Recognized with a 2025 Excellence in Achievement Award, the Orange County Fire Training Facility in Orlando, Florida demonstrates how tilt-up construction can support highly specialized, scenario-driven public safety environments. Designed as a comprehensive training campus for the Orange County Fire Rescue Department, the project integrates nine distinct structures—including burn rooms, collapse simulations, drill towers, CPAT testing areas, and adaptable pavilions—organized to replicate the complex conditions encountered in modern emergency response. At the center of the facility is the Education Building, where unpainted A++ finish tilt-up panels and precisely angled elevations create a durable, minimalist form that aligns directly with ladder training operations, reinforcing practical skill development.
Tilt-up concrete played a central role in delivering the facility’s technical and functional goals. The project team utilized exposed architectural panels requiring careful mix design, formwork precision, and strict curing control to achieve a paint-free, low-maintenance finish. Several panels were erected using temporary concrete legs engineered to stabilize angled elements during lifting; these supports were removed after structural completion, leaving no visible trace. The Collapse Building incorporated a sloped deck and destabilized stair tower to simulate structural failure, requiring advanced analysis to ensure stability while preserving realistic training challenges. The Drill Towers relied on exceptionally large panels—some weighing up to 205,000 pounds—requiring detailed rigging strategies and coordinated crane operations.
Despite a constrained site and pre-installed underground utilities, the team managed sequencing and casting operations by reusing casting beds and reorganizing layouts to maintain schedule efficiency. The collaborative effort among the architect, engineers, contractor, and tilt-up specialists allowed the project to meet demanding programmatic, structural, and operational requirements without compromising longevity or performance.
The Orange County Fire Training Facility illustrates the versatility of tilt-up construction in shaping complex, multi-structure campuses and delivering durable environments tailored to highly specific training needs.
This article is based on content submitted for the 2025 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards.
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