Ireland’s Approach to Fire Station Template Design

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Ireland’s Approach to Fire Station Template Design

Fire services in Ireland are delivered by 27 fire authorities, employing over 1,200 full‑time firefighters and approximately 2,500 retained firefighters. Services are provided from 215 fire stations across the country, including 15 full‑time stations, 4 mixed full‑time/retained stations, and 196 retained stations.

Local authorities are responsible for funding, staffing and managing the fire stations within their jurisdiction. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), a section within the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government, supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing operational and related guidance, and administering capital funding for priority infrastructure projects.

As part of its remit to provide guidance to fire authorities—and in conjunction with its role in providing capital funding for new fire station builds and significant redevelopment projects—the NDFEM has produced a comprehensive working‑draft guidance template for designing new facilities and developing existing fire station infrastructure.

This guidance aligns with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform’s prevailing Infrastructure Guidelines. It provides detailed direction on the capital grant‑aid application process for new fire stations, including all project stages, the procurement and appointment of professional consultants, detailed design and costing requirements, the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM), and the tender process, along with comprehensive guidance on site selection, station accommodation and layout requirements.

Site Selection

One of the fundamental elements in the successful delivery of a new fire station project is the selection of a suitable site. Site selection for a new or upgraded station involves evaluating both the suitability of the location and the development potential of the site itself. Stations should ideally have direct access to major road networks, avoid areas prone to congestion, and be conveniently located for crew mobilisation—particularly important for retained brigades. Proximity to critical risks and compliance with local planning requirements also influence the decision.

The site must meet all functional requirements, typically requiring approximately 2,000 m² for a two‑bay retained station, and must have suitable ground conditions, flood resilience, adequate utility provision and reliable communication links. Comprehensive site investigation and appropriate professional advice are often essential.

A Building with a Singular Purpose

A fire station exists to enable the rapid and safe mobilisation of firefighters and appliances to incidents, while also providing space for training, equipment maintenance and testing, administration, rest and storage. The template keeps this objective central by clearly defining the functional requirements for stations of varying scales—from two‑bay retained stations to full headquarters complexes.

The guidance is built around five core functions: ensuring fast, unobstructed emergency turnout; securely housing appliances and equipment; providing appropriate welfare facilities; enabling routine testing and maintenance; and supporting ongoing training and operational development.

Although each site has unique characteristics, the template promotes a consistent design philosophy: layouts should be standardised wherever possible, materials should prioritise durability and low maintenance, and the overall building design must support a safe, healthy working environment.

A Zoned Approach to Contamination Control

A significant modern element of fire station design is the management of contaminants—particularly products of combustion that may remain on PPE, equipment or personnel. The guidance outlines a zoning strategy dividing the station into red, yellow and green areas. While a suggested flow layout is provided, specific zoning arrangements will vary between fire authorities based on local decontamination procedures.

The key objective is to consider how each room interacts with others, how exposure risks are communicated, and how potential contamination can be minimised or eliminated.

• Red zones (“hot” areas) encompass designated spaces for cleaning and storing contaminated gear. Returning crews enter through these zones first to ensure contaminants do not migrate deeper into the station.
• Yellow zones, also known as transitional buffers, are areas where PPE is removed, washed or dried before entry into cleaner spaces.
• Green zones are protected clean areas designed to remain free of carcinogenic particulates.

Zoning can be supported through simple yet effective signage, colour‑coded floors, door frames or tile lines.

Accommodation Schedule

The document provides an accommodation schedule outlining room sizes and primary features:

Room / Space	Recommended Size (Metric)	Recommended Size (Imperial)
Appliance Bays	11 m × 4.5 m × 3.7 m high per bay	36 ft × 15 ft × 12 ft high per bay
Watch Room	≤ 16 m²	≤ 170 sq. ft.
Muster Bay	≤ 25 m²	≤ 270 sq. ft.
Drying Room	≤ 10 m²	≤ 110 sq. ft.
Sanitary / Washing Facilities	≤ 22 m²	≤ 240 sq. ft.
Multi‑Purpose Room	≤ 40 m²	≤ 430 sq. ft.
Cleaning Store	≤ 3 m²	≤ 32 sq. ft.
Plant Room	≤ 20 m²	≤ 215 sq. ft.

This results in an approximate fire station footprint of 290 m² (3,100 sq. ft.).

Notable Design Features

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Drill Yards and Towers

The drill yard should generally have a tarmacked surface, with a dished concrete wash area for appliance washing, draining to an interceptor trap located near the plant room for ease of power‑washer use. Where appropriate, a 9,000‑litre underground tank should be installed near the hydrant for pump‑testing and drill purposes. The drill yard should be secured using metal palisade fencing and typically should not exceed 1,000 m².

Modern drill towers include staggered ladders, lighting at each level and contrasting colours to support safe ladder pitching.

Forecourt and Signage

The forecourt—the area between the appliance bays and the public roadway—should be at least 10 metres deep, with gentle gradients and clear lines of sight. It serves as a crucial safety buffer for responding appliances. Landscaping should favour drought‑resistant, low‑maintenance evergreen shrubs, with minimal grassed areas to reduce upkeep requirements.

Scaling Up: Headquarters and Full‑Time Stations

The guidance also details the additional requirements for headquarters stations, which include dedicated operational, technical and administrative offices; meeting rooms; expanded training spaces; BA servicing and compressor rooms; central PPE and equipment storage; larger drill yards; and increased parking provision, including EV‑charging infrastructure.

Full‑time stations incorporate further elements such as individual study pods for personnel on shift, reflecting the increasing emphasis on continuous professional development within the modern fire service.

Typical floor plans and a 3D model of the facility have also been prepared to support the guidance documentation.

Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Clare County Council & Assistant Fire Advisor in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage