Should You Renovate or Rebuild Your Fire Station?
That is the number of Fire Departments listed with the National Fire Department Registry, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. 68% of those departments have one fire station, 17% of them have two stations, and 13% of them have three or more fire stations. Each and every one of these stations serve an essential role in protecting their communities, as well as providing a home for the fire personnel that work within them every single day. Due to the vital role they serve, it is essential that fire stations operate smoothly and efficiently for decades after being built. And because a station serves as a second home for its fire family, it is critical the living environment is safe and healthy.
However, each new year brings innovations in technology and updates to best station design practices. Coupled with regular wear and tear from daily use, it is inevitable that existing fire stations eventually become outdated. With time, aging fire stations across the nation eventually face the question: Is it more effective to renovate an outdated fire station or to rebuild a new fire station in its place?
Here at COAR Design Group (COAR), we have tackled a variety of fire station design projects, from minor and major renovations to complete rebuilds. The goal with all major renovation or new construction projects is to ensure a project that will have a useful life of 50+ years. However, at times minor remodels are necessary to serve a Department’s immediate needs and available budget. The COAR team is well-versed in assessing current fire station facilities to assist departments in deciding which solution will work best for their operations, facilities, and budget.
At the 2022 Station Design Conference, COAR President Jeff Katz spoke on this topic, sharing essential items fire departments and local governments should consider when deciding how to go about modernizing their existing fire facilities. For those facing the design dilemma of whether to renovate or rebuild your fire station, we have outlined some of Jeff’s key points.
CONSIDERATIONS TO KEEP IN MIND
When deciding whether your fire station is best suited for a renovation or a full rebuild, there are a few things that are essential to consider. This includes:
New Program Requirements
Location / Site Constraints
Equipment / Apparatus Accommodations
Need for Temporary Facilities
Best practices for “Hot Zone” Design
Gender Neutral Living Quarters
Cost
Future Growth
Structural requirements of Essential Service Facilities
Choosing between a full remodel or a rebuild requires a detailed discussion of the cost-benefit of renovating the shell of what exists, versus the long term functional and operational benefits of a replacement of the current station. In many cases, the cost of renovating can approach the cost of replacement. In those cases, a complete rebuild may make the most sense. Complete replacement allows a Department to recognize the benefit of the most logical site layout and accommodate future growth needs as well. The cost of new construction can be a deterrent to full replacement in some cases and developing creative solutions to work with any existing budget constraints is necessary.
CASE STUDY
As an example, with COAR’s Porterville Fire Station 71 project, we needed to renovate a station originally constructed in 1937. Our team developed plans which essentially tore out the interior of both the first and second floor to develop a layout appropriate for today’s fire operations without the need to replace or add on to the building.
For the San Ramon Fire Station 34 project, pictured above, we re-purposed the existing apparatus bay as bunk rooms and restrooms and added a new Apparatus Bay.
For the Pleasanton Station 3 project, pictured above, it was most appropriate to tear down the existing station and rebuild it completely on the same site.
RENOVATION - BENEFITS & CONSTRAINTS
Benefits of a Renovation
Lower cost than ground-up new construction
Extend the service life of an existing building
Maintain the same location
Preserve historic or nostalgic features
Potential for shorter construction duration
Constraints of a Renovation
Unforeseen circumstances in existing buildings
Meeting current building codes and best practices can be a challenge
Additional coordination required for operating during construction
Can often cost nearly as much as a tear down/rebuild
REBUILD - BENEFITS & CONSTRAINTS
Benefits of a Rebuild
Start fresh with a clean slate
Easier to incorporate latest technology & best practices for fire station design
More opportunity to incorporate sustainable features
Plan/Build for future growth
Easier to comply with current building codes
Constraints of a Rebuild
Higher cost than renovating
Longer construction duration
May require acquiring new land to relocate station
May require additional discretionary approvals
FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR YOU
Oftentimes, renovate or rebuild fire station projects can be approached in two different ways –the design team can “budget to a design” or “design to a budget.” In the first case, we would determine what the overall best solution is and provide a cost estimate reflective of that scope of work. In the second case, we would provide a scope that fits within the identified budget.
RECOMMENDED STEPS
Hire a qualified design team
Perform a full assessment of your existing facility
Develop concept sketches for renovation and/or rebuild
Develop cost estimates for each option
Weigh the pro’s and con’s of each
Make a decision on what will best support the Department for the next 30-50 years
RECEIVE 1-ON-ONE ADVICE AT THE 2024 STATION DESIGN CONFERENCE
If you are interested in connecting with fire departments nationwide and learning more about fire station design practices, attend the annual Station Design Conference from May 20 to May 23, 2024 in Glendale, AZ. You’ll also have the chance to connect with COAR President Jeff Katz & Associate Malina Villanueva, who will be hosting 1-on-ONE Sessions at the conference on Monday, May 20. 1-on-ONE sessions are a unique opportunity to hear from award-winning architects who are up-to-date on public safety facility trends. These experts will personally review and discuss your project at any stage, from inception, land acquisition, feasibility, design, or construction. It’s not too late to sign up to attend this year’s Station Design Conference! Be sure to also register for the 1-on-ONE if you need hands-on help with your renovate or rebuild fire station project. Click here to sign up!