Newfield Construction acted as the Construction Manager at Risk for the City of Norwalk’s new 30,000sf Fire Headquarters Facility Project. The new building includes space for apparatus, response functions, 30 administrative offices, Fire Prevention Division, Emergency Operations Center, firefighter living quarters, and an indoor training facility.
The project’s first phases included relocating existing personnel and equipment to temporary facilities, demolishing the current structure, and building the new fire headquarters on the same site. Construction included all utilities. This challenging location is between I-95 and Route 1, requiring an intricate site logistics plan.
The building houses the City of Norwalk’s EOC and the relocated City data center. Voice and data network hubs and security and IT systems are designed at Tier III levels ensuring multiple independent distribution paths, dual-powered IT equipment, and complete system redundancy assuring 24/7 operation regardless of outside events. In case of a catastrophic event, all key City personnel will assemble at the headquarters facility for safety, planning, and communications.
The building includes an on-site three-story training structure that mimics a residential building with residential-sized windows and door openings. A smoke machine imitates real-life conditions once the firefighters enter the “home.” A complex smoke evacuation exhaust system allows for smoke elimination in the area within 20 seconds of final drills. This exhaust system is tied into the overall building management system. When the exhaust fan is on, the media bay doors automatically open one foot creating a building vacuum that ensures efficient smoke exhaust. Adjustable walls create new floor layouts simulating an unknown residential environment. A confined space entry chamber is also included in the facility.