News & Insights
Frederick Firestone Fire Station #5: Built to serve, designed to last
Salas O’Brien partnered with the town of Frederick, CO, to design a fire station that’s not only built for the future but also overcomes the unique challenges of a historical coal mine site.
Smart solutions for a safer, stronger foundation
The town of Frederick set out to build a cutting-edge fire station that would enhance emergency response and stand the test of time. But the chosen site came with a challenge: it sat above one of the largest coal seams in the U.S., where mine subsidence (ground sinking) could pose a serious risk.
Bringing innovative thinking and deep technical expertise, Salas O’Brien took on a challenge that others wouldn’t. The team designed a unique raft foundation—an 18-inch-thick concrete slab divided into three isolated sections—to absorb movement while protecting the structure. Instead of masonry walls in the apparatus bay, which could crack under shifting soil, the team used steel frames and cold-formed metal framing with brick veneer to minimize structural damage during a subsidence event.
Through close collaboration and innovation, Salas O’Brien delivered a resilient facility designed to serve the Frederick Firestone Fire District for the next 70 years.
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