A THESIS on FIRE STATION DESIGN (@ajor: Architecture) BY Albert B. Antelman (Analysis and Text) Jose Tovar (Illustrations) California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1974 Grad Date Submitted: Recorder: Project Advisor: Department Head Approval:TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER i It. DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM... The Problem.... Statement of the problem and goal.. Present status of the problem... Organization... Basic considerations... .2....++.+-leeeeseedeeee Source Data.. Sources of information......+++..seeeeeereeeeee USER ORGANIZATION.....--+-++0seeceeeeeeeee Personnel...... POR G06 G5. sip) «cess Soe» ON Eta o General User Duties and Obligations... Firh, Ghietes/ gels, ! wah p. coh oor oes The assistant chief.. Battalion chief...... Fire marshal... Fire inspector... Fire captain....... s Engineer... Firemen. Dispatcher.......- Sociocultural Characteristics...........++.eseeeeeeCHAPTER III. Iv. Resistance-to-change..........++.+. Social organization........ FIRE DEPARTMENT APPARATUS. FACILITY DESIGN REQUIREMENTS... Apparatus Room.......+ Communications Center..........+++s04e+ Dayroom..:...5+<+7 Classroom Library... Recteation arge «iis efac. eiip et, oy Poents pean bee MOPR ODT sc aon eV oese eee ws Dining room.......... Kitchen.. Restroom. Public lobby...-..... Fire department business offices... Miscellaneous spaces and items.. Mechanical room. . Yard... Gasoline storage.. Slide poles..... aa PAGE 10 10 12 18 20 26 31 34 36 38 40 42 aTCHAPTER Y. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING FIRE STATION DESIGNS... . Sitetn... Safety.... Storage availability Pqutigiteites. Aces se. aan Traffic control.... Hardware and doors... PUUMDINE -h 5 oo lofe]s|ele|® [ole lolelofels S[OlSISE[SIEIS/El 9] [ole lolol= zl 0 & S olgto ol obs io +e bs ° o 2 10.0°= 9.0 No functional compromise. 9.0 - 8.0. Slight functional compromise. * 8.0 -.6.5° Moderate functional compromise. 6.5 - 4.0 Gross functional compromise. 4.0 = 0,0 Incompatible functional compromise e &. Apthur’4.oRosener, Rationale for the Architectural/snvironnental | Handbook for Extraterrestria. eas, Denver: Martin: Marietta Corporation, 1970), p. 2-142. =19-1. Apparatus Room ‘The apparatus room is the "heart of every fire station."?6 ‘The primary purpose of the apparatus room is to provide for the storage and maintenance of fire department vehicles. Furnishings and equipment. A fire statiafs apparatus room will most likely contain all or some of the following furnishings and equipment. The apparatus room must contain a battery charger, either built-in or portable, to charge the batteries of fire department apparatus.” It is desirable to provide a deep basin sink within the apparatus room, as well as a convenient number of hose bibs. Ampel wall space should be provided for a map board with night lamp and bulletin poards.'® The apparatus room of a volunteer fire department may require a large blackboard. Since not all volunteer fire departments have permanent dispatchers on duty, the blackboard is used to communicate the location of an alarm to late arriving volunteer firemen. 1? An air compressor unit is generally located within the apparatus room or adjacent to it. The air compressor unit is used to refill the air. cylinders of self- contained breathing equipment worn by firemen. The air in-take of the air compressor unit should have clean air piped into it from outside the building.”? an electric outlet should be provided for a clock and should be situated where it is most visible.” -20-An area should be provided in or near the apparatus room for the drying of wet fire hoses. A fire hose is usually constructed or a rubber tube covered with one or two woven jackets to protect the inner liner?” and if not properly dried, it will slowly deteriorate. A hose tower, horizontal hose rack or mechanical hose dryer are currently the three methods used for drying wet fire hoses. A wet fire hose is dried in a hose tower by hoisting the hose to the top of the tower and allowing the hose to completely drain while air circulates around each length of hose.”* In warm climates a horizontal hose rack can be used to dry wet fire hoses and is located outside the apparatus room. Horizontal hose racks require more space than any other method of drying hoses and also must properly be shaded from the sun.”