Kimberly Clark, 100 Arthur Street, NSW

Sector

Office & Commerical

Location

Sydney, NSW

The Kimberly Clark fitout at 100 Arthur Street, North Sydney, involved the refurbishment of Level 4 and Level 5 within a 21-storey commercial building.

The project aimed to enhance the office space functionality while addressing fire safety compliance. Key elements included modifications to exit travel distances and the integration of concealed sprinklers with cover plates. The fire engineering strategy ensured that the fitout met the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) through carefully considered fire safety solutions.

Key challenges:

Safety and Compliance: Extended travel distances of up to 45m to an exit (exceeding the BCA limit of 40m) and 78m between alternative exits (exceeding the 60m limit).
Architectural Constraints: Concealed sprinklers with cover plates impact their activation time, affecting the designed response time index (RTI) of 50 m¹/²s¹/².
Technical Complexity: Integration of a performance-based smoke detection system to offset increased evacuation times due to extended travel distances.
Cost-Efficiency: Balancing the need for additional fire safety measures while maintaining the fitout budget.
Fire Safety Management: Ensuring fire load management along egress routes through an appropriate fire safety management plan.

Key solutions:

Optimised Egress Strategies: A performance-based solution incorporating additional smoke detectors at reduced spacing to ensure early detection and evacuation.
Sprinkler System Adjustments: Justification for concealed sprinklers in low fire load areas (e.g., bathrooms and corridors) to ensure compliance with fire suppression requirements.
Fire Safety Management Plan: Implementation of measures to prevent fire load build-up along egress paths.
Compliance with BCA Performance Requirements: Demonstration that smoke detection improvements mitigate the risks associated with extended travel distances.
Fire Brigade Intervention Considerations: Ensuring early alarm activation to provide timely notification to emergency services

Key outcomes:

Achieved Full Compliance with the BCA: The performance solutions successfully meet the regulatory requirements.
Improved Fire Detection and Response Times: Additional smoke detection measures ensure early occupant warning and improved evacuation times.
Maintained Architectural Intent: The use of concealed sprinklers preserves the office design aesthetics without compromising fire safety.
Fire Brigade Readiness: The improved smoke detection system facilitates quicker fire brigade response.
Sustainable Fire Safety Strategy: The fire engineering solutions ensure long-term safety and adaptability within the commercial fitout.

The Kimberly Clark fitout at 100 Arthur Street, North Sydney, stands as a benchmark in performance-based fire engineering within the commercial sector. The tailored fire safety solutions have ensured compliance while maintaining functional and aesthetic design integrity. This project highlights the successful integration of innovative fire engineering methodologies to address key challenges, delivering a safe and sustainable workplace environment.

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