WGFC Tours New High School Construction Project
An architects rendering of the new school at the main entrance.
An architects rendering of the new school at the main entrance.
 
A view on the roof, where fire fighters examined access and equipment located across the huge structure.
A view on the roof, where fire fighters examined access and equipment located across the huge structure.
 
Two very large courtyards are found within the building, surrounded by three floors holding 80+ classrooms.
Two very large courtyards are found within the building, surrounded by three floors holding 80+ classrooms.
 
A view of a typical classroom.
A view of a typical classroom.
 
Another classroom, showing how crews are making real progress toward a summer completion.
Another classroom, showing how crews are making real progress toward a summer completion.
 
WGFC crews look at a large utility room housing furnace and air conditioning units and water circulation equipment.
WGFC crews look at a large utility room housing furnace and air conditioning units and water circulation equipment.
 
These water pumps will supply heated and chilled water throughout the building.
These water pumps will supply heated and chilled water throughout the building.
 
This view is of the auxiliary gym, across the hall from the main gym.
This view is of the auxiliary gym, across the hall from the main gym.
 
WGFC members view the main gymnasium, which will seat 2,000 people.
WGFC members view the main gymnasium, which will seat 2,000 people.
 
Work is underway in this large space which will become the auditorium, suitable for 1,000 people -- for scale, note the construction equipment in the space.
Work is underway in this large space which will become the auditorium, suitable for 1,000 people -- for scale, note the construction equipment in the space.
 
One of two courtyards in the building, surrounded on all sides by 3-story classroom buildings.
One of two courtyards in the building, surrounded on all sides by 3-story classroom buildings.
 
Looking from the main hallway into the first interior courtyard.
Looking from the main hallway into the first interior courtyard.
 
Crews walk through the food service area into the cafeteria.
Crews walk through the food service area into the cafeteria.
 
WGFC crews toured the new Avon Grove High School in Penn Township to gain an understanding of construction before structure is completed. The building is 298,000 square feet.
WGFC crews toured the new Avon Grove High School in Penn Township to gain an understanding of construction before structure is completed. The building is 298,000 square feet.
 
 
January 9, 2022
 

Fighting fires in large structures often involves understanding how buildings are constructed, what materials are used, and how large systems like electric, HVAC, gas and water are supplied in the building. It was with that in mind that the West Grove Fire Company took the opportunity to get a look at the new Avon Grove High School under construction in Penn Township near the intersection of Route 796 and Old Baltimore Pike.

With a visit hosted by D'Huy Engineering, the project managers, about 25 firefighters arrived to tour the very large building while walls are still open and to get some perspective on how the structure is being put together. Over the course of about two hours, firefighters toured the building, talking about entrances and exits, looking at engineering spaces, visiting the roof, and walking the building talking about how the WGFC might approach various fire, rescue and EMS scenarios.

No question, this is a large structure: 298,000 square feet under roof, with 56 regular classrooms, and 35 special use classrooms -- like TV/audio labs, science rooms (with gas and chemicals for experiments), to kitchens for teaching home sciences, and wood & metal shops. Everything about the building is large -- from an auditorium that will seat 1,000, to two gyms -- one with seating for 2,000 people.

Firefighters paid particular attention to furnace rooms, large kitchens, wall and roof construction, and to the location of exits and stairwells. WGFC crews will return later this year when the school is nearly complete, taking measurements that will help determine how to approach the deployment of crews, apparatus, and hose lines in case of a fire. The structure is modern -- fully sprinklered, with fire-resistant materials throughout -- yet the contents and life hazards including hundreds of students and staff mean the Fire Company will extensively pre-plan the structure to be ready for nearly any emergency.

WGFC is thankful to the team at D'Huy Engineering for hosting the visit. An army of construction personnel are working to complete the structure by summer, with the first students and staff arriving for the fall 2022 semester in August this year.
 
Units: Ladder 22, Rescue 22, Tanker 22, Engine 22-1, Utility 22, Squad 22