Client: City of Nanaimo Location: Nanaimo, BC Size: 8,200 sf Budget: $2,675,000 Status: Completed in 2008
Protective / Emergency Services
Nanaimo Fire Station No. 4

Located in the Chase River community of Nanaimo, this satellite fire station contains living and operational quarters to accommodate the full time firefighters who work and live at the hall. The 8,300 square feet building has 3 apparatus bays, administrative offices, an SCBA servicing unit, gear storage, dormitories, a hose drying tower, workshop, kitchen and exercise room.

In maintaining design optimization for the isolation of contaminated materials, Fire Hall No. 4 includes a drench shower located at the base of the drying tower, provisions for isolating contaminated uniforms for laundering, and a commercial washer dryer located adjacent to the bunker gear storage room. These design details allow fire personnel to isolate harmful chemicals in a safe and efficient manner.
All building systems are low in energy consumption and allow the building maintenance cost to remain low. The project is registered with the CaGBC and was awarded a LEED-NC Silver certification. The station has also earned a Station Style Notable Design Award and was featured in Fire Chief Magazine in November 2009.
Utilizing the landscape

In addition to addressing innovative fire station design, the project also employs sustainable architecture within the specific programmatic needs of the Nanaimo Fire Rescue Department. For example, rainwater from the roof is collected in a large cistern and can be reused for washing fire trucks and other non-potable water uses. The building site is designed to filter rain water directly into the landscape rather than into the storm water system, naturally irrigating the surrounding trees and plants.

Natural wood and light, open spaces are designed to have a calming effect on personnel who use the spaces.

05/11/2020
Vancouver fire hall project wins Station Design Award in Shared Facilities category
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14/02/2022
Vancouver Firehall No. 5 + Housing Receives LEED Gold Certification
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02/02/2022
January 2022
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08/03/2021
International Women’s Day: Celebrating women in architecture
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27/01/2021
New High Acuity Unit at St. Paul’s completed
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