Tresillian Family Care Centre, Wollstonecraft, NSW

Sector

Healthcare & Community

Location

Wollstonecraft, NSW

The Tresillian Family Care Centre, located at 25 Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft, is a five-storey residential care facility designed to support families with newborns and toddlers

The centre features a lower ground car park, consulting suites on the ground floor, short-term residential accommodation on levels 1 and 2, and a teaching and seminar space on level 3. The development integrates modern fire safety solutions to ensure compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) while maintaining a welcoming environment for families in need of support. Key project considerations include heritage constraints related to the adjacent Guthrie Centre and the need for performance-based fire safety solutions.

Key challenges:

Safety and Compliance: The proximity of the Guthrie Centre, with unprotected external openings, necessitated a fire separation strategy without requiring upgrades to the existing structure.
Architectural Constraints: The need for an open and community-oriented design led to the omission of traditional bounding construction and fire-resistant compartmentation in some areas.
Sustainability Considerations: Sprinkler coverage was optimised to exclude certain external areas, such as the lower ground boardwalk, to preserve the site’s heritage features.
Cost-Efficiency: Extended travel distances in the car park and residential levels were addressed through a combination of smoke detection and enhanced management provisions.
Technical Complexity: The integration of a rationalised stair pressurisation system required careful analysis to ensure compliance with BCA smoke hazard management provisions.

Key solutions:

Structural Fire Protection: A performance-based fire separation solution was adopted to ensure compliance without modifications to the Guthrie Centre.
Optimised Egress Solutions: A combination of extended travel distances and alternative exit strategies was justified through smoke compartmentation and enhanced fire detection.
Material Selection: Toughened glass with sprinkler protection was utilised for fire compartmentation where traditional fire-rated walls were impractical.
Integration with Building Systems: The fire hydrant system was designed in accordance with AS 2419.1-2017, ensuring adequate fire brigade intervention capabilities.
Evacuation Management: Staff were trained in emergency evacuation procedures, and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) were developed for overnight residents.

Key outcomes:

Full Compliance Achieved: Performance solutions successfully demonstrated compliance with NCC 2019 Amendment 1 requirements.
Preservation of Architectural Intent: Fire safety measures were integrated seamlessly with the building design to maintain the centre’s welcoming environment.
Cost-Effective Fire Engineering Solutions: Rationalised fire resistance levels and alternative exit strategies minimised construction costs while maintaining safety.
Enhanced Occupant Safety: The implementation of a structured fire management plan ensures timely evacuation and improved fire response capabilities.
Long-Term Sustainability: Fire safety solutions were designed with adaptability in mind, ensuring the facility meets evolving fire safety standards over time.

A Benchmark in Healthcare Fire Safety

The Tresillian Family Care Centre sets a new benchmark in fire safety for healthcare facilities, balancing innovative engineering solutions with stringent compliance requirements. By integrating advanced fire separation strategies, optimised egress solutions, and a robust fire management plan, this project ensures a safe and supportive environment for families. The successful implementation of these measures underscores the project team’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and excellence in fire engineering.