SUSTAINABILITY at Nanaimo Fire Rescue
FIRE STATION 4
As part of a 10-year plan to improve fire protection services within the City, a new
fire station was proposed to replace the aging station in the Chase River
community. With the leadership from Mayor and Council in establishing a green
policy for all new City of Nanaimo facilities, Fire Station 4 will be a LEED building,
certified for it’s sustainable “green” features.
LEED
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a design
tool used to rate commercial, residential, institutional and high-rise buildings for
their environmental friendliness. Design teams, clients and contractors use
LEED to determine sustainable goals, identify green strategies, measure and
monitor progress, and document success. Designing a sustainable project often
uses common sense but LEED is a framework to ensure that sustainable goals
are met.
Old Fire Station Recycled for a Community Centre
Fire Station 4 will replace the current station that was built by community
volunteers in the 1960’s. This building has also been home to the Boys and Girls
Club for the past several years and will now be “recycled” to provide a permanent
space in future years along with serving as a community centre within the Chase
River neighbourhood.
Chase River Heritage
Chase River has a rich history in agriculture and community design guidelines
require new building design to follow an agrarian theme. The new station will
have a combination of steep pitched and sloped roof lines to reflect barns and
sheds built in early settlement and farming eras. Much of the design will be
incorporated within a sustainable approach.
Sustainable Features
To meet the LEED certification, the architectural design team have identified the
most cost-effective environmental and energy efficient measures and
incorporated them into design features for Fire Station 4. A summary of ‘green
building’ initiatives that will be incorporated include:
Storm Water Management Features – To protect Wexford Creek, a water
collection tank, bio swales and a detention pond to treat storm water from roof
and parking areas will be incorporated into the drainage system. The
drainage system is designed to limit flows to pre-development levels for both
quantity and quality. Sedimentation and erosion control features are
incorporated in the design of both the construction period and permanent
drainage system.
Landscape – The use of vegetation and shade trees will reduce the
building’s “heat island” effect. This will have a positive impact on costs to cool
the building in summer months. A ‘demonstration garden’ will be provided
serving as an example of sustainable landscape for residents and developers.
The use of native plants will eliminate use of chemical fertilizers, the need for
a permanent irrigation system and reduce maintenance. Hard surfaced areas
will select materials that are reflective and will reduce the heat island effect of
the building.
Lighting – The lighting system will utilize energy efficient fluorescent fixtures.
‘Occupancy sensors’ will be installed in low traffic areas. Internal and
external indirect light fixtures and placement are designed to reduce light
pollution to neighbouring properties.
Water Efficiency – A number of water efficiency initiatives are targeted to
conserve potable water resources. Landscape design will include ‘drought
tolerant’ plants to limit the need for a permanent irrigation system. A water
collection tank will ‘recycle’ site rain water for reuse in cleaning the apparatus
area and washing apparatus and fire equipment. Plumbing technologies
include low flow fixtures for sinks, showers and waterless urinals.
Energy Efficiency – Lighting, heating system and equipment is designed to
reduce consumption and optimize energy performance. The floor plan and
operable window placement supports natural lighting in all regularly occupied
areas. Utilization of outside air in warm months will reduce energy
consumption. Slab radiant pipes will be used for radiant heating and cooling.
This will be particularly energy efficient for heating apparatus bays where
overhead doors are frequently used. Personal Protective Gear storage will
use mesh to enhance drying by air circulation.
Ozone Friendly HVAC System – The Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) system will be an energy efficient heat pump style. It will
incorporate a non-chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) system as they are ozone
depleting substances.
Material Recycling – A construction waste management plan will be followed
to recycle and/or divert formwork, packaging and wood products from the
landfill. Approximately 50 percent of the waste will be diverted from the
landfill. Once in operation, the building will incorporate a comprehensive
approach to minimize waste that ends up in the landfill. For example, no
paper towels will be used. Household waste will be sorted, composted where
possible and recycling initiatives for all appropriate materials will be used.
Use of Reused and Regional Materials – The LEED system places
emphasis on using building materials and products extracted, processed or
manufactured within the region. Concrete is from local suppliers and a large
portion of the building will be wood frame construction, this considered a
renewable material. Besides its environmental benefits, this supports the
local economy. The parking area will utilize used pavers and old split stones
will be used in conjunction with educational signs in the landscape.
Indoor Air Quality – Indoor air quality can have a direct effect on the health
and wellness of people using the building. Windows will open to provide
natural ventilation and the mechanical ventilation system will ensure air
change effectiveness. The apparatus bays will have a built-in extraction
system for apparatus exhaust.
Use of Low V.O.C. Materials - The indoor environment will also be
constructed with low volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.) materials. Often,
indoor chemical and pollutant sources from materials are present after
installation. Low emitting paint, adhesives and sealant materials will be
utilized to minimize the release of gassing.
Minimal Finishing Materials – Interior finishes will utilize the construction
materials as much as possible. For example, rather that using carpet that has
a limited life and will ultimately end up in the landfill, the majority of floors will
be polished and sealed concrete. The second storey will use an open truss
design primarily with the wood products exposed. Similarly, the ceiling in the
meeting/training room and apparatus room will use the exposed metal
decking and wood beams without drywall or other finishing materials. Aside
from the cost savings and limited life of some finishing materials, the
atmosphere will follow the agrarian design concept.
The building system with the structural and architectural features, mechanical
and electrical systems and landscape design will put high priority on the green
building and sustainability issue. Life cycle cost analysis and benefits have been
considered to achieve the LEED Silver Certification.
The building is scheduled for completion in May of 2008 and will be occupied
thereafter.
BEING CLEAN WITH GREEN
The multiple functions of fire stations make a good fit for a Green Housekeeping
Program. For example, career members are occupants of the building living in
the station continuously and would normally exposed to harmful or potentially
hazardous chemical contaminants associated with many cleaning products.
Since green housekeeping is a LEED innovation in design credit for Fire Station
4, the consistent use of green products in all stations is prudent.
The intent of the Green Housekeeping Program is to reduce exposure of
building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous
chemical contaminants that adversely impact air quality, occupant wellbeing and the environment.
In 2008, the Green Housekeeping Program will document the housekeeping
policies and environmental cleaning solution specifications. The acceptable
products will meet the Green Seal Standard GS-37 providing products that are
non-hazardous and have a low environmental impact. The program will also list
prohibited chemicals and practices. There will also be a guide to educate
occupants on the green cleaning concepts.
Firefighters are looking forward to doing their part for the environment.
Nov 2007
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