* Mechanical hose dryers powered by gas or electricity are compact and dry hoses faster than any other method currently in use.2° Mech- anical hose dryers are limited in the amount of hose they are capable of drying (8 to 10 lengths of hose) and require large amounts of energy to operate. Mechanical hose washers, con- sidered a luxury item, are also available. Apparatus room doors should be at least 12 feet wide and 14 feet high. Overheard, counter-balanced electrically operated doors with controls located at the communications center or apparatus room are reconmended. © -21-Storage Space should be provided within the apparatus room for turnout gear storage. Turnout gear consists of a fireman's helmet, coat, gloves and boots. Turnout gear is usually stored on a wall mounted rack within the apparatus room. A volunteer fire department usually requires a larger turnout gear storage than a paid fire department since vol- unteer departments are generally larger. The apparatus room should contain sufficient space for the storage of mainten- ance equipment, miscellaneous supplies and spare parts. Gen- erally, storage rooms or metal lockers for the storing of extension cords, grease guns, oil cans, wiping rags and mis- cellaneous supplies should be adjacent and convenient to, if not on, the apparatus floors?” The fire hose is generally stored on racks within the apparatus room. Hose racks, which have adjustable shelves, have an overall dimension of 5'-4" in length, 26 inches in depth and spacing between shelves of 34 inches. The number of hose racks needed is dependent on the pieces of apparatus stored and their hose carrying capacity. There is generally ten lineal feet of storage provided per piece of apparatus. If the fire hose is to be stored in a room other than on the apparatus room floor, it should be well ventilated.7® Dimensions. The dimensions of the apparatus room are determined by the number and type of vehicles to be sheltered. aaConsideration should also be given to future needs. Table 3-1 provides data on apparatus size, weight, clearances and turning radii. Temperature. A minimum temperature of 50° F should be maintained within the apparatus room.”9 Ventilation. The Uniform Building Code requires a mini- mum of one complete change of air every fifteen minutes?? The San Francisco Fire Department requires an exhaust system for the apparatus room’ to effect twenty changes of air per hour with the doors closed.9+ Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See Tables 4-3,.4-4 and 4-6, Mood desired. See Tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. Blue color schemes are recommended for the apparatus room. The dominant color should be white in order to provide adequate lighting for visual tasks. Blue is recom- mended due to the relaxed, contemplative emotions it suggests. "This color scheme will make time seem to pass more rapdily than other schemes which might be employed. Low value contrasts and moderate color intensity is recommended as it will be the least distracting."° Safety. There should be provision for free movement of apparatus within the apparatus room. Sliding poles, slides, gas pumps, storage racks, bckers or other items should not =23-o encroach on traffic areas. Gasoline storage tanks should not be located within the apparatus room. Gasoline storage tanks should be outside and underground, with approved pumping devices also outside.°? Fire stations, where major heating facilities are necessary, should have a central heating plant entirely cut off from the apparatus room.°4 safety enclo- sures should be provided for air compressor units used to fill air cylinders, Safety enclosures reduce the possibility of injury from rupture of high pressure containers.°° ‘The ap- paratus room floor should be designed to minimize slipping when wet. For optimum visibility for existing vehicles, the apparatus room should have a minimum set-back of thirty feet.9° Security. In order to prevent the theft of fire station equipment, apparatus room doors should close automatically after apparatus has departed. Maintenance. The apparatus room should be easily main- tained and serviceable. The flooring material used should be waterproof, well drained and resistent to oil, corrosive drippings and wear and tear of tire chains.°7 Firemen general- ly dislike cleaning windows; therefore, windows should be easy to clean and reach. Convenience. A fire station's apparatus room should be designed and located so that fire vehicles can safely back in- to the apparatus room. An apparatus room with drive through -24-Figure 4-1. THE APPARATUS ROOM =25-capability for fire apparatus is very desireable. Parking should be provided for apparatus outside the fire station either in front or behind the apparatus room. This space is used for washing apparatus. II, Communications Center This is the nerve center of a fire station where super- vision is maintained over all communications, contact with visitors and record keeping.3® The communication center is a separate room or alcove where all alarms, communications and controls are centered. The dispatcher in the communica- tions center has control of all alarm systems (air horns sirens, base radio, home radio, and telephone alerting facilities) 39 In small communities, the fire station's communications center may take on the added role of a disaster or civil de~ fense communications center. In all cases, the communications center must be capable of continued operations under the most abnormal conditions, and, therefore, must be free from inter- nal and external fire hazards and flood waters.