Y-12 National Security Complex Fire Department

Oak Ridge, TN

BKV Group, in partnership with H2M (architecture) and MBI (civil engineering), designed a cutting-edge fire station for the Department of Energy’s Y-12 Federal Uranium Production Complex in Oak Ridge. This new station marks the transition from day-shift operations to a 24/7 department, reinforcing fire prevention and safety in a high-risk environment.

Client: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS)
Type: Fire Station
Size: 32,000 SF, 9 drive-thru bays, 20 bunk rooms

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The site’s 30-foot elevation change required strategic design solutions for efficient emergency response. The apparatus bays are arranged in an “L” shape to optimize maneuverability, allowing smaller vehicles to exit directly onto the main road while larger apparatus access a side street. The first floor houses firefighter bunk rooms, locker rooms, a kitchen, dining, and dayroom spaces, while the second floor provides office space and a large training room for 30 day-shift staff. PPE storage, decontamination areas, and essential utilities are centrally located between the two apparatus bays.

Given the unique hazards of uranium production, the fire station’s design integrates specialized training features. Firefighters must navigate complex industrial settings, so the station includes catwalks, cage ladders, stairs, and ship ladders to simulate facility conditions. The Chief emphasizes the focus on emergency medical response, rescues, and hazmat incidents rather than traditional firefighting.

Unlike standard projects, this federal facility is not subject to state building codes. Instead, CNS and the DOE defined applicable model codes in collaboration with the design team. A QA review team ensured compliance, construction feasibility, and cost-effectiveness, with H2M providing expertise on firematic elements.

The project used a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method, presenting challenges in securing materials and workforce access due to high-security constraints. Future maintenance also requires special considerations, leading to a design prioritizing robust, redundant systems.

The Y-12 Fire Station meets the complex’s demanding safety and operational needs, ensuring a rapid, effective response for the highly sensitive facility it protects.