Made-to-measure brushed satin stainless steel sinks and worktops, from GEC Anderson, have been installed in the breathing apparatus rooms, kit cleaning rooms and kitchens of the new Winchester Fire Station.

The station relocated from its home of 74 years at North Walls to its new state-of-art facility in Easton Lane, Winnall, Winchester. The new five-bay fire station is operationally and strategically located on the outskirts of the city on a major access route, close to the M3. The new facility can accommodate 70-plus personnel and provides a continuously crewed facility as opposed to the previous just day-crewed arrangement, thus providing faster emergency cover over a greater area.

Freestanding worktops, totalling more than 10 metres, were installed in the breathing apparatus (BA) room and kit cleaning area of the fire station. Industrial sized sinks were included to provide an effective washing facility for the fire crew’s specialist equipment. Sarah Collins, architect for Hampshire County Council’s Property Services Department said, “The specialised sinks were chosen for their ability to cope with an environment of high usage. We wanted a material that was robust enough to take the everyday knocks and last for the lifetime of the building. GEC Anderson sinks certainly met this requirement and are performing extremely well.”

GEC Anderson high grade Made to Measure stainless steel sinks are manufactured in one continuous piece to the exact shape and size specified with no joins at the sink bowls, edges or upstands. The large sink bowls were specified from GEC Anderson’s extensive range of sizes, to provide adequate space to accommodate oxygen tanks and other items. Lipped edges were provided to prevent spillage onto the floor.

Fire Station manager, Howard Watts added, “We need extra deep sinks in the apparatus room as the equipment we use is both heavy and sizeable. Also, as we use disinfectant to wash our face masks, the sinks and draining area needed to be stain resistant.”

Two worktops were also provided for the kitchen area. Sarah Collins, said “We wanted a material that was hygienic, easy to maintain and wash down. GEC Anderson were able to provide continuous worktops, including one that is 4 metres long. GEC Anderson combination bowls were included as was a cut-out for the cooking hob”.
As well as increased and better training facilities, the fire station contains the offices of the Technical Fire Safety team who work with commercial organisations in and around Winchester to reduce risk. The station is also available for partner organisations to use and houses a new Road Safety centre which is staffed by instructors from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's world-class extrication team.

The Winchester facility is a beacon of modernity and an example of how environmentally friendly practices can be adopted in fire stations. The facility benefits from cutting edge, eco-friendly technology, including ground source heat pumping, solar panels, photo-voltaic panels and a rainwater harvesting system. All of these have helped Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service achieve an “Excellent” BREEAM accreditation
Chief Officer John Bonney said: "This station represents part of our contribution to the important work of making Winchester and Hampshire a thriving low carbon economy. This station is a striking example of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's commitment to 'going green'.”

The building was constructed by the Leadbitter Group, on behalf of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS). Hampshire County Council Property Services designed the complex within a budget of £4million. Winchester fire fighters have been involved in every stage of the design and development of their new station and we are all delighted with the end result. GEC Anderson has worked with both Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Leadbitter Group previously.