College of Architecture, in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture

College of Architecture

National University

AR. REX S. GUEVARRA

PROFESSOR
 DESIGN STANDARD (CODES, LAWS/GUIDELINES)

1.​ Site Selection and Accessibility

-​ The location of the fire station should provide simple and fast access to the
areas it serves as well as main routes. It should ideally be near densely
populated regions with little traffic to speed up reaction times.

2.​ Building Design and Layout

-​ To guarantee fast deployment, the bays should be directly accessible from the
street, preferably without requiring passage through the remainder of the
structure.
-​ The vehicle bay is the most important component of a fire station. Emergency
vehicles, such as fire trucks, require plenty of room to park and maneuver.
The vehicle bays should have high ceilings to store equipment on top of the
vehicles and deep enough to fit big trucks.

3.​ Environmental and Energy Efficiency

-​ In order to lessen their carbon footprint, fire stations should adhere to
sustainable design guidelines, just like any other public structure. Rainwater
harvesting systems, solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient lighting
are a few examples of this.

●​ National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards

-​ The NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and
Health Program establishes standards for the building and design of fire
stations, as well as for the safety of firefighters operating within and near fire
stations.
-​ A standard that deals with staffing levels, reaction times, and organizational
efficiency in fire stations is NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and
Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations,
and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments.

●​ Local Building Codes

-​ Fire Safety Codes: These include fire suppression systems, emergency exits,
fire escapes, and fire-resistant materials inside the fire station structure. To
guarantee that the structure can safely endure fire occurrences, fire stations
must adhere to or beyond local fire protection requirements.

●​ International Codes and Standards

-​ The International Fire Code (IFC) establishes safety guidelines for fire
stations as well as other life and fire safety-related matters. It addresses
topics such building accessibility for emergency personnel, emergency exit
regulations, and fire suppression.
 CASE STUDIES ( 2 LOCAL & 2 INTERNATIONAL)

1.​ LOCAL

1.1 Makati Fire Station (Makati City, Philippines)

One example of a well-designed fire station in a busy city like Makati City, Philippines, is
the Makati Fire Station. Situated in the heart of Makati, one of Metro Manila's busiest cities,
this fire station has been thoughtfully constructed to satisfy the needs of quick response
times and operational effectiveness.

In order to accommodate the numerous fire engines and emergency vehicles that are
necessary for prompt response, the Makati Fire Station was constructed with plenty of
vehicle bays. The station has contemporary administrative offices, fire apparatus storage,
and designated parking for staff. In order to accommodate the firefighters' 24-hour shifts, the
building also features distinct living rooms for them, complete with a kitchen and eating
facilities.

The fire station's placement in the crowded metropolitan area was one of the biggest
obstacles. Due to Makati's restricted area, the fire station's design had to make the most of
the land that was available while also satisfying the department's operating requirements.

Furthermore, the station has to be located carefully to provide quick access to emergency
areas because of Makati's high traffic volume. The main goals of the design were to reduce
traffic congestion that can cause delays in emergency responses and to maximize access to
vital highways. Careful design for car entry and departure locations, as well as large
driveways for fire engines to navigate, helped meet the challenge of developing a facility that
is both safe and accessible.

1.2 Quezon City Fire Station (Quezon City, Philippines)

This fire station was built to meet the demands of the city's rising population and is situated
in the center of Quezon City, one of Metro Manila's major cities. In one of the busiest and
most populous regions in the Philippines, the station acts as a crucial emergency response
base of operations.
 The Quezon City Fire Station has a contemporary layout with roomy car bays,
administrative offices, and places to store firefighting supplies. Additionally, the design
incorporates crew living quarters that are well-organized, which is essential for firefighters'
well-being during extended shifts. The training area, which allows firemen to practice and
improve their abilities, is a crucial component of the design. For the personnel's safety and
preparation, the station also has decontamination areas for washing and maintaining the
specialist firefighting equipment.

Because of the dense population and the substantial presence of residential, commercial,
and industrial districts, the fire station's placement presented difficulties. The station has to
be well situated for easy access to major roads and heavily inhabited regions in order to
guarantee prompt responses. By establishing effective vehicle access and departure
locations, the design addressed this issue and made it possible for fire vehicles to leave the
station promptly. Modern communication systems were also installed in the building to
provide easy collaboration in case of an emergency.

2.​ INTERNATIONAL

2.1 London Fire Brigade Headquarters (London, United Kingdom)

In one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world, the London Fire Brigade Headquarters
acts as a central command center. It has been strategically placed to provide easy access to
high-risk locations around the city.

The headquarters are located in a state-of-the-art building with operating spaces for fire
service staff, administrative offices, and cutting-edge firefighting apparatus. The building's
layout includes a number of open-plan training rooms, car parking, and offices. To fit the big
fire engines and emergency vehicles, the vehicle bays are roomy and have high ceilings.
Additionally, the building has sustainable design elements, such as rainwater collection
systems, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting.

The dense population of central London was one of the biggest obstacles encountered
during the headquarters' construction. Due to the restricted building space, the station had to
be positioned carefully to enable fire engines to be quickly dispatched to high-risk regions
and important districts.
 In order to overcome these obstacles, the design made the most of vertical space by
including multi-level car bays and training facilities to guarantee that the structure could hold
the necessary staff and equipment.

2.2 Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Headquarters (Vancouver, Canada)

One of Canada's biggest and busiest fire agencies relies heavily on the Vancouver Fire
and Rescue Services Headquarters. The station is essential to emergency operations in the
city and other metropolitan regions and is situated in the center of downtown Vancouver.

Both environmental sustainability and practicality were considered in the construction of

the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Headquarters. Quick escapes are made possible
by the building's architecture, which has car spaces with direct access to major streets.
Modern firefighting training facilities, administrative offices, and residential accommodations
for firefighters working extended shifts are additional features of the station. During major
situations, the fire department may collaborate with law enforcement, emergency medical
services, and city authorities thanks to the joint-use areas. Public safety was a priority in the
building's design, as seen by the emergency escape pathways and strong fire suppression
systems.

The urban setting of the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services Headquarters and the city's
increasing need for emergency response services were the biggest architectural problems.
The fire station has to be positioned carefully to reduce response times to every part of the
city because Vancouver is a heavily populated region. The design used multi-story
construction to solve the space constraints in the city's crowded core, with vital functions like
administration, equipment storage, and car bays piled vertically.

USER ANALYSIS

1.​ Firefighters - Since firefighters are the main users of fire stations, their demands
are centered on efficiency, safety, and the capacity to act swiftly in an emergency.
2.​ Administrative Staff - The management of the fire station's operations and support
services falls within the authority of administrative personnel.
3.​ Visitors and Community - Community people, local government representatives, or
other organizations that collaborate with the fire service may visit fire stations.
 LIST OF SPACES

1.​ Apparatus Bay - Housing for the emergency vehicles.

a.​ Ladder Trucks
b.​ EMS Ambulances
c.​ Engines
d.​
2. Sleeping Quarters - Sleeping area of on-duty department members
3. Residential Areas - Quarters with day rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms facilities
4. Recreational Facilities - With gym equipment
5. Training Facilities - Training Area/ room for firefighters
6. Office - Captain Office, Chief Office
7. Record Room
8. Meeting Room
9. Watch Room
10. Restrooms
11. First Aid Area/ Room

BUBBLE DIAGRAM