Permit application for new fire station in Delta

Karen Lalieux, the federal Minister of Pensions and responsible for Beliris, is delighted: “In this evolving neighbourhood, the new fire station will improve fire safety and emergency medical assistance. The firefighters will benefit from a high-tech facility that meets their needs, both for interventions and for on-call units.”

Pierre Menu, Deputy Commander and Deputy-Director-General of the Brussels Fire Brigade adds: This fire station design offers the right balance between comfort, efficiency and ease of maintenance. It also demonstrates the ecological commitment of the Brussels Fire Brigade and will meet the requirements for sustainable construction and energy efficiency, whit for example less energy use and reduced maintenance costs.”

Some keywords are indeed more comfort, a healthy workspace and operational efficiency. Because of its green colour that matches the university campus, the complex will also blend into its surroundings. The vegetation at the back of the plot will also be retained, so that the firefighters can enjoy some greenery and privacy.

In order to preserve the greenery around the building, the necessary functions are divided into five levels: an inner courtyard, two garages with sectional gates and a decontamination area on the ground floor; civilian and operational changing rooms for the firefighters on the 1st floor; living areas, offices and meeting rooms on the 2nd floor; sports and recreation rooms on the 3rd floor; and technical rooms on the 4th floor.

The project schedule, drawn up by Beliris and SIAMU, estimates the permit will be delivered by the end of 2021 and the start of works in 2022.

Comfort and efficiency as core values
Comfort and efficiency as core values The project takes into account both the technical requirements of an optimised departure zone for the interventions and the well-being of the teams in the fire station. The firefighters will be able to use a large kitchen, sanitary facilities for men and women, bedrooms for two instead of dormitories, a laundry room, a gym and a fitness area.

There will also be two specific mission return circuits: one for decontamination after a fire and another for decontamination of the teams and emergency equipment. The first one has been a major concern of SIAMU for several years. During a fire, intervention personnel can be exposed to hazardous substances that can adhere to clothing and equipment. Large-scale international research has shown that this contamination involves a still underestimated health risk. The new facilities will reduce the duration of exposure to harmful substances and make it easier to clean and handle contaminated clothing and equipment.

Moreover, since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the intervention and decontamination procedures of ambulances have changed significantly. Hygiene measures have been drastically increased to protect both the teams and people receiving care. Therefore specific sites for complete disinfection when ambulances return will be created.

The building will also contain an exercise tower, where firefighters can practice entering a building with different types of windows and balconies. Security cameras, access control and a fenced courtyard wil secure the complex.

With a living space for 16 firefighters that can be expanded to 20, as well as an additional ambulance and fire truck, the new fire station also anticipates the future needs of the area.

More sustainability and biodiversity
One of the main goals is to create an efficient, compact and energy-efficient building, especially by using solar panels and an air/water heat pump.

All roofs, including the parking garage, will contain greenery, with a 6 cm thick water retaining layer. This will facilitate plant maintenance, as there will be less need for watering in summer.

In order to enhance biodiversity, there will be dealt with invasive tree species and diseased trees in the area. The soil quality will be improved by making it airier and using a nutrient-rich surface. This all leads to a strong and sustainable ecosystem that requires little maintenance.

A well-thought-out water management is also essential. In order to minimise water wastage, a natural infiltration zone will be created, rainwater will be used for watering the plants and the water from the shower for flushing the toilet.

Mobility in the city
The building will be located at less than 50m from a metro station. Its courtyard and access are designed to facilitate access to the boulevard for difficult to manoeuvre intervention vehicles. A garage, mainly for service vehicles, will be set up in a green slope to maintain the continuity of the vegetation. Pedestrians and cyclists have easy access and can use a covered bicycle shed with sufficient places for all employees. Disabled persons can also access the entire building and have a reserved parking area at their disposition. Finally, the project also provides charging stations for electric vehicles.