The Firehouse Garage

[67speeda]

So I got thrown into planning a pole garage for the firehouse in New Jersey. This is not the main firehouse but will serve for temporary housing for 3 trucks and well as various equipment.

The trucks are 34’, 38’, and 47’ long so the building would have to have 3 bays.

Looking for opinions on insulation, lighting, building design, heating (gas available), concrete floor thickness, etc.

I thought it was a neat project and would be fun to get the input from the forum.

Budget $80,000

Already contacted Pioneer, Conestoga, and few others. I will need three bids regardless but need to make up a spec first.

I am assuming three 12’ x 14’ doors so the width would have to be about 50’ and the length would have to be 60’.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If the building is just for storing the trucks while not in use, and no maintenance or upkeep is planned, your heating and electrical requirements are going to be fairly minimal - just keep it above freezing, and enough lighting for safe access to the trucks when they get a call for a fire. I think an overhead gas radiant tube heater would be appropriate. Do the trucks have plug in block heaters or battery chargers? I've seen where some fire vehicles have quick disconnect electrical connections for shore power, if they have that you need to get the appropriate mating plugs. Will there be any washing requirements, if so you need to bring in water. Since it's a municipal building it should look nice, but it doesn't have to be lavish. Are there any security requirements, for door switches or motion sensors? I imagine good electric door openers are a must, will they back the trucks in or will the building have doors on both ends so they can drive in from one end and then out the other?

 

[driftpin]

Are you planning to store bunker gear in there? Recent research shows that the diesel exhaust can cause health issues when bunker gear is stored in the same room as the trucks. Also, having food storage or an icemaker in the same bay as the engines is not something that should be done either.

Departments in south Florida are going to side-hinge bay doors instead of overhead doors. The Florida Building Code requires the building to withstand 175 mph gusts in HVHZ (high velocity hurricane zone) areas, which is pretty-much the entire coast, and a distance inland.

Auto-disconnect shore power fixtures are probably something to be sure you spec. Is it going to be only vehicles, or is there going to be a workshop, a cascade system, tool storage? All these have their own considerations.

Will there be a mezzanine for storage?

I suggest taking a digital camera, and visiting area stations, to document features you like, and those you don't. Prioritize, and see what you can get for your budget.

You also might want to plan for future expansion.

 

[captain14]

is this Going to be a substation or temporary facilities while the main
Station is under going renovation?

Get the Doors as big as you can. Leave room to work on all sides of the apparatus while inside. How many man doors?

 

[67speeda]

Very sorry for late reply. Work has me very busy with OT and extra work.

If the building is just for storing the trucks while not in use, and no maintenance or upkeep is planned, your heating and electrical requirements are going to be fairly minimal - just keep it above freezing, and enough lighting for safe access to the trucks when they get a call for a fire. I think an overhead gas radiant tube heater would be appropriate. Do the trucks have plug in block heaters or battery chargers? I've seen where some fire vehicles have quick disconnect electrical connections for shore power, if they have that you need to get the appropriate mating plugs. Will there be any washing requirements, if so you need to bring in water. Since it's a municipal building it should look nice, but it doesn't have to be lavish. Are there any security requirements, for door switches or motion sensors? I imagine good electric door openers are a must, will they back the trucks in or will the building have doors on both ends so they can drive in from one end and then out the other?

The building is going to be for storing the three trucks until the new building is (hopefully) approved and built. It will need lighting and heat to keep the pumps/tanks for freezing in the winter.

No washing requirements, main station is on the same property

All trucks will need shore power/wiring.

Electric door openers are not that important. Manual will work but that is a large door. budget will likely dictate. There will only be 3 doors and trucks will back in.

 

[67speeda]

Are you planning to store bunker gear in there? Recent research shows that the diesel exhaust can cause health issues when bunker gear is stored in the same room as the trucks. Also, having food storage or an icemaker in the same bay as the engines is not something that should be done either.

Departments in south Florida are going to side-hinge bay doors instead of overhead doors. The Florida Building Code requires the building to withstand 175 mph gusts in HVHZ (high velocity hurricane zone) areas, which is pretty-much the entire coast, and a distance inland.

Auto-disconnect shore power fixtures are probably something to be sure you spec. Is it going to be only vehicles, or is there going to be a workshop, a cascade system, tool storage? All these have their own considerations.

Will there be a mezzanine for storage?

I suggest taking a digital camera, and visiting area stations, to document features you like, and those you don't. Prioritize, and see what you can get for your budget.

You also might want to plan for future expansion.

again, great questions.

No bunker gear. Worse case we will have an exhaust gas system installed (grant money) if needed.

This is temporary housing for 3 trucks until the new station is complete and all 8 trucks can go together (will eventually reduce to 6 or 7). Once that happens this will house the antique trucks and spare equipment storage to keep main station clean and organized.