Bangor, ME – The first Gold LEED certified building commissioned by the City of Bangor, and constructed by Barr & Barr Builders of Brunswick opened its bay doors in May. Bangor Fire Station #6 is a structure of technological advancement, energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint, and organized workspace.
Built using natural resources with sensitivity to their impact on the environment and neighborhood, the station provides ample capacity for fire/EMS equipment and comfortable accommodations for the firefighters and EMS crews. Satisfying the LEED goals of building green while creating occupant comfort and environmental energy conservation, the station is the first of its kind in the state.
The LEED certified “Gold” fire station has a 4,500sf apparatus bay, with sufficient room for the 105 ft. aerial/ladder truck, one 1,500 GPM Class A pumper, one 3,000 gallon tanker/pumper and two ambulances. With an internal HVAC system and an external vehicle exhaust system, the air quality in the apparatus bays exceeds both ASHRAE standards and LEED target performances.
Wide-span roof trusses eliminate interior columns and provide structural space for most of the piping and electrical services to be mounted above the ceiling, creating an unobstructed bay floor, which is illuminated by lighting on motion sensors for energy efficiency. Built to utilize green power sources, portions of the building’s power supply come from geothermal, wind, solar and hydro utility providers. The entire power system is supported by a back-up generator so the station remains fully functional in the event of a power outage.
Partnering with AMES Architects in Bangor, Barr & Barr took every technological detail into account, meeting both the firefighters’ needs and also those of the city of Bangor. The station has a technology spectrum that spans an integrated paging/alarm system to a dedicated information technology room housing a backup computer server for the entire city. Additionally, a card access security system prevents intruders from entering the station while the duty crew is out on a call. Station #6 is equipped with a National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) emergency notification alert that integrates both the modern paging from the central dispatch fiber optic lines and the time-tested Gamewell box alarm system. In addition, an 80-ft. communication tower rises above the structure providing proprietary service for this area of the city and for the Fire department’s mobile data system.
In the words of Bangor city officials, “We have appreciated the opportunity to work with (Barr & Barr) on the design-build process. They have been very responsive and open with us regarding every facet of the project. We have been able to ensure that the completed project will not only meet our needs but the needs of citizens well into the future.”
Comfortable bunkrooms for up to six firefighters utilize natural light with operational windows; have full size lockers, carpeting, customized lighting, individual thermostats and a desk and chair for personalized comfort. The exercise room equipped with the latest workout machines provides the firefighters a place to condition for their occupation’s physical demands, and doubles as a training room for the ever-evolving skill development and certifications that are a regular part of a firefighter’s regimen. The station is expandable to meet the needs of Bangor’s growing population and provides space for EMS/rescue with full male and female accommodations.
Barr & Barr hosted a “Green Education Day” at Fire Station #6. Inviting local school groups to tour the firehouse and learn about the green aspects of the new building, the event not only educated the local population and schools but also fulfilled the Community Education requirement of the LEED program. The station’s high-efficiency heating system surpasses current minimum design standards by 21%. Coupled with a high R-Value of the overall building envelope, the two systems significantly reduce heating costs to the City.
Additionally, the station has parking accommodations for low-emission vehicles, carpools, and bicycles for commuting to work. A LEED Innovation Point, was earned by going above and beyond the minimum requirements to procure materials close to the project, supporting local businesses and setting a precedent for all future projects in Bangor.
In the construction management business for over 80 years and building in the state of Maine since 1941, Barr & Barr has six LEED Accredited Professionals in Maine, providing a wealth of LEED “green” construction knowledge. Their vigorous estimating process for Station #6 created a value-engineered, quality building within budget thresholds stipulated by the City.
