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Over the next 14-months, the urban landscape of a North East town will change dramatically as a new eco tri-station is being built by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority in the heart of Hebburn, South Tyneside.
The exciting two-storey multi-functional facility is, we believe, set to become the first of its kind anywhere in the country: it will be completely carbon neutral and provide a major new emergency service hub for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service all operating under the one roof.
The Hebburn Tri-Station will replace the current Hebburn Community Fire Station that has proudly served the local area since 1965. It was recognised that the station is out-dated, inefficient, and no longer fit for purpose; it doesn’t meet the future requirements of the services and of the local community.
Collaborative approach to energy efficiency
There are so many sustainability aspects of the new £10m station and it’s been great to see a multi-agency approach towards creating this unique environmentally friendly building. We’ve designed the fabric of the building to satisfy the requirements of all three emergency services with one eye on it being carbon neutral and energy efficient.
The concept of the amalgamation came during high level strategic meetings between representatives from the Collaborative Joint Delivery Group comprising representatives of blue light services and public bodies across the region. This is where the possibilities of a co-location venture in Hebburn were first discussed. Once the principal objectives were agreed, all three services decided there was a need in that part of Hebburn and Jarrow for a combined facility to serve and keep the public safe.
“Not only is the Hebburn Tri-Station project showing our dedication to the environment and sustainability for the future, but it will greatly improve our response to the public and build on existing collaboration with other blue light partners in the region. This exciting initiative is another great example of partnership working in the area and will allow us to strengthen our working relationships under one roof.”
Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce from Northumbria Police.
Future resilience
The planning permission for the project was given the green light in July 2022 by the Planning Committee at South Tyneside Council. The chosen plot, a stone’s throw from the town centre, provided is the ideal location to give all three services resilience for the years ahead.
Sustainability, saving energy and caring for the environment are the core values being implemented throughout the design, construction, finish and delivery of the Tri-Station. We decided that all our future capital projects would incorporate the ethics of our carbon neutral vision and be viewed based on being totally energy efficient. For Hebburn we have adopted this new approach with its energy strategy introducing key themes.
A carbon neutral vision
The first theme is Be Lean. By looking at the fabric of the building including the walls, the floors, the roof, and the structure. Making it all as energy efficient and thermal efficient as possible. Then we are focused on Be Clean by looking at onsite energy demands and usage.
The Be Green theme is identifying that any self-generated energy should come from reliable green sources. For example, from the ground source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels on the roof. Or, if bought-in energy supplies are required to support the self-generated energy, then green energy suppliers will be located.
The Tri-Station’s heating and hot water requirements, whether showers, hand basins or radiators, will be supported with the use of the energy derived from the photovoltaic panels and ground source heat pumps (GSHP). The Glycol in the GSHP is heated to a minimum temperature of 15 degrees all year round, and the thermal energy generated is used in connection with a compressor and heat exchanger to provide sufficiently hot water to satisfy the demands of the station.
Our third theme is Be Seen. Essentially this involves educating the Tri-Station staff about the environmental makeup of the building. This could be making sure that the lights are turned off when they aren’t in use. Or, to install passive infrared sensor lights so they automatically turn off if the room isn’t occupied.
The whole point of the Be Seen strategy is that if you don’t need the light then don’t switch it on. By keeping everything to the bare minimum you minimise the use of the generated power, saving energy, saving costs and helping to save the environment.
Share and share alike
And finally, we have, Share and Share Alike. The facility is fully inclusive in every respect. From accessibility to services, through to the cultural and interactive aspects of the station. Pretty much everything is covered. The building has been designed to make it a fully collaborative and integrated environment.
There are cross overs where all service personnel will use the same recreational and communal facilities including the canteen, showering and locker rooms, rest rooms, gymnasium, and front reception. The only separate areas will be the individual office spaces where elements of sensitivity need to be maintained by each blue light service.
Minimise spread of contaminants
The Tri-Station has adopted a DECON traffic light system for the foot traffic throughout the station. Essentially there are red, amber and green zones. The red area is deemed to be the contaminated environment. This is where the fire appliances, ambulances and police vehicles arrive on to the station after attending an incident.
We have located the showers so they will be positioned immediately near to the cleaning rooms, where the kit can be taken straight from the appliances and put into the special DECON washing machines. This will help us to implement our scheme for operational staff returning from incidents to ‘shower within the hour’ and keep the volume of contaminants that could have been spread through the station to an absolute minimum. The amber areas are where the firefighters will put on their clean clothing and kit, which in turn leads through to the green clean areas.
Future proofing
Hebburn will eventually be home to up to 90 staff from across all three services. The steel framed structure will be highly insulated with a flat roof and floor slabs that create a thermally efficient envelope. Outside we will have electric vehicle charging points that can be used by all service vehicles, this is an important aspect of future proofing the location as we move towards the 2030 deadline where petrol and diesel vehicles will no longer be on sale.
“It’s really exciting to be part of this project and see the Hebburn Tri-Station develop. This will make a huge difference to both the residents of Hebburn and the region. The building demonstrates our commitment to the environment and is set to be beneficial for years to come.”
Darren Green, Head of Operations Central Division at the North East Ambulance Service.
Drawing on expertise from partners
Sunderland City Council is the lead authority for TWFRS, which means the service can tap into its expertise as part of the overall project. We have been working with the capital projects team and drawing on expertise from its infrastructure and regeneration team as well.
Together, the teams have helped to steer the Tri-Station project through the initial stages including site acquisition, design, legal processes, cost analysis, procurement of specialist guidance for the mechanical, electrical and carbon neutral specialist designs. They use the Royal Institute of British Architects plan of work that goes from inception through to the handover of keys. They will also assist with the onsite management and quality control until the delivery of the project next year.
Andy Radcliffe is the Chief Executive of Esh Construction, the chosen contractor for the project. He calls the scheme pioneering and one that can lead the way for sustainable blue light buildings.
“At Esh we pride ourselves on creating a legacy in the communities surrounding our construction sites. As such, we will harness the benefits of our strong regional presence to deliver a wealth of social value initiatives which includes re-investing more than 65 per cent of the project spend within Tyne and Wear by drawing on local labour and suppliers.”
Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Esh Construction.
The Hebburn Tri-Station is expected to open its doors and start to serve the local community in the Spring of 2024.