Sector
Residential / Social Housing
Location
Beenleigh, QLD
22 Manila Street, Beenleigh QLD required a personalised fire engineering strategy to support Anglicare with a new residential facility for homeless accommodation while ensuring compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022.
Our approach carefully balanced the need for regulatory compliance with practical design solutions, enabling an efficient fire strategy that aligns with the building’s unique function and operational needs.
The Challenges:
→ The building is a Class 3 (residential) facility with shared communal spaces, requiring a nuanced approach to fire compartmentation.
→ The public corridors on Level 00 did not comply with the BCA Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions, as walls bounding these areas were not originally designed to be fire-rated.
→ Exit travel distances on Levels 01 and 02 exceeded the DtS limit necessitating a performance-based solution to demonstrate appropriate egress provisions.
The Solutions:
→ Developed a Performance Solution that allows specific public corridor walls to remain non-fire-rated while ensuring separation between residential units and communal areas through strategic fire compartmentation.
→ Enhanced egress measures by introducing fire-rated doors with smoke seals, enhanced detection and occupant warning.
→ Utilised quantitative fire modelling to assess smoke movement and demonstrate compliance with NCC Performance Requirements.
The Outcomes:
→ A compliant fire safety strategy tailored to support the efficient residential setting.
→ A fire strategy that supports vulnerable residents while delivering practical, regulatory-compliant fire safety measures.
→ A performance-based fire engineering solution that supports evacuation while respecting the operational needs of the facility.
This project exemplifies how fire engineering solutions can enhance safety, whilst supporting efficiency and achieving compliance in residential facilities.
