22
Hong Kong Builder
GAS CHAMBER
OIL STORE
-STORE
BLAW
OFFICE
MSTRES
FOLL
BRILL TOWER
OVER
OPEN
YARD
SCALE
TH FEET
E
COVERED
YARD
ENTRANCE HALL
APPLIANCE
ROOM
WATCH RM.
R
Architect's Sketch of building now in course of construction and the ground floor plan.
NEW
FIRE STATION
STATION BUILDING
IN EASTERN
DISTRICT
An up-to-date four-storeyed reinforced concrete building, estimated to cost $140,000.00, with the first floor so constructed as to take the load of the superstruc- ture in case of its collapsing during a bombing raid, is in the course of construction on the site bounded by Hennessy Road, Lockhart Road, and Canal Road East.
When completed, in August or September, the East- ern Fire Station-as it will be called-will be a worthy addition to the Hong Kong Fire Brigade and, with its equipment, will be able to fully cope with all fires in the eastern district.
As explained by Mr. J. C. Charter, architect of the Public Works Department, the new station will be con- structed of reinforced concrete with brick panels. The external walls of the ground floor will be terrazzo tiled with plaster rendering above.
Due to the soft nature of the ground, which neces- sitated the driving of fifty-seven piles to the great depth cf forty to fifty feet, nearly all expanded, as supporters for the column bases, pile-driving was not completed by the Vibro Piling Co., Ltd., until the end of December, when work on the superstructure was commenced by the building contractors, Messrs. Cheong Hing & Co.
The 45'-0" deep appliance room, on the ground floor, will have accommodation for four fire engines and two ambulances. Adjoining this room will be the adminis- trative offices and watch-room.
in the latter will be the telephones, and the main switchboard which will control all the alarms and lights in the appliance room. The four main doors will be electrically opened by a switch in this room.
At the back of the appliance room will be a covered yard for drilling in the wet weather, and an open yard for exercises and for washing down the engines and hose after a fire. Further back will be the drill-tower. In a one-storeyed building adjoining the ground floor will be the store rooms.