City of Tucson Fire Station #22

Located in Tucson, AZ

Fire Station #22 houses the Battalion Chief Headquarters as well as the Technical Rescue Team, EC Captain, engine, ladder and ladder tender companies, including the potential for an alternative response vehicle.

This eight-bay station includes fifteen dormitories, a watch room, dayroom, kitchen and dining area, a study room, and a fitness room. Split apparatus bays allow the common areas to be central to each, providing convenient access for the different companies stationed there. One of the many features of this building is a hose drying tower that will also be used for training for the Technical Rescue team. The extra large rear ramps and parking areas provide space for drilling and activities such as hose and ladder testing. The seven plus acre site provides for future expansion of the station or the development of other training facilities on site.

WSM Architects worked closely with the construction manager at risk, Sundt Construction, to ensure that the project came in on time and on budget. This included regular cost-estimating during the design phases to catch problem areas early and the use of a fabricated metal building frame to shave construction time. One of the largest issues revolved around locating the large number of mechanical units that our energy goals required. The solution was to create a low-slope membrane roof between the major building masses, thereby keeping the units secure from vandals but not marring the aesthetics or placing costly dead loads on the sloped metal building roofs. This solution also allowed side wall duct penetrations, reducing the potential for future roof leaks.

Silver Award Winner for Career Stations in Fire Chief’s Station Style Design Competition. This is the first LEED Gold Fire Station in Arizona, fifth one in the nation.