The Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department is a high value/low maintenance state-of-the-art station located in Prince Frederick, Maryland. This 30,000 square-foot facility includes five drive-through apparatus bays plus a wash bay. The facility is designed to adhere to the “hot zone” concept of separating contaminated areas from clean living spaces.
Kleinfelder provided structural engineering design services; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design; and construction administration for this new fire station. The station features isolated concrete footing foundations, concrete slab-on-grade floors, and a composite steel framed second floor. The framing extends up to the roof level where a secondary steel frame supports cold-formed steel roof trusses and creates the gable roof.
The apparatus bays area of the building was designed using a prefabricated metal frame. The bays are approximately 80 feet in length and utilize an open concept design (no walls between bays). They typically house the equipment and vehicles used by the department, but they can also be used to host large banquets and events for several hundred people. To aid this functional adaptability, the mechanical/plumbing design included active air conditioning from a VRF system, air filtration units for vehicle exhaust, radiant floor heating, destratification fans, and ventilation air from a dedicated outside air system. These systems can modulate between the code required ventilation rates for both types of fire station utilizations.
The electrical design included a new 208/120V electrical utility service, relocation of an existing standby generator, and all LED lighting, which was designed to integrate with the station alert system. The fire alarm system was designed to more stringent codes associated with sleeping quarters, including carbon monoxide detection.
The facility provides training opportunities for volunteers, including a mock manhole on the second floor open to the first floor allowing for personnel to practice skills in confined-space rescues. Windows in this area on the second floor also open, allowing personnel to practice rappelling as well as lifting/lowering equipment and people from the windows.
As a community facility, the station is designed to withstand 120 mph winds in the event of storms and hurricanes. The apparatus bays also feature radiant heating in the floors and can be used for community events, receptions, and can be used as a relief shelter in an emergency. This project received awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Firehouse Magazine.
Location:
Prince Frederick, MD
Owner:
Calvert County General Services Division
