Fire Engineering Brief Questionnaire (FEBQ)

Unclassified

Fire Engineering Brief Questionnaire (FEBQ)

Version 11 firesafety.fire.nsw.gov.au

Issued 3 February 2017 © Copyright State Govt NSW

Unclassified

1 Document control

Applicant reference number 33307-2 FRNSW reference number FRN18/861

(V6: BFS18/1420)

Ver. Author Organisation Status Date

01 Ettienne Jordaan Wood & Grieve Engineers Initial submission 16/04/2018

02 Duke Ismael FRNSW (#3280) Response to FEBQ Ver. 01

02/05/2018

03 Ettienne Jordaan Wood & Grieve Engineers Response to FEBQ Ver. 02

07/05/2018

04 Duke Ismael FRNSW (3468) Response to FEBQ Ver. 03

21/05/2018

05 Ettienne Jordaan Wood & Grieve Engineers Response to FEBQ Ver. 04

21/05/2018

06 Duke Ismael FRNSW (#3670) Response to FEBQ Ver. 05

12/06/2018

2 Applicant

2.1 Role of applicant

Local government authority Certifying authority Fire safety engineer

Development owner Other Provide details

Note: The applicant is expected to have the consent of the development owner to act on their behalf.

2.2 Agreement

As the applicant, I confirm the following:

I agree to pay Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) the charges set out in Clause 46 of the Fire Brigades Regulation 2014 (see Section 10).

I agree to forward with this application the following documentation for FRNSW to review and provide advice on the assessment methods and acceptance criteria proposed for the given alternative solution:

Copy of proposed building plans and specifications

(e.g. relevant floor plans, elevations, site plan, section views, hydrant plan and schematic)

BCA report or letter from an accredited certifier that identifies all non-compliances (if available)

CFD/zone modelling inputs form (if applicable)

Report extract of the trial design requirements/proposed fire safety measures (optional).

Name of applicant Place Management NSW

Applicant phone number 0418 863 156

Applicant email address [email protected]

2.3 Remittance advice information

Invoices will be issued based on the information provided below:

Company / vendor name Place Management NSW Ltd

Australian business number 51 437 725 177 Trading name Place Management NSW

http://firesafety.fire.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2014/551/part5/sec46

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Remittance contact name Sara Bridge

Remittance street address 66 Harrington Street The Rocks NSW

Remittance postal address PO Box N408 Grosvenor Place

Remittance email address [email protected]

Remittance phone number 02 9240 8518 Remittance fax number

3 Consultation

3.1 Stakeholders

Role Name and BPB number Organisation and phone Email address

Fire safety engineer Ettienne Jordaan

Brett Casson BPB2163

Wood & Grieve Engineers

02 8484 7000

[email protected]

BCA consultant Peter Rossello

BPB0350

Environet Consultancy Pty Ltd

02 9967 4422

[email protected]

Certifying authority Peter Rossello

BPB0350

Environet Consultancy Pty Ltd

02 9967 4422

[email protected]

FRNSW reviewers SO Darren Bofinger

Duke Ismael

Fire & Rescue NSW

02 9742 7434

[email protected]

3.2 Meeting details

In conjunction with the written comments provided in response to this FEBQ, FRNSW may hold a meeting with the applicant to discuss aspects of the proposed alternative solution. The meeting will be at the discretion of FRNSW.

Type of meeting preferred No meeting Telephone meeting Face-to-face meeting

4 Project details

4.1 Premises

Premises name ASN Co Building

Primary street address 1-3 Hickson Road

Secondary street address Secondary street address (if applicable)

Premises suburb The Rocks NSW 2000

Lot and DP numbers E.g. Lots A and B of DP 12345, Lot 10 of DP 111213

4.2 Proposed works

New building Applicable NCC: NCC 2016

Refurbishment of an existing building

Extension of an existing building For existing buildings:

Change in use within an existing building Approximate year of construction: 1884

Other: (provide details) Building code when constructed: Unknown

How many alternative solution issues are proposed in this FEBQ? 7


mailto:[email protected]

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Note: The number of alternative solution issues must address all identified non-compliances.

Have all departures from the deemed-to-satisfy (DtS) provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC) been identified for this proposed design (i.e. a BCA report or letter from an accredited certifier)? Yes

Note: Any advice given is subject to all non-compliances being identified. Any new DtS departures identified, including any from the certifying authority determining the application for construction certificate, may affect FRNSW advice in respect to this alternative solution.

Identify if any previous alternative solution applies to the building:

Not aware of any.

Identify if any application has been/will be submitted under Clause 188 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000:

N/A

Identify if the premises is or will be subject to any development application (DA) conditions or special regulatory approvals (e.g. BPB conditions, ministerial conditions, crown building works):

Note: FRNSW will not comment on existing buildings subject to voluntary upgrade or change of use prior to the issue of any DA conditions of consent or Section 96 amendments. Comment will also not be provided if an order has been issued unless the Council agrees. The Council may seek advice during the DA review.

Not aware of any.

Where FRNSW comments contradict or are not consistent with any condition of development consent, further consultation with FRNSW is required to refine the proposed fire safety strategy.

WGE: Noted.

