New fire truck proves a tight squeeze for UK firehouse

By Emily Parsons
Evening Gazette 

COLCHESTER, England — A new fire engine is too tall to fit inside Colchester fire station.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has ordered replacements for all five of its aerial ladder platforms, including the one based at Colchester, at a cost of between £400,000 and £440,000 each.

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Although the new engines have not yet been delivered, the Gazette has learned fire chiefs are already trying to overcome a major problem. The platform earmarked for Colchester is 10cm taller than its current one, and is too tall to fit inside the station.

Fire chiefs are now contemplating lowering the floor of the building, to make it fit. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Adam Eckley, director of assets and resources, said: "Before placing the order, the service conducted a very thorough procurement exercise, which included a review of station premises, as height has been an issue in the past.

"The new Bronto ariel ladder is 100mm taller than the existing ladder. The service was aware of this from the outset, but was keen to ensure the best available appliances were considered.

"Other appliances were dismissed because they were far taller than the new Bronto.

"The manufacturer said the height could easily be reduced by 'troughing' part of the ladder assembly into the cab." He added this was common practice on the vehicles, as height is often an issue with older fire stations.

The troughing option has been built into the £2.5million price for the five appliances.

However, Mr Eckley admitted surveyors had been looking into the feasibility of altering the structure of Colchester fire station.

"The service wants to fully assess all of the current ALP stations to determine what other property-based options are available," he explained.

"Making a property adjustment may overcome the fact old fire stations always have an issue with bay size."

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