*? In small communities, it may be feasible to provide a separate commu- nications wing adjoining a-headquarters, fire station and separated by a substantial firewall.4! Furnishings ‘and equipment allocations. Fire alarm sys- tems, recording system, telephone, radio, house intercom, maps =26-and bulletin boards, clock, files, desk and chairs should be provided in the communications center. Dimensions. If the communications center is equipped with a bed and toilet, it requires a minimum of 230 square feet.4? Figure 4-1 supplies design criteria for controls and display console in the communications/room. Figures 4-2 and 4-3 supply anthropometry design criteria for the dispatcher at his work position. Ventilation. A good, quiet ventilation system should be provided, capable of removing excess heat produced by communications equipment. The communications center should be insulated from drafts.*% Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6 Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. Blue color schemes are recommended for the communications center. The dominant color should be white in order to provide adequate lighting for visual tasks. Blue is recommended due to the relaxed, contemplative emotions it sug- gests, "This color scheme will make time seem to pass more rapidly than other schemes which might be employed. Low value contrast and moderate color intensity is recommended as it will be the least distracting."44 Safety. If enclosed, the communications center should be protected by a vision-free, shatterproof glass or plastic. =275NDED POSITIONING OF CONTROLS AND. DI ON VERTICAL SEGMENT coNsOLES® / SUCONDARY DISPLAYS PRIMARY DISPLAYS CRITICAL DISPLAYS “AND CONTROLS HORIZONTAL LINE OF SIGHT NORMAL LINE OF. SIGHT CONTROLS CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS FOR SET UP AND CALISRATION ONLY "Design Note 265, Console and Panel’ Configuration," Human Engineering, AFSC DH 1-3, (Jannary 1, 1969), 4 =28+ANTHROPOMETRY OF WORK POSITION (skaTEDp)* FIGURE &3:, DISTANCE FROM “BYE TO DISPLAY AND CONTROL AREA 2 2 < gE Wx. BES 458 ROTATION 25°. 2a a { Y 3 4% 7 t 31 HORIZONTAL LINE + ree OF SIGHT (als) B = ‘ " FUNOMIONAL [778 FUNCTIONAL ARK es Coe REACH REF. POINT bo5.5 15° VISUAL ZONE —a. oar 3 eS ae Zz PERCENTILE xg REST LINE oe ree ie (SITTING) | _—SUnCTIONAL AtGi PERCENTILE 8 : REACH (5th PERCH 3 - \ j 30° “BELOW Soe 7 ree a NEVIRAL SEAT REF. POIND Poe MAX. EXE ROTATION— 7 : 35° 4 ® fe 2 ee fog FUNCTIONAL ARM“ aS - REACH (95th => re PERCENTILE) = 125 eee Sip. HEEL RIS? — TINEa FIGUHS 44. ANTHROPOMETRY. OF WORK POSITION DISTANCE FROM EYE 10 DISPLAY AND CONTROL AREA 24 22 IO 259 WAX ae r ROTATION oa Ay HLS (95th PERCENITLE) ils (Sth PERCENTH OPTIMUM, PROJECTED, ‘VISUAL ZONE 10° NORMAL EYE REST i Line (STANDING) 29.7 (th [V7 PERCENTILE. FUNCTIONAL, 35° MAX. EYE POSITION, i 35° MAX EYE ROTATION. Human Engineering, op, cit.) )p. 2. -28(@)-Figure 4-5. THE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM =30-A dead man alert device is sometimes recommended in order to alert the station or district if the dispatcher is taken ill and cannot receive calis.4> Security. The communications center should command a clear view of entrance doors.*® If the communications center has a window exposed to the outside, it is sometimes advisable to use bulletproof glass. Maintenance. The communications center should be easy to clean and maintain, Comfort. A dispatcher in a communications center will generally spend most of the workday or shift within that space. Provisions should be made for the dispatcher's comfort. If the dispatcher is to be quartered within the communications center, some means of privacy should be provided. III, Dayroom ‘The dayroom is usually very spacious since it is some- times used as a training room and meeting room as well as be- ing the fire station lounge. In a small community volunteer fire station, the dayroom is occasionally used by the public as well as volunteer firemen.*7 Furnishing and equipment allocations. Furnishings within the dayroom should be confortable as well as durable. Normal furnishings include lounge chairs, tables, television, radio and reading lamps. sateStorage. Adequate storage space should be available within or adjacent to the dayroom for extra chairs, tables and other furnishings and equipment. Dimensions. The size of the dayroom will be dependent upon the maximum number of men on duty at any one time plus a factor for public use, if any is expected. A minimum of 15 square feet per occupant is required.*® Ventilation. A good, quiet ventilating system should be provided for the dayroom in order to remove smoke and heat when a large assembly is he1d.4? Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6. Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. Yellow hues can be used in the dayroom to add a tone of cheerfulness and warm conviviality. Complementary accents are recommended for use in the dayroom as they will add an excitement of a low key which is desirable in this area. High value contrast and high color intensity is reconmended.