SOTERA FIRE ENGINEERING

WHY IS FIRE SAFETY ENGINEERING SO IMPORTANT?

The topic of structural fires is rarely one that the general public thinks about in much detail, although we all understand the hazardous and destructive nature of such events. The reason for this may be that structural fires are seen as a rare occurrence that is unlikely to affect us during our daily lives. However, in Australia alone there were 17,915 [1] accidental residential fires between 2019 and 2020 alone. This is likely a much larger number than one would expect while only representing a single building sector and which may not account for all unreported fires.

With this in mind it is clear that there is a fundamental need to protect people and our environment by designing buildings so that when a fire event occurs, it does not result in disproportionate consequence to life or property.

So how can we help you?

Performance-Based Design

The Building Code of Australia provides minimum fire safety requirements that need to be met within the built environment. But as the envelope of building design is continuously pushed with regards to form, construction methods, use of materials and the like; it is often difficult to apply rigid codes and regulations without greatly restricting artistic and functional freedom. This is where fire safety engineers are invaluable as we can provide bespoke designs which achieve or exceed minimum levels of fire safety without conforming to prescriptive design guidance outlined within codes and regulations.

In doing so, we can benefit our clients by saving cost, improving constructability, achieving desired form and aesthetics, and protecting life and property.

Early Project Involvement

Cost of design–changes is lowest at conceptual stage and increases drastically during later stages of design development. Early input from a fire safety engineer can avoid such costly design changes providing efficient, cost-effective design by advising on approvals risk, design feasibility, selection of fire protection systems and value-engineering opportunities.

Design Selection

There are many ways fires can be controlled or endured with a wide range of passive and active fire protection systems available. It can be a complex task to navigate fire test certificates, fire testing standards, suitability of systems, and the benefits and draw backs of each. As fire safety engineers we can guide you through the process of design selection to weigh-up performance, cost, efficacy, ease of procurement and certification.

Passive fire protection ensures control by maintaining fire compartmentation through systems such as fire resisting construction, passive fire stopping, intumescent coatings, fire retardant coatings, smoke-proof construction and so on.

Active fire protection systems act to detect, prevent, control or suppress fire and smoke and includes a wide range of systems, some of which include control-mode/suppression sprinklers, gaseous suppression, oxygen reduction, foam suppression, smoke exhaust (and other smoke hazard management systems), smoke and fire detection, automatic smoke and fire curtains, fire shutters, dampers and so on.

Hazards Analysis

A fire engineered solution starts with clearly understanding the fire hazards that are to be mitigated. In doing so, complex problems can be simplified and solved on a fundamental level. With strong fundamental knowledge of fire dynamics and engineering principles we can provide creative problem solving and offer unrivalled design flexibility.

With the completion of over 2500 construction projects since 2007, Sotera has experience in practically every building sector and understands the risks and pitfalls that come with each. Let our experience work for you in delivering your next successful project.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF FIRE ENGINEERING?

As fire engineers we strive to understand the nature, traits, spread, and control of fire within the built environment. We apply fire science and engineering principles to assess the effects of fire on building structures, occupants and fire-fighters. Our goal is to maintain adequate levels of occupant life safety, limit damage to property and the environment and maintain continuity of critical services and operations.

The things we commonly look at within fire-engineered solutions include –

· Initiation and development of fire

· Spread of fire and control of fire growth

· Spread of smoke, toxic gases and control of smoke movement

· Occupant behaviour in fire during emergency evacuation

· Fire brigade intervention

· Structural response to fire

· Detection of fire and occupant warning

· Activation of fire protection systems

The above aspects of fire engineering design can be dealt with in a myriad of ways through qualitative and quantitative assessment, whether it be through deterministic or probabilistic assessment methodologies.

Our daily tasks typically include –

· Meeting with project teams to discuss, workshop and otherwise develop building designs.

· Inspecting construction sites, newly constructed buildings, existing buildings, and heritage buildings to identify fire hazards, assess fire safety compliance, review aspects of fire protection systems and confirm implementation of fire engineered solutions.

· Post-fire inspections and investigations within existing structures.

· Preparing performance solutions, fire risk assessments, professional opinions, expert witness, and testimony.

· Negotiating with fire brigade, council, building controllers, certifiers and other approval authorities to gain consent to fire engineered solutions.

· Modelling of smoke, fire and heat transfer.

· Keeping up with the latest fire codes, regulations, standards, and publications.

Sotera has the experience, qualifications and credentials required to provide dependable advice and support to our clients. We welcome your inquiry and look forward to working with you.

Refs

[1] Estimating the Total Number of Residential Fire-Related Incidents and Underreported Residential Fire Incidents in New South Wales, Australia by Using Linked Administrative Data.