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15 June 2023
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Fire stations of the world: London Fire Brigade’s Orpington Fire Station, UK
The UK’s Orpington officially opened its new fire station in Avalon Road, Orpington in south east London, within the London Borough of Bromley, replacing the 1958 building on 17 February 2016. Built by Blue3 (a Kier led consortium), the new state-of-the-art building provides crews with brand new facilities fit for the 21st Century. Construction of the temporary fire station began in September 2013; work on the new station began in January 2014 and was completed in 2015. The construction project is part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project that sees nine London fire stations coming to the end of their life, replaced by brand new buildings. Borough Commander Daniel Cartwright, said, "This brand new fire station is good news for the local community. The former Orpington Fire Station no longer met the demands of a modern fire and rescue service.”
"The new station will provide us with facilities fit for the 21st century and reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible service to Londoners," he added.
Station features
The rebuilt station features areas within the station that the public can visit to access important fire safety information, as well as a community room available for bookings.
There is also a larger appliance bay. It also houses a station office, lecture and quiet study rooms and a kitchen and dining area for fire fighters. There are also separate shower, changing and resting areas that can be modified to accommodate the different male to female ratio on each watch.
Following the move into the new station, the final stages of the construction will be progressed with the removal of the temporary station from the rear yard and the construction of the four storey training tower.
Design
The design of the new fire station meets the highest environmental standards, as well as providing a high level of natural light, the building draws energy for power and heating from renewable sources including a combined heat and power unit and solar panels. The building also reduces energy and water demands, cutting running costs and contributing to the Brigade’s overall environmental performance.
Fire fighters began operating from their newly built station in July 2015, with one crew having worked from a temporary station built at the rear of the existing site, since January 2014. The other crew and their engine were being hosted at Beckenham Fire Station.
Sources: London Fire Brigade
"The new station will provide us with facilities fit for the 21st century and reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible service to Londoners," he added.
Station features
The rebuilt station features areas within the station that the public can visit to access important fire safety information, as well as a community room available for bookings.
There is also a larger appliance bay. It also houses a station office, lecture and quiet study rooms and a kitchen and dining area for fire fighters. There are also separate shower, changing and resting areas that can be modified to accommodate the different male to female ratio on each watch.
Following the move into the new station, the final stages of the construction will be progressed with the removal of the temporary station from the rear yard and the construction of the four storey training tower.
Design
The design of the new fire station meets the highest environmental standards, as well as providing a high level of natural light, the building draws energy for power and heating from renewable sources including a combined heat and power unit and solar panels. The building also reduces energy and water demands, cutting running costs and contributing to the Brigade’s overall environmental performance.
Fire fighters began operating from their newly built station in July 2015, with one crew having worked from a temporary station built at the rear of the existing site, since January 2014. The other crew and their engine were being hosted at Beckenham Fire Station.
Sources: London Fire Brigade