A.B. Won Pat International Airport ARFF

In May of 2012, K+A designstudios was commissioned to provide an assessment of the existing ARFF station at the referenced airport as an ARFF Specialty Consultant to SSFM International, Project Manager Rizaldy Cortez, PE, 671-646-7736. Bill Kluge, Principal Architect visited the existing facility documenting function area analysis, operational needs assessment, IBC Code information, verifying FAA AC 150/5210-15A Guidelines conformance, and Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines compliance. The existing facility was found to have major deficiencies and building maintenance issues. While on site, program information was assimilated for use in the design goal of a new ARFF that satisfies FAA facility requirements with a modern, efficient solution. In November 2013, K+A designstudios was issued a notice to proceed with the Schematic Design phase of the proposed new facility. The resulting 24,347 square foot building with circulation patterns organized to optimize response time and maintain airport operations security as a key element driving the layout. Ancillary apparatus functions are located across the bays from main floor area, shortening the response distance from dorm rooms. Six-foot wide corridors with four-foot wide doors into the apparatus area assist in the rapid response program requirement. Administration areas are placed such that only authorized personnel can access the firefighting side of the facility. The training room in this facility is also to serve as a backup Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Lobby area on the first level is limited to discourage those on site for training or use of the EOC disruptively lingering in the administration area. A lobby area is provided on the second level to accommodate occupants of the training/EOC space.  Although LEED certification was not part of this schematic design phase program, our goal in designing is to use ‘smart design’ to soften the impact of this facility on the environment. A solar study was performed and shading elements placed to optimize energy conservation. A waste recycling area is provided to encourage staff to properly dispose of waste in an earth friendly manner. Green areas are included at building perimeters where feasible rather than hard heat sink materials. Grassy swales are utilized in the site drainage plan offering organic filtration of site runoff. Natural lighting is used as much as possible in building fenestration placement. Roof guttering and collection systems shall allow for capture of rainwater that can in turn be used for site landscape irrigation. The project is currently in the funding approval phase.