October 2013

Canning Vale Markets

The Perth Market Authority (Market City) located in Canning Vale was originally developed in 1989 and is located on 51 hectares of land. Market City plays a critical role in the marketing and distribution of fresh produce in Western Australia. Some of the key features the market offers includes access to world class central market infrastructure, a customer base of approximately 600 buyers, which includes major supermarkets and food caterers.

Within our scope for this project we were tasked with the design and construct contract for the Wet Sprinkler and Dry Sprinkler Fire services including new valve sets and DBA monitoring:

  • A fully compliant Wet Fire and Pre-action system in accordance to AS2118.1, NFPA 13 and FM Global Data Sheet 2-0 for ESFR sprinklers.

The project consisted of the installation of 15 x High hazard sprinkler systems and 14 x Pre Action Sprinkler systems to 120,0000m2 of existing operating warehouses used for the distribution of fresh produce to retailers and the general public.

The fire systems were required to be provided throughout the 3 x Western warehouses from W1 through to W3, the 7 x Eastern warehouses from E2 through to E7 including the Loscam warehouse and also the Central Trading area (CTA).

The fire systems within these areas consisted of high level roof sprinklers, low level sprinklers, office sprinklers and pre-action (dry) systems in the cool room and freezer areas.

Throughout the project there were various challenges which we had to overcome:

  • The existing sprinkler system had to be retained in service whilst new works were being installed and all new connecting pipework had to be cut prior to a drain down. We had to ensure the systems were refilled and operational overnight and over the weekends. When a drain down was required, we always communicated with the PMA management 24 hours’ prior to any drain down works.
  • Due to the existing tenancies, various methods of accessing the areas to install new pipework required multiple sizes of ladders, along with different variations of mechanical aids such as scissor lifts.
  • With the requirement to be working out of market trading hours, we worked around this by starting our works later, beginning at 11am and working until 5pm. This gave us the opportunity to avoid disruption to tenants and market trading in the early to mid-morning.
  • With an emphasis on least disruption possible, our Project Managers and Leading Hand met with the Perth Market Authority (PMA) regularly to update and inform of impending works requiring access to tenancies. This was coordinated with both the PMA and the tenants to fit in with best chosen dates and times so we could access areas to complete works safely with minimal disruption. In some cases works that could be completed in one 8hr shift were staggered over several days to assist with most minimal disruption to tenants. Works were also scheduled and completed on weekends to again minimise disruption to tenants.
  • In regards to deliveries of materials and equipment, these were also carried out during out of market operational hours to again assist with least disruption to the running of the market.
  • Lastly, most of our testing and commissioning was carried out during non-market operation hours, but where testing was required within tenancies this access was agreed to in meetings with PMA and tenants prior to works being carried out and was coordinated around tenant and PMA conditions of times and days.

Upon completion of the project, Firesafe continue to maintain and test the fire protection systems installed at this site.

Download Job Card