New fire station in Skjold

Vindafjord municipality was instructed by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority to build a new fire station, as the existing facility at Vikaneset was no longer suitable. The new station will be located near Solheimskrysset in Skjold, with a budget of NOK 35 million.

Pål Hystad from Omega 365 Areal is very pleased with both the process and the plans for the new fire station in Skjold.

Spanning 450 square meters, the building is being developed in collaboration with Haugaland Fire and Rescue. Pål Hystad of Omega 365 Areal is pleased with the planning and progress of the project.

“This building must meet a wide range of needs and comply with the latest public regulations for fire stations. It will include a carriage hall, a car wash, and designated cleaning zones for both vehicles and firefighters returning from assignments. Additionally, there will be crew rooms, training facilities, and changing rooms,” he explains.

A design reflecting function

The building’s design is inspired by the scale and purpose of its various spaces.

“The car wash and carriage hall will be in the tallest section of the building, constructed with concrete elements. In the areas where the crew will be stationed, we’ve lowered the ceiling and incorporated more wood. By varying the roof height, we’ve created a structure that is both functional and welcoming,” Hystad says.

The construction contract for the fire station will be announced as a turnkey contract in early 2025, with work set to begin in March. The construction period is expected to last about a year, and the station is scheduled to be operational by spring 2026.

A multidisciplinary approach

Hystad highlights the diverse expertise within Omega 365 Areal as a key strength in executing such projects.

“It’s rewarding to collaborate with professionals across various disciplines. Having expertise in all key areas—construction, finance, planning, electrical systems, ventilation, fire safety, and more—allows us to handle everything in-house. This enables us to manage multiple work processes in parallel, ensuring efficiency,” he says.

One of the key contributors to the Skjold fire station project is area planner Kjerstina Særsten, who has been involved from the outset.

“My role has been to establish the framework for the project, including the building’s footprint, land use, and road access. There are many stakeholders to coordinate with, such as the county governor and the county council. The state and municipalities protect their interests through the zoning process, and our job is to create a strong foundation for designing the building,” she explains.

Whether this will be the last fire station Omega 365 Areal designs remains uncertain.

“We are currently engaged in a tender process, and the experience we’ve gained from previous fire station projects will be valuable moving forward,” Hystad concludes.

Kjerstina Særsten has served as the spatial planner for the new fire station in Skjold.

Omega 365 Areal 

Omega 365 Areal provides a wide range of services within architecture and engineering, including analyzing, planning, engineering, and follow-up, throughout the construction process. They work closely with both public and private clients in Norway and has, in recent years, secured contracts with most of the municipalities in the Sunnhordland and Haugaland regions of Norway, in addition to holding major roles in construction projects. Omega 365 Areal has close to 50 employees who are based at their offices in Ølensvåg, Stord, Haugesund, and Bergen.