Mauldin SC Fire Department Headquarters No. 45

The Mauldin Fire Department had outgrown its existing facility and needed a new fire station “that pro­vides [them] the ability to strengthen fire protection in a growing section of the City, increase efficiencies and improve [their] capabilities for the safety and security of [their] community.” (Chief Brian McHone) Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects had previously worked with the City to design a number of their fire stations and were contracted to design the new headquarter station.

The new station was designed to meet the current and future growth of the City and the fire department.

The new facility boasts three dou­ble-loaded, drive-through apparatus bays equipped with vehicle source capture systems and multiple in-house training props. The design of the station focused on the efficiency and safety of the firefighters as they respond from and live in the sta­tion, providing seamless response pathways to the apparatus bays from the living/admin area while ensuring proper separation of the decontam­inated zone. Individual bunkrooms and single occupant toilet/showers allow for flexibility and privacy when needed while the open nature of the common areas such as the dayroom, kitchen, covered patio & fitness room provide space for fostering teamwork and social interaction.

The Headquarters contains large administration wing with multiple of­fices and also includes a large train­ing/community room for 30+ people that can be accessed directly from the main lobby for public events. The facility also includes a police sub-station within the building with direct access from the main lobby.

The station is located on a corner lot off of a busy road and includes signal preemption features to ensure quick response as the apparatus exits the site.

An on-site by-pass drive­way allows for fire apparatus to make immediate response as well as provides temporary parking for visiting appara­tus. Special care was taken to design landscape features to accentuate the building and make the site more pleasant.