Our fire engineering approach balanced the needs of modern living with compliance measures to ensure safety and flexibility for this 10-storey residential development with basement carpark facilities.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀:

→ Mixed-use fire separation: Ensuring safe integration of Class 2 residential spaces and Class 7a carpark areas, particularly where glazing and fire walls intersect.
→ Modern materials and systems: Accommodating PVC ductwork and balcony blinds while mitigating fire risk.
→ Egress pathways: Extending exit travel distances and refining discharge points while optimising evacuation safety.

Our strategy focused on ensuring compliance with fire safety standards, including supporting EV Charing Station installation, while respecting the architectural vision and functional requirements of the design.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀:

→ Boundary proximity and fire separation: Managing openings in external walls and carpark exhaust grilles within 3m of the allotment boundary required specialised protective measures.
→ Extended egress distances: Deviations in travel distances for exits on basement and ground levels needed a performance-based assessment to demonstrate safe evacuation.
→ Innovative design features: Addressing the insulation criteria of lift doors in apartment bounding construction and supporting the central stairway discharge design.

Our approach balanced the requirements of compliance with the architectural vision.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀:

→ Mixed-use fire safety: Class 2 residential spaces with a Class 7a basement carpark.
→ Performance-based compliance: Addressing deviations from prescriptive DtS provisions, including fire separation, exit travel distances, and fire hydrant configurations.
→ Innovative compartmentation: Managing fire shutter designs that exceed traditional lengths and lacked insulation criteria to support spatial efficiency.

Our approach considered the unique characteristics of the building and its dated fire safety systems, integrating modern compliance measures while supporting operational efficiency with a pragmatic approach.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀:

→ Aging fire systems: The building’s existing fire hydrant and sprinkler systems dated back decades, requiring significant upgrades to meet current safety standards.
→ Decommissioning smoke exhaust fans: Outdated ceiling-mounted exhaust systems were inadequate, demanding innovative alternatives for smoke hazard management.
→ Extended egress distances: Modifying exit travel pathways in the warehouse to accommodate modern operational layouts and fire safety requirements. 

Our fire engineering approach was meticulously developed to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements while supporting the innovative design and a pragmatic approach.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀:

→ Mixed-use adaptation: Conversion of an 8-storey office building into a residential building (Class 2), with a carpark (Class 7a) and additional penthouse storeys.
→ Complex site conditions: Existing building elements, structure and exits coupled with limited floor area to accommodate building infrastructure.
→ Performance deviations: Addressing existing construction and innovative design, including timber framing for penthouse levels, trellis vegetation, EV Charging Stations and extended egress travel distances.

Our approach carefully considered the constraints of an existing Class 9b fire strategy while accommodating the building’s new mixed-use functions—all in support of its critical role in cadet training and administration.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬:

→ The building’s change-in-use: Converting portions of the Ground Floor to Class 3 accommodation for cadets, alongside maintaining Class 5 office and Class 9b training/lecture spaces, demanded compliance with updated fire safety standards.
→ Retrofitting fire ratings: The building’s blockwork construction required significant upgrades to meet the fire resistance levels (FRL) for modern use, particularly in areas now serving as accommodation.
→ Egress provisions: Modifying the design to ensure safe and efficient evacuation, while maintaining the building’s architectural integrity, was a key focus.