The Car Storage Facility, NSW

Sector

Commercial

Location

Alexandria, NSW

The Car Storage Facility at 4 Hiles Street, Alexandria, NSW, is a two-storey building designed for the storage of exotic cars. The facility includes an office workspace, a mechanic workshop, a car lift connecting the floors, associated amenities, a communications room, and plant rooms.

Given the nature of the building and its fire safety requirements, a fire engineering approach was necessary to address specific deviations from the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The Performance Solutions outlined in the Fire Engineering Report (FER) ensure compliance with the BCA while maintaining operational efficiency and safety for occupants.

Key challenges:

Omission of Fire Hose Reels – The building design did not incorporate fire hose reels, requiring an alternative fire safety strategy.
Storage of Flammable Vehicles – The presence of high-value and flammable vehicles introduced a unique fire load that needed specific fire suppression solutions.
Integration of Sprinkler System – A non-standard sprinkler system – AS 2118.4 – 2012, typically used for low-rise residential buildings – was implemented in a non-residential setting.
Smoke Detection and Alarm System – The facility required an optimised smoke detection and alarm system beyond standard DtS provisions to enhance early warning capabilities.
Emergency Evacuation Considerations – Given the building’s use, the safe egress of occupants in case of fire had to be carefully planned, considering potential obstructions from stored vehicles.

Key solutions:

Performance-Based Fire Engineering Approach – The fire engineering analysis justified the omission of fire hose reels by demonstrating that portable ABE fire extinguishers were sufficient for first-aid firefighting.
Automatic Fire Sprinkler Protection – The installation of an AS 2118.4 – 2012-compliant sprinkler system provided an effective fire suppression method tailored to the storage environment.
Enhanced Smoke Detection and Alarm System – A smoke detection and alarm system, exceeding BCA minimum requirements, was incorporated to provide early fire detection and notification.
Portable Fire Extinguishers in Key Locations – Strategically placed ABE fire extinguishers ensured that fire hazards could be managed quickly and efficiently.
Emergency Lighting and Exit Signage – Comprehensive emergency lighting and exit signage were installed to support rapid evacuation in the event of a fire.

Key outcomes:

Achieved Compliance with the BCA – The Performance Solutions demonstrated compliance with relevant Performance Requirements, ensuring regulatory approval.
Effective Fire Suppression System – The integrated fire sprinkler and smoke detection system enhanced fire safety while allowing for the omission of fire hose reels.
Minimised Fire Risk for Vehicle Storage – The fire protection strategy was tailored to the specific hazards associated with vehicle storage, ensuring a safe and compliant environment.
Optimised Fire Safety Without Compromising Functionality – The fire engineering solutions maintained operational efficiency while meeting stringent fire safety requirements.
Improved Egress and Occupant Safety – The emergency lighting and exit signage systems ensured that occupants could safely evacuate in case of an emergency.

The Car Storage Facility at 4 Hiles Street, Alexandria, sets a new standard in fire safety for industrial storage buildings. By implementing innovative fire engineering solutions, the project successfully addressed key fire safety challenges while ensuring compliance with the Building Code of Australia. The tailored approach to fire suppression, detection, and occupant safety demonstrates a commitment to high fire safety standards, reinforcing the facility’s role as a safe and functional storage environment.