The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy facility is a model of sustainability, using less energy than the original facility (in spite of being 150% larger), using water saving fixtures, reusing rainwater for non-potable purposes, and deriving approximately 7% of the facility’s energy from solar power. The design of the new facility included a new 34,000-square-foot administration building, a new 31,400-square-foot training fire station, a new 15,300-square-foot warehouse, and the renovation and 11,000-square-foot expansion of the existing academy building to accommodate training and maintenance needs and to create an assembly area for graduation and conferences.
Nitsch performed an evaluation of the existing site utilities for the certified study for the Phase II Expansion of the Massachusetts Fire Fighting Academy facilities, which included investigating alternatives for water and sewer facilities. We met with abutting towns to determine availability of water and sewer services. Nitsch analyzed the proposed sewer flows and investigated onsite subsurface disposal and alternative wastewater treatment facilities.
We designed the site improvements for the design phase of the project, which include new driveways and walkways, additional parking spaces, a new water line to a connection to Sudbury, a vehicle-washing station that recycles and reuses wash water, and low impact development components including bioretention areas. Nitsch also assisted with the LEED Gold Certification process for the project.
The project won an American Council of Engineering Companies/MA Engineering Excellence 2013 Silver Award.
Key Collaborators
Architect: DiMella Shaffer
Contractor: Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
Landscape Architect: Leonard Design Associates
MEP Engineer: RDK
Structural Engineer: Lim Consultants, Inc.
Solar Consultant: Solar Design Associates, Inc.
