Springvale Station Assessment Report

In 2020, Mitchell Associates and WBRC Architects conducted an Existing Conditions and Functional Assessment of the Springvale and Central Fire Stations. Below is a summary excerpt of the findings, with the full report available HERE

Safe Working Conditions

• Contamination Risk:

  • Lack of hot and cold zone separation allows airborne carcinogens to contaminate living and administrative spaces, violating NFPA 1500.
  • Inadequate ventilation in the apparatus bay exacerbates exposure risks.

• Overhead Door and Clearance Issues:

  • Original station doors are barely wider (10’) than vehicles; additional doors (12’x12’) are sub-standard.
  • Inadequate clearance around equipment poses safety risks (pictures 1-3).

• Storage and Cleanliness:

  • Insufficient storage leads to clutter, trip hazards, and sanitation challenges (pictures 4-14).

• Exhaust and Drainage Deficiencies:

  • No emergency CO exhaust system and absence of floor drains in the original building apparatus bay.

• Operational Limitations:

  • Non-drive-thru bays and limited overhead door width make backing apparatus into the station dangerous.
  • Steep stairs to basement storage and lack of secondary egress are significant hazards.

Proper Care of Equipment & Decontamination

• Inadequate PPE Storage and Decontamination:
  • PPE exposed to UV light in the apparatus bay, causing degradation (picture 30).
  • Only a residential washer and dryer available for decontamination.
  • Bathrooms and showers are not in the hot zone, causing cross-contamination in living quarters.

Living Quarters

• Health and Safety Risks:

  • Contaminants from the apparatus bay infiltrate living quarters, increasing cancer and germ contamination risks.
  • Kitchen is old and unsanitary; bunk rooms are noisy and not conducive to sleep.
  • Single bathroom lacks gender equity; non-compliant with ADA and ANSI standards (pictures 15 & 16).

• Egress and Ventilation Concerns:

  • Single means of egress is a violation; heating system is in an unrated, unventilated closet (picture 21).
  • Rodents present in living space; no mechanical ventilation (picture 19).

Offices and Training

• Lack of Facilities:
  • No offices or training facilities available.

Site Conditions

• Parking and Maintenance Limitations:
  • All bays are back-in only; front apron is insufficient for outdoor maintenance, requiring street-level traffic control (picture 22).
  • Only 4 parking spaces; 8-10 needed plus visitor parking (picture 23).
  • No space for mutual aid apparatus, training, or recreation.
  • Ponding water causes unsafe ice conditions.

General Conditions

• Building Condition:
  • Building is in fair to poor condition; water seeps into the basement, dripping on equipment (picture 20).

Compliance Issues

• Regulatory Violations:
  • Non-compliance with OSHA Consensus Standard, NFPA standards (1500, 1581, 1851, 1989, 1221), FEMA guidelines, Civil Rights Act, ADA, and state Fair Employment Statute.