b'P L A N N I N GFIRE STATION DESIGNWhen designing a fire station, departments should look for ways to reduce exposures and prevent cross-contamination of carcinogens, contaminants and other harmful agents. Fire station design must be centered around Total Worker Health and include ways to mitigate behavioral health and sleep outcomes. Some components of successful design include individual climate control in dorms, alerting systems specific to each room in the fire station, and providing natural light sources while also reducing bright light exposure at night. Existing stations can be retrofitted to best accomplish these best practices where possible.Within the station, the following zones should be established:,HOT ZONE (RED): Area with highest risk of exposure. This is generally the apparatus bay and adjacent areas that support the storage of vehicles. They should include boot-washing and hand-washing sinks.,TRANSITION ZONE (YELLOW): A designated area, as per WAC 296-305-06505, for cleaning contaminated equipment including SCBA, EMS equipment from medical calls, fire hose, turnouts, etc. When cleaning contaminated equipment, always wear appropriate PPE (gloves, splash gown and N95 if appropriate) to protect against exposures. Bunker gear, SCBA and extractors, along with lockers and showers, are located in the transition zone.,COLD OR SAFE ZONE (GREEN): Keep it clean in the green. The green zone is the living quarters of the fire station including the kitchen, living area, sleeping area, personal hygiene facilities and office. Contaminated EMS equipment, turnouts, etc., are never allowed. Living quarters best practices: lFrequently replace all HVAC filtersin accordance to the manufacturers recommendations. lPPE should never be worn in any living areas ofthe fire station. This includes day rooms, offices, kitchens, sleeping areas, training rooms, etc.PLANNING lDo not bring contaminated equipment into any living areas.l The air pressure in living quarters should be higher than the apparatus bay to prevent airborne contaminants from entering theDesign fire stations and apparatusliving quarters.with exposure prevention in mindlAvoid using carpet in the station. Instead use hard, non-porous surfaces such as concrete to make it easier to clean.Source: IAFF Fire Fighter Cancer Awarenessand PreventionFire Station Design: Best Practicesto Reduce Exposures8'