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The
use of light concrete pavement greatly reduces the “heat island”
effect that normal black asphalt parking lots incur by
reflecting, instead of absorbing, heat. |
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The
building “envelope” was designed to be extremely energy
efficient. The walls are pre-cast concrete panels which have a
higher insulation value than similar wall systems. |
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Reducing water usage is a component of LEED certification. The
City has reclaimed “graywater” available that will be used at
the fire station for irrigation and landscaping. |
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Low-flow plumbing fixtures were used to reduce potable water
waste. |
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The
station has a hot water reclamation unit so hot gasses off the
air conditioning system generates free hot water. |
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The
LEED process attempts to optimize the energy performance of the
building to reduce both the amount of air-conditioning needed as
well as the electricity used. Fire Station #15 is 14% more
energy efficient than typical building of its kind. |
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The
station was built to allow natural daylight into most occupied
spaces so little or no electrical lighting is needed during the
day. |
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The
station has a lighting control system that utilizes motion
sensors to turn lights and equipment off when rooms are not
occupied. |
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Carbon
dioxide monitors will verify proper outside air volume and will
notify the occupants if there are problems or blockages. After
one year, the comfort levels of each space will be surveyed and
corrective adjustments will be made. |
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The
heating and air conditioning system was designed around a highly
flexible and controllable system. By using variable control
fans, multiple thermostats and volume boxes, individual rooms
have the ability to be at different temperatures and have
different air flows. |
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The
heating and air conditioning system was designed around a highly
flexible and controllable system. By using variable control
fans, multiple thermostats and volume boxes, individual rooms
have the ability to be at different temperatures and have
different air flows. |
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The
site design of the fire station incorporates several
environmental credits such as planning for Erosion Control to
limit off-site construction runoff, providing a high ratio of
green open space, and implementing an effective stormwater
design to handle the high rainfall storms typical of Central
Florida. |
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Native
landscaping was used around the fire station. It requires less
water. |
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Bicycle racks and showers allow the firefighters the opportunity
to use alternate forms of transportation, and convenient
fuel-efficient vehicle and carpool parking spaces reward
employees who choose those options
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The
City of Orlando has designed and constructed its new Fire Station #15 to
be a LEED Certified building. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design and is a process of rating highly efficient
buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council.