LITTLEBOROUGH FIRE STATION

COMMERCIAL / LEISURE

LOCATION

Littleborough

SECTOR

Commercial

CLIENT

GMFRS

ARCHITECT

Bradshaw Gass & Hope

PROJECT VALUE

£1.8m

CONTRACT

JCT Intermediate with Contractors Design

PERIOD

Jan 2023 – Sept 2023

CONTRACT PERIOD

9 Months

THE BRIEF

This contract for the expansion of Littleborough Fire Station was awarded after a competitive tender process, and it is the 2nd contract H.H. Smith have undertaken for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. The works comprised the construction of a new single storey side extension to the existing fire station building with associated M&E installations, external works and drainage. Plus, alteration and refurbishment of the existing building and appliance bay to form new room layouts with improvements to internal finishes, windows, and doors, to enhance thermal performance. Externally; a new car park, new footpaths, fences and gates have been provided to the new community facility.

KEY POINTS

The station is located within a coal mining area which required the ground to be stabilised prior to any construction works commencing. A permit was obtained from the Coal Authority and the ground was then stabilised using the drilling and grouting method. The new extension was constructed using concrete strip footings and pad foundations with a stell structural frame, concrete floors, metal deck flat roof areas and masonry panel cavity walls. New state-of-the-art facilities were installed to manage containments that firefighters may be exposed to at incidents.

CHALLENGES

Littleborough Fire Station works closely with the local community and schools, sharing its communal gardens with local residents and students. H.H. Smith worked collaboratively with the community and adapted the programme when necessary to ensure the gardens were kept open and safe to use during the project. A change of foundation level in certain areas was required due to an existing main sewer being located near our construction zone.