°? Safety. Exits should be large enough to safely handle the maximum occupancy load and located so as to minimize con- gestion during an alarm. Maintenance. All surfaces should be easy to clean and maintain.a ee nlIV. Classroom Every fire station should have a space that can serve as a classroom or lecture area.° This room is used for holding training classes, meetings, lectures, and other re- lated activities .>? Furnishings and equipment allocations. School type chair-desks should be provided in the fire station's class- room. A télevision outlet, blackboard, electric clock outlet and projection screen should be provided. Since training films will be shown in the classroom, some method of blacking out windows should be provided.>? Electrical outlets should be provided in locations that will eliminate the need for ex- tension cords for movie cameras, slide projectors and overhead projectors .>4 Storage. Adequate storage space should be provided for projection equipment, extra chairs and instructional aids. Dimensions. The size of this room will be dependent upon the maximum number of firemen per shift. A minimum of 20 square feet per occupant is required.°> Ventilation. A good, quiet ventilating system should be provided in order to remove smoke and heat when classes are in session. Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6. -34-Figure 4-7. THE CLASSROOM e ~35-Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color, The dominant color used in the classroom is white in order to ease visual tasks which may be required. Subdominant and subordinate blue can also be used since they are less distracting than warm hues and provide feelings associated with contemplativeness. The function of this area would best be served by a low color intensity and value con- trast since it would be the least distracting. © Safety. Exits should be large enough to safely handle the maximum occupancy load and located so as to minimize con- gestion during an alarm. Maintenance. All surfaces should be easy to clean and maintain. Vv. Library An area or space should be provided for a fire station library where fire science books, manuals, journals and perio-~ dicals can be stored. The library will be used by firemen for study and reference. Furnishings, equipment and storage allocations. Tables and chairs, shelving, reading lamps, files and tack board. Dimensions. The size of the library will be dependent on the number of books and manuals expected to be stored in the library and the number of reading tables and chairs desired A minimum of 50 square feet per occupant is required.5” -36-| | Sn ee Be Te : | \ $ . _ + Figure 4-8, THE LIBRARY-STUDY ROOM Sa%eVentilation. A good, quiet ventilating system should be provided to circulate air and remove smoke. Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination, See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6 Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4. White should be the dominant color in the li- Color, brary in order to maximize seeing efficiency. Blue hues should be used as subdominant and subordinate colors since they tend to create a feeling of relaxation and contemplation Color intensities in the library should be muted and value con- tract low.5® Maintenance. All surfaces should be easy to clean and maintain. Convenience. Library material should be well organized. VI. Recreation Area A recreation area or room should be provided within or outside a fire station. This space is used by firemen) for rest, relaxation and physical conditioning. Generally accepted forms of recreation are weight training, handball, tables games, pool and various outdoor sports. Table 4-9 provides information on other leisure activities. Handball courts are considered a good fire station recreational activity and cur- rently, approximately one-half of all existing fire stations in Los Angeles have handball courts.°? ‘Though sometimes -38-‘THE HANDBALL COURTcostly, a good recreational area is a cheap price to pay for high morale.® Ventilation. A ventilation system should be provided to circulate air and remove smoke. Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6 Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. Orange and orange-red colors can be used in a recreation area to enhance feelings of excitement and low responsibility. Value contrast should be high and colors used should be of a high intensity. The use of strong color complements is recommended. °! Maintenance, All surfaces should be durable and easy to maintain. VII. Workshop The fire station workshop is used primarily to repair fire department equipment and apparatus. The repair shop is sometimes used to manufacture replacement parts which are un- available elsewhere. Furnishings, equipment and storage allocations. The workshop should contain adequate storage cabinets, shelving, workbench, vice, air compressor, drill press, hoist or lift, hand tools and welding equipment. A 240 volt outlet should be provided in the workshop as well as an adequate number =40-‘THE WORKROOM Figure 4-10. “41-of 120 volt outlets. Storage lockers should also be provided for lubricants. °? Dimensions. Areas will vary with a fire department's needs. Ventilation. A ventilation system should be provided in the workshop in order to remove dust and smoke. Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination, See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6. Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. Blue color schemes are recommended for the workshop. The dominant color should be white in order to pro- vide adequate lighting for visual tasks.; Blue is recommended due to the relaxed, contemplative emotions it suggests. "This color scheme will make time seem to pass more rapidly than other schemes which might be employed. Low value contrast and moderate color intensity is recommended as it will be the least distracting. "°* Safety. A fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be provided in the workshop. Maintenance. All surfaces should be durable and easy to maintain. VIII. Dining Room A space should be provided in a fire station where fire- men can gather and eat their meals. The dining room is also frequently used during coffee breaks. ~42-Furnishings and equipment allocations. Table and chairs. Dimensions. The size of a fire station's dining room will be dependent upon the maximum number of men on duty per shift. A minimum of 15 square feet per occupant is required. ® Ventilation. A ventilation system should be provided to circulate air and remove smoke. Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6. Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. Yellow hues should’be used in the dining room in order to provide a cheering and warm feeling since this area may be basically described as a social area. Color in- tensities in the dining room should be medium to accentuate the low responsibility of this area. Grayed valued should be avoided in the dining room. °° Safety. Exits should be located to minimize conges- tion during an alarm. Maintenance, All surfaces should be easy to clean and maintain. IX. Kitchen A fire station kitchen should be well equipped so that firemen will be able to prepare all their meals at the fire station. In a volunteer fire station, the kitchen is ~47-primarily used during group meetings and social gatherings. Furnishings and equipment allocations. Recommended equipment for a fire station's kitchen "should include every modern appliance and convenience found in the best equipped home."'67 Standard kitchen equipment includes a refrigerator, gas range, ventilating hood, dishwasher, garbage disposal unit and double sink.°® an adequate number of electric out- lets should be provided. Storage. Ampel storage space should be provided in the kitchen, either in the form of food storage cabinets® or a pantry.”° Cabinet space should be provided for dishes and cookware.” Dimensions. The area of the kitchen is based on the number of men served at any one time. "If a combined kitchen and lunch room is planned, floor area requirement should be figured at about 40 square feet per man per shift.’ The standard height for the kitchen sink of 38 inches.7> Ventilation. A mechanical ventilation system should be provided over the kitchen range. Acoustic considerations. See table 4-2. Illumination. See tables 4-3, 4-4 and 4-6. Mood desired. See tables 4-5, 4-6 and 4-7. Color. White is recommended for storage cabinets due to the connotation of cleanliness that white implies. Light ~48-Figure 4-12, THE KITCHEN ~49-color value should be used since lighting levels are high.”4 Safety. Hoods and exhaust vent ducts over cooking ranges are considered a fire hazard due to the accumulation of grease in the interior of the duct.7° a portable carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinquisher should be located in the kitchen in case of fire.7° Maintenance. The kitchen and all equipment within it should be easy to clean and maintain. Kitchen flooring material should be grease proof. The Los Angeles Fire Depart- ment recommends the kitchen sink be made of stainless steel.’7 Security. In fire stations where each fireman is re~ quired to supply his own food, individual food lockers equipped with locks should be provided in order to minimize pilfering. X. Dormitory The ideal dormitory design is to provide private sleeping quarters for all personnel, regardless of rank.78 In fire stations, it is customary to provide only command officers with private sleeping quarters, line officers with semi-private sleeping quarters and firemen are usually grouped together in one large dormitory. Careful consideration should be given to psychological factors and individual behavioral patterns in the design of sleeping quarters for more than one man. A fundamental need in man that must. be considered in’ dormitory design is the =50-