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CFB Esquimalt Fire Hall

The new facility at CFB Esquimalt houses two critical operational groups – the Fire Hall and the Base Command Post. The Base Command Post is responsible for responding to environmental and civil emergencies in a post-disaster scenario and the Fire Hall provides fire fighting services for both CFB Esquimalt and the immediate surrounding communities.

The facility is designed as one building segmented by a gallery, which establishes a sense of distinctness and identity for each of the two functions. The gallery also functions as a control point for visitors and links public and private zones. The day worker environment on the west side includes offices, emergency response centre, maintenance, and storage functions. The 24/7 operational environment on the east side includes 10 drive through apparatus bays for fire-fighting equipment, turn-out gear cleaning and storage, and training and support facilities.

Because this facility is in an urban environment fronting on a major public thoroughfare, security and safety of occupants and operational capability is a major concern. The design establishes public / private / secure zones as a hierarchy of space with boundaries, and provides access control, visual and electronic monitoring, and target hardening. Electronic security is addressed by zoning critical functions and maintaining applicable setbacks.

Environmental considerations were an integral part of the design process. Numerous strategies have been selectively incorporated to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating. Strategies such as reducing energy and water consumption in building operation, selecting renewable and regional materials, enhancing the indoor air quality through exclusion of CFCs, carbon dioxide level monitoring, ventilation control (including free cooling), and maximizing the building occupants views and day-lighting to create a desirable and comfortable work environment.