Government
New Short Pump Firehouse receives Gold rating for environmentally friendly design
Based on its overall design, Firehouse 19 is projected to use 27 percent less energy than it would have if it had been built to minimum code standards. The building features controllable LED lighting to limit energy use and low-emitting building materials to protect indoor air quality.
Short Pump’s new Firehouse 19 has earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its environmentally friendly design and construction, it was announced recently.
Firehouse 19 represents the 16th Henrico County government or school building to earn LEED certification since 2011. It also is the county’s seventh to be recognized at the Gold level — the second highest class of certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the recognized standard for excellence in green building.
“Henrico County is proud to add to its inventory of buildings intentionally designed for energy efficiency and sustainability,” said John H. Neal Jr., director of the Department of General Services, which oversees the planning, design, and construction of county facilities. “These buildings underscore Henrico’s commitment to providing facilities that meet our day-to-day operational needs while also serving the long-term best interests of our employees, taxpayers, and the environment.”
Firehouse 19, which encompasses 11,000 square feet, opened last March on a four-acre site northwest of Kain and North Gayton roads. The facility qualified for LEED status based on its adherence to design and construction requirements across a variety of categories: site sustainability; water efficiency; energy efficiency; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation.
Based on its overall design, Firehouse 19 is projected to use 27 percent less energy than it would have if it had been built to minimum code standards. The building features controllable LED lighting to limit energy use and low-emitting building materials to protect indoor air quality. In addition, low-flow plumbing fixtures are estimated to save almost 60,000 gallons of water per year compared to standard fixtures.
Other aspects of the project limited its overall impact on the environment. An estimated 35 percent of building materials used in the project were sourced and manufactured in the region. In addition, 88 percent of its construction waste was reused or recycled, minimizing the impact on area landfills.
