SYDENHAM FIRE STATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18487, 15 September 1925, Page 15

SYDENHAM FIRE STATION.

1 NEED FOR NEW BUILDING. CITY ENGINEER'S VIEWS. The following report concerning the Sydenham Fire Station, which was prepared by the City Engineer, Mr A. R. Galbraith, on July 30th, was received at last night's meeting of the Citv Council and released for publication : Preliminary: In accordance with your, instructions of the 27th instant, herewith submitted for your information and consideration, is my report upon the above concerning (a) the suitability of the station for present requirements, including provision of space-for a second fire engine, and (b) the possibility of a third storey being erected on the library portion of the building. (a) . Suitability for present, requirements, etc.: Existing accommodation vide ground and first floor plans attached, provides for four single men downstairs and one married man and familv upstairs; in addition to these to meet present requirements, accommodation for another four single men is required, a married man at present living in the cottage outside, and one extra fire engine. Reference to plans will manifestly ! show that it is quite impossible to accomplish this in the building as existing, so that the premises are not suited for present requirements. (b) Possibility of a third storey being'erected: This involves the question of the thicknesses and lengths of the existing-.walls and their strength for such purpose, and the regulations for a space in relation to living quarters. In both these important respects the requirements of the Council's bylaws cannot be met with. Considerations involved: In the design of fire stations, one of the principal considerations is celerity in manning and dispatching the fire engines. To effect this the two-storey building has the advantage of having quarters right over the engine station so that the engines are instantly available. Any additional storey means appreciable loss of time in dispatch, wlucn may be most serious. In important stations in rapidly growing districts where both married and single men are employed, the two classes must be kept entirely separate,. . " •Conclusion: Having due regard to the exigencies of this particular problem, as briefly stated, it as ?«*»*£ and more economical proposition to erect a new station than to attempt to alter the present one.