South Iredell Fire-Rescue Fire Training Complex

Additional Info

Award Winner : United Rentals - Storage & Office Solutions

Architectural Excellence : Pac-Van provided seven 40’ shipping containers for the South Iredell Fire Department for a training complex. The facility is 3-stories and replicates a 2-story house with attic. One container was cut in half to create a balcony. Equipped with a burn room on the first level, the facility is able to house a controlled fire. The burn room includes 12-gauge diamond plate steel floors, walls, ceiling and door. 2000-degree caulk was used between the diamond plate steel sheets and the burn room is painted with fire resistant paint. There is a steel burn tray with a drain and a cast-iron drain line that leads to the exterior. A covered vent on the exterior wall was added to alleviate heat in the event it builds too high. Operable cargo doors allow for easy cleanup. The second level is divided into 3 rooms with a door that leads to a balcony. There is an attic access door where a ladder can be used for entry. There is an exterior door on the 2nd level that leads to an exterior staircase.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : Cost effectiveness is primarily achieved through the use of converting used shipping containers. Leftover container parts created window coverings and container door handles were recycled as exterior window cover operating levers. The containers will at times be too hot to touch with bare hands, so the levers create a way to open and close the windows without having to touch the window covers directly and possibly being burnt.

Occupied Date : 6/23/2020

Owner Firm Name : South Iredell Fire-Rescue

Production Start Date : 4/29/2020

Project Location City : Mooresville

Project Location State Name : NC

Technical Innovation : A crew of 3 welders were utilized offsite to cut window openings & doorways, cut & install steel for the burn room, install doors, fabricate and install the interior stairway. Offsite, we were able to stack the containers using a forklift and use container corner locks to give an exact idea of how it would be assembled on-site. For the second story container which was cut in half, we were able to use spare parts from the other half that was not being utilized and created hinged window covers out of the excess corrugated steel. Several “break-out windows have been installed in which glass panes can be installed to replicate breaking windows to access homes under fire.

Total Square Feet : 2240