Steveston Firehall No. 2 was given the golden ticket last week for its energy efficient design.
City staff told Richmond city council on Oct. 26 the building had been certified as LEED Gold, meaning it successfully achieved significant energy reducing features.
Among those features are geothermal heating and cooling, a solar hot water system, storm water management through rain gardens, a green roof and a design that uses daylight efficiently.
The 3,072 square-metre facility is the second City of Richmond building to achieve the Gold status, following the Richmond Community Safety Building, which houses the Richmond RCMP detachment.
While it has been in use for several years, assessment time is needed for certification from the Canada Green Building Council.
Architect firm HCMA Architecture and Design designed the building while Stuart Olson Dominion Construction built it.
Brighouse elementary, the RCMP station on No. 5 Road, Airport Executive Park building 6, and Crestwood Corporate Centre are other Gold standard buildings in Richmond, according to the council.
LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — certification has four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
A point system from 26 to 70 determines the level and Gold ranges from 39-51. The firehall received 40 points.
