One of the country’s first all-electric fire stations will use no outside energy sources

Charlotte, N.C.’s new Fire Station #30 will be one of the country’s first all-electric fire stations, using no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the fire trucks. Multiple energy sources will power the station, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells. The two-story building features three truck bays, two fire poles, dispatch area, contamination room, and gear storage.

The $16.4 million, 14,000 sf station will be completed next fall. It will replace the original Station #30, a 1950’s-era residential home that was converted to a fire station in 1991. The new two-story building includes a fitness area with locker rooms, a kitchen and dining facility, a day room lounge, and offices for the captain and battalion chief. The second floor houses sleeping quarters and additional lockers and restrooms.

Geothermal wells will supply air conditioning as well as energy-efficient floor heating. Electric vehicle charging stations will charge the electric fire truck with additional wiring installed for future EV chargers. The site will also include two EV parking stations for employee cars.

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Core and shell construction includes the installation of new storefront systems of wall paneling and brick siding. A parking lot along with landscaping that includes tree planting is also part of the program. Throughout the project, general contractor Swinerton plans to use OpenSpace job site capturing, BIM 360 project collaboration, and drones to document construction.

Owner: City of Charlotte
Developer: Swinerton
Design architect/ Architect of record: ADW Architects
MEP engineering 
Mechanical: Action Mechanical Contractors Inc.
Electrical: Stelco Electric LLC.
Plumbing: Peters Pipers Inc.
Structural engineer: Stewart Engineering

Here is the full press release from Swinerton:
Swinerton, an industry-leading commercial general contractor with offices nationwide, announces the construction of Charlotte Fire Department Station #30, one of the first all-electric fire stations in the United States. The $16.4 million build sets a new standard for public and civic spaces across North Carolina. Construction of the 14,000-square-foot project is underway and slated to be complete fall 2025.

“Sustainability tops the list of priorities at Swinerton,” explains Kevin Smith, Vice President, Division Manager, Swinerton’s Carolinas Division. “This new fire station, which will use no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the gas-powered fire trucks, is a testament to Charlotte’s commitment to its Strategic Energy Action Plan. We hope this is the first of many partnerships with the City of Charlotte to support its pursuit of this exceptionally important goal.” Initiated in June 2018, the city resolution strives to have its fleets and facilities be fueled by 100 percent zero-carbon sources by 2030.

Located at 3019 Beam Rd. on approximately three acres in southwest Charlotte, directly across from the city’s police and fire training academy, the all-electric fire station replaces the original Station #30, a 1950’s-era residential home that was converted to a fire station in 1991. Designed by ADW Architects, the new two-story building features three truck bays with accessibility from two fire poles, a dispatch area, decontamination room and gear storage. Additional amenities include a fitness area with locker rooms, a kitchen and dining facility, a day room lounge and offices for the captain and battalion chief. The second floor houses the sleeping quarters and additional lockers and restrooms.

Multiple energy sources will power Station #30. Solar roof panels are set to power the station while geothermic wells will supply air conditioning as well as energy-efficient floor heating. Electric vehicle charging stations will charge the electric fire truck with additional wiring installed for future EV chargers. The site will also include two EV parking stations for employee cars. The city plans to seek LEED® Silver certification as a showpiece for all future public buildings. “These sustainable measures promise a tangible reduction in operational carbon emissions compared to existing fire stations,” adds Smith.

As general contractor, Swinerton is providing ground-up construction services that include pre- and post-construction site work as well as core and shell construction that includes the installation of new storefront systems of wall paneling and brick siding. A parking lot along with landscaping that includes tree plantings, concludes the construction project. Throughout the project, Swinerton plans to use some of the many technologies in its arsenal, including OpenSpace job site capturing, BIM 360 project collaboration and drones to document construction.

Since expanding to the Southeast in 2018, the Carolinas Division has constructed nearly $400 million of commercial environments. The dedicated team of 90 construction leaders specializes in corporate interiors and buildings, healthcare, education, restaurants and hospitality, multifamily and mass timber construction.