PME - Gas-Fired Training Buildings

“Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) invites engagement from suppliers with experience and capability in developing and delivering gas-fired training buildings. The Service is seeking to retrofit to existing training buildings at our premises located in Plympton Fire Station in Devon and Taunton Fire Station in Somerset. The purpose of this engagement is to identify organisations with capability, capacity and interest to act either as Principal Contractor (delivering directly or by management of specialist sub-contractors) and/or as specialist sub-contractor(s) within the supply chain. Beyond identification of suppliers, the Service wants to develop its understanding of how the building, gas-rig, electrical, mechanical, controls and commissioning elements could best be brought together. At this stage, the route to market hasn’t been decided, however the Service is open to a two-stage arrangement that allows the design, specialist input, programme and cost to be developed collaboratively before the main works are agreed. PROJECT BACKGROUND The Service is seeking to adapt its existing training buildings at Plympton and Taunton Fire Stations to create gas-fired facilities for live training scenarios. The intention is to provide realistic, repeatable and instructor-controlled fire scenarios in buildings that are suitable for regular operational training. These are the two sites for which information is currently available. However, there may be an opportunity to include a further site, but its location, condition and requirements have not yet been confirmed and it does not form part of the current detailed scope but may be an option in any potential future procurement process. The existing buildings will need repairs and alterations before and alongside installation of the gas rigs and associated systems. The final training scenarios, burner layout, gas demand, heat protection, controls and site-specific works are still being developed. Expertise and early input from organisations with experience in specialist gas systems, high-temperature environments, building refurbishment, electrical and mechanical services, controls and systems integration is considered appropriate at this stage to help develop our approach to procurement of this requirement. The initial two (2) sites need to be commissioned and operational by December 2027. WHAT THE PROJECT NEEDS TO ACHIEVE

• Convert the two (2) existing training buildings into reliable gas-fired training buildings.

• Provide a range of realistic gas-fire scenarios suitable for live training.

• Make the buildings suitable for repeated heat exposure and regular operational use.

• Repair and improve the existing structure and building fabric where required.

• Provide suitable electrical power, lighting, artificial smoke, ventilation, emergency extraction, monitoring, alarms and controls.

• Provide safe instructor control of the gas rigs and training scenarios.

• Complete coordinated testing, commissioning, instructor familiarisation and handover.

• Provide maintainable systems with appropriate servicing, support and replacement parts. WHAT THE BUILDINGS ARE EXPECTED TO DO

• Support safe entry, search, hose deployment, casualty handling and instructor intervention.

• Produce repeatable heat, flame and artificial-smoke conditions for breathing apparatus (BA) training.

• Allow individual gas-fire scenarios to be controlled and shut down by instructors.”