Aircraft Rescue Fire-Fighting Station (ARFF)

Cranfield University is a world leading post graduate University with it’s own global research facility and Urban Observatory leading the way in digital aviation. The university is in the unique position of having it’s own airport on site.

R G Carter were appointed to deliver a replacement of the existing fire station as part of a multi-million pound investment in the university’s Aerospace and Transport Facilities.

R G Carter were selected to complete the new Fire Station, utilising previous experience of building the Agri-Informatics facility, the Aerospace Integrated Research Centre, known as AIRC and the new world class Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC).

A replacement of the existing fire station was required to bring the airport facilities up to 21st century standards and to free up the space where the existing station is so the brand new AIRC Building can be directly accessed by aircraft from the airport side.

The development provided a new engine bay, a silver command centre with kitchen facilities, a Station Officer office and meeting room, crew room facility with kitchen a social space for up to 38 staff. There is a watch room with impressive views over the airport grounds. The new station also benefits from the new toilets, showers and locker rooms, a gymnasium and plant room, additional storage areas with breathing apparatus, drying room and an equipment store.

Landscaping works were completed in addition to the installation of a new parking facility.

This brand new station will be home to the UK-first hybrid aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) truck, Ziegler’s hybrid Z-Class and has been carefully designed to achieves ambitious environmental targets and improve overall operational effectiveness.