FiReControl Regional Control Centres
DCLG and PA Consulting
background
The FiReControl project is the re-organisation of England's fire control service through a national network of nine Regional Control Centres (RCC's) to replace a total of forty-six separate control rooms for each Fire and Rescue Service. The existing control rooms are not connected and there is a wide range of different systems and technology used across the country which cannot communicate with each other. The nine integrated and connected RCC's will mean that the Service will be better able to manage disruptive challenges arising from such large scale incidents as widespread flooding or a terrorist incident.
Project
CCD has provided an expert control room design service to the Department for Communities and Local Government. Initial strategic advice was provided on the location of the RCC buildings as well as the critical decision around sizing of the main rooms and the building itself.
Implementation
Working alongside the project architects, CCD developed a detailed design for the control room and the control room furniture. The design process required significant involvement with the Fire & Rescue Service. To this end, two rounds of ergonomic trials were held; the first to determine the optimum team size and to work out how the desks should be set up in teams, and the second to look at the layout of the entire control room. A full size mock up trial was carried out in Saltley, Birmingham involving over 40 FRS personnel. This design work was developed in to a CAD visualisation which has enabled the project to effectively communicate the emerging design to all of the 46 Fire & Rescue Services.
Each control room suite consists of the main control room itself with a large overview display and a pair of business continuity/training rooms which can be opened up to the main control room via a series of movable wall panels. A separate operations room runs across one end of the control room with a glazed screen giving a direct view of the control room and its wall display to provide a command facility if there is a major incident. During normal working conditions this provides a viewing gallery for visitors so that they do not disturb the operations of the control room.
Since the main contractors were appointed, CCD has provided design support and assurance including approval of design drawings, factory and site inspections. CCD has been responsible, on behalf of CLG, for accepting the furniture installations.
CCD has also supported the FiReControl Accommodation team in providing space planning design for the office suites within the RCC buildings. CCD has continued to support this side of the project through procurement and installation.
Outcomes
CCD has designed a modern, ergonomic and visually attractive working environment for the future control of the Fire & Rescue Service in England. With our expert design work, the FiReControl project will have delivered on this flagship element of a major critical infrastructure and change project.