Within our scope for this project we were tasked with the design and construct contract for all the Wet Fire services and Fire Detection services which included:

• A fully compliant combined Automatic Fire Sprinkler & Hydrant System to AS2118.1
• A fully compliant Hose Reel System to AS2441
• A fully compliant Hydrant System to meet AS 2419
• Compliant Portable Extinguishers to AS2444
• A fully compliant Fire Detection system to AS1668.1 and Emergency Warning Intercommunication system to AS1670.4
• Fire Pump Set system to meet AS2941

Over 250m of new underground Polyethylene Fire Service Mains have been installed around the new complex and existing shopping centre maintaining operating loading docks and public road crossings.

New Fire Sprinkler, Hydrant, Detection & Occupant warning systems have been provided throughout over 70,000 sq/m of the new shopping centre & refurbishment of a further 10,000sq/m of existing systems, some are at least 30 years old.

Challenges & Solutions

• The location of the existing Fire Hydrant Water Supplies originally delayed the demolition of much of the existing retail spaces, therefore resulting in a much later completion date.
• Firesafe purpose built, installed and commissioned to all regulatory authorities’ approval a temporary pump set system which provided ongoing protection to the remainder of the existing shopping centre via an existing underground ring main. This would allow construction works to start earlier on Stage 2, allowing 80 specialty stores & the Target store to open months ahead of the original program.
• 30-year old asbestos was discovered in the existing pipework and in-ground fire services were required to continue to be operational during works. Earthworks & Footing construction proved to be problematic resulting in weak pipework, causing in ground leaks and ruptures.

• Firesafe hydraulically calculated the system demands and were able to reduce the standing & operational pressures in the ring main to reduce the risk of pipe ruptures.

• The existing shopping centre was extended from every elevation, early handover malls cut through the middle of ongoing construction zones & several temporary public access routes built to accommodate ongoing trade through the entirety of the project. Fire services were required to be operational in all public areas.
• Firesafe provided dedicated detection & Occupant warning cabling to early handover areas and commissioned specific zones allowing occupancy. Additional detection was provided between public & construction areas providing early warning from fire risks within the construction site.