Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2009 08 13

Home Browse Search

1,,tijsi I C'. 3 I I a I'1 a i s s cs c:. i ,ri t c s ,r (" c h I t e c i 11 1" r necessary to wider the overhL.ad access doors to 14' clear in order to effectively accommodate newer apparatus. 4. Equipment used by modern Firefighters has evolved dramatically since the t970's. _'4s such, storage requirements have increased, and servicing and repair facilities are new uses to be integrated into a new facility. Firestation 1 does not contain adequate space to store the apparatus and equipment, or to clean, maintain, and service that equipment, 5. i14od.ern ttrestations normally contain a residential component for continuous staffing to provide better service and to reduce response times. Firestation 1 includes no residential facilities, although it is equipped with a commercial kitchen. Additionally, when contemplating the needs ❑f a residential facility, one roust consider the ancillary u_5e.; that are to be included_ These Irsee, which ,itppnrr the firefighters, include laundry - facilities, day -use facilities, recreation, fitness, and bathing roorns, study space, and others_ Firestation No.1 includes none of these spaces. 6. The role of the firefighter has evolved over ume. Modern firefighters need to be well acquainted with contemporary firefighting equipment and techniques. They need tcs be in top physical condition in order to safely execute the lifesaving and firefighting role that they fulfill. \s such, flexible use space is extraordinarily crucial to the training and development of a firefighter's sophisticated skill set_ Firestation No. l does not contain the appropriate space or sophisticated communication and utility infrastructure required to aid in effective Firefighter training and development. Construction techniques employed in the ccrostructiun of Station 1 its 1971, although acceptable at Mat time, were less effective than current code -approved criteria. As such, Station 1 is undcrdcsigned to meet current code performance criteria having tr..s do with environmental factors, such as wind and seismic forces, and standard gravity loads. The construction of the structure is comprised , Ft load hearing concrete -masonry walls with little internal reinforcement, and concrete '`Ice" roof and floor decks. The facility should meet the requirements of rnodem construction codes for essential facilities, but in its current configuration, it falls far short, H. In 1971 \vhen the ftrestation was constructed, there were no energy codes in effect to govern or guide good design practices for energy conservation and environmental stewardship. The basic construction provides no insulation in the ertr►zor shell nf'the building's walls, and very limited insulation in the root, resulting is wide temperature swings and the potential for extraordinary energy consumption were the facility to be converted to contain residential use. 'f he \\'►nd()\VS are poor energy performers, as r►rr dic residential-styk extctior doors. The concrete slab is tin -insulated. Mechanical equipment for heating; and cooling the space performs poorly from an efficiency standpoint. Water using textures are not water -conserving in design. Lighting is poor and inefficient. We've always practiced the strategy that if you nuke warm air or cold air — treat a building's envelope details so that you can keep the conditioned air, not Iusc it. Firestation No.1 needs a deep energy retrofit. New interior finishes need to embody current quality standards for resource conserwatton, enhanced safem and improved indoor air quality.