Building Code of Australia (BCA) requires sprinkler protection, where installed to meet AS2118.1-2017. In an industrial environment with machinery, maintenance platforms and/or conveyors, a DtS design may require excessive sprinkler protection in multiple levels with simultaneous activation of 80+ sprinkler heads together with the roof sprinklers. It would be extremely difficult to supply the required water flow and provide the water storage required. Apart from that, the extensive and dense arrangement of steel members would interfere with sprinkler spray patterns relied upon in certification tests. It is questionable whether a DtS design would be typically highly reliable as expected for sprinkler protection.
In its performance-based assessment, Sotera can rationalize sprinkler coverage to provide effective protection to the areas of high hazard where most of the fuel load is located while deleting sprinkler heads where the occurrence of fire is highly unlikely e.g. maintenance platform. In such assessment, clients benefit from huge cost savings from optimized sprinkler systems including pumps and tanks while enhancing the sprinkler protection of areas with high fuel load.
At Sotera we are committed to incorporating practical and cost-effective fire safety solutions in the early stages of project design. We would love the opportunity to assist with your project, so get in touch with us at either of our offices in Brisbane or Gold Coast.