10.1. SR 09-05-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River Fire Department Elk River, MN Fire Station Feasibility and Facilities Study Five Bugles Design A Division of Wendel Companies Mechanical/Electrical Infrastructure – A number of the buildings systems are original to its construction. Of most concern is the building’s electrical system. The facility relies on a number of inefficient HVAC systems to provide heating and cooling. The Office and training rooms are heated with aging gas fire roof top units. The apparatus bays are heated with ceiling mounted, gas fired heating units supported by air handlers. More efficient systems are available that will improve indoor air quality, reduce energy related costs, and reduce maintenance. Specifically, any new stations should consider an in-slab heating system for the apparatus bay. These systems provide heat at the ground level, dry the floor and equipment faster and are more efficient to operate than other systems. The electrical service has reached its capacity. This single phase service is, however, inappropriate for the use; much of the support equipment for the department requires a three phase service. Accommodations were recently made in order to purchase a new SCBA Compressor unit due power concerns. The building is not sprinklered which was compliant at the time of construction, but would not be compliant today. Any major work to the building should include adding a sprinkler system. OPERATIONS Drive through operations – Drive through fire stations are safer and more efficient than back-in stations. Safely backing a fire truck into a station requires a minimum of 3 personnel who have been trained in the specifics of the operation. This becomes even more unsafe when combined with Personal Protective Gear (turn out gear) stored on the apparatus floor. Station No. 1 has some drive through bays (2 of 6), but the approach that creates the drive through uses the parking lot for a neighboring property. If this situation were to change the department would be severely hampered by stacked equipment that could not be easily accessed. This condition should be resolved with an easement to allow this condition as long as the station is to remain. The apparatus bay doors are small (12’X12’) as are the bay widths with some as narrow as 15’-4”. Lot size – The existing facility, parking, drives, and aprons currently occupies the entire site. Fire trucks have large turning radii. A full department turn out for a fire call or training event could entail 35-40 members and staff at the station. Adequate training requires the deployment of vehicles on the aprons and the attachment and deployment of hoses and other equipment. There is currently no room for these activities and no opportunity to acquire more space. Personnel and Equipment Decontamination Spaces – Recent studies related to the prevalence of cancers within the fire service is raising awareness of the contaminants 85