Will the premises be subject to a fire safety study, risk assessment or dangerous goods study? No

Note: Any study/risk assessment should be completed prior to submitting this FEBQ, and should be attached to this application.

4.3 Description of building occupancy

Main occupancy class 5 Other occupancy classes 9b (education)

Type of construction A Largest fire compartment (m2) 3,354m2 (Bay 2-4)

Effective height (m) < 25m

Ground floor area (m2) ~1,250m2

Rise in storeys 5 Total floor area (m2) 5,614m2 (Bay 1-5)

Levels contained 5 Total volume (m3) 21,832m3 (Bay 2-5)

Note: The definition of effective height has changed in NCC 2016. For any other applicable NCC, consideration must be given to the NSW Supreme Court case [2012] NSWSC 1244.

Outline any additional building characteristics:

The subject building is existing and is of heritage significance. As a result, the building contains exposed timber floor / ceiling structures, however the building has been voluntarily sprinkler protected to address some of the deficiencies associated with old heritage buildings. The building consists of 5 Bays.


http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2000/557/part9/div8/sec188

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/nsw/NSWSC/2012/1244.html

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List key occupant characteristics for the building:

Staff - Occupants within this building will consist partly of employees, who are expected to have received specific emergency training. As such, they are assumed to be aware of the emergency procedures in place at this facility, as well as the location of all exits and fire-fighting equipment. They are expected to be awake when inside the building.

Visitors - All visitors are assumed to be accompanied by the building employees at all times when the building is lawfully occupied. Accordingly, they should be able to navigate to the exits easily due to guidance given by the employees and exit signage provided throughout the building. They are also expected to be awake when inside the building.

Students – May or may not be familiar with the layout of the building or the location of all exits. However, students should be able to navigate to the exits easily due to guidance given by the teaching staff or exit signage provided throughout the building. They are also expected to be awake when inside the building.

5 Hazards

Outline any hazards unique to the building:

See below.

Insulated sandwich panels Dangerous / hazardous goods storage

Electrical hazards (substations/switchboards etc.) Alternative electrical generation (e.g. solar, tri-gen)

Other: Due to the heritage nature of the building, floor / ceiling structures are of exposed timber construction.

However, the building has been voluntarily sprinkler protected.


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6 Preventative and protective measures

Identify fire safety measures that are, or will be, provided throughout the building, including anything undecided, which should be mentioned as part of the FEBQ review. Additional information may be added to the comments section below to better describe any systems or indicate systems that may be subject to alternative solution.

Occupant warning system Signage Facilities for emergency services

Building occupant warning Emergency lighting Emergency lifts

EWIS Exit and direction signs Fire control centre

SSISEP Warning and operational signs Fire control room

Break glass unit Perimeter vehicular access

Visual / tactile alarm devices Standby power supply system

Smoke hazard management Hydrant system Firefighting equipment

Zone smoke control AS 2419.1-2005 Portable fire extinguishers

Purge system (existing building) AS 2419.1-1994 (existing building) Fire hose reels

Smoke and heat vents Ordinance 70 (existing building)

Smoke exhaust External hydrants Water supply

Smoke baffles Internal hydrants Grade 1

Ridge vents Street hydrant coverage only Grade 2

Stair pressurisation Hydrant booster assembly Grade 3

Impulse / jet fans (in carpark) Pumpset Onsite storage tank

Other: (provide details) Other: (provide details) Dual supply

Detection system Suppression system Protection of openings

AS 3786-1993 / AS 3786:2014 CA16 (existing building) Fire doors

AS 1670.1:2015 AS 2118.1-1999 Smoke doors

AS/NZS 1668.1:2015 AS 2118.1-2006 Solid core doors

AS 1670.3-2004 (monitored) AS 2118.2-2010 (wall-wetting) Fire windows

Smoke alarms AS 2118.3-2010 (deluge) Fire shutters

Heat alarms AS 2118.4-2012 (residential) Wall-wetting sprinklers

Smoke detectors AS 2118.5-2006 (domestic) Fire curtain

Heat detectors AS 2118.6-2012 (combined) Smoke curtain

Flame detectors Fast response heads Safety curtain for openings

CO detectors ESFR Fire dampers

Multi-criteria fire detectors Storage mode sprinklers Smoke dampers

Aspirated smoke detection Gaseous suppression system Fire seals (intumescent)

Beam detection Water mist system Hot smoke seals (>200ºC)

Other: (provide details) Other: (provide details) Medium temp. smoke seals

Additional information:

N/A


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7 Departures from the Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions

Issue number: 1 Title: Fire hazard properties associated with timber floor / ceiling structures

Details of departures from DtS provisions:

Fire hazard properties associated with the timber floor / ceiling construction do not satisfy Specification C1.10 of the BCA.

Applicable DtS provisions:

C1.10, Specification C1.10 Performance requirements:

CP4

List key fire safety measures:

Sprinklers shall be provided within the building to meet AS2118.1-1999.

The water supply and pump arrangement is to be upgraded to meet AS2118.1-1999 and/or AS2118.6-2012.

The smoke detection and alarm system is to be provided in accordance with AS1670.1-2015 ignoring any concessions as result of the building being sprinkler protected.

Proposed alternative solution:

The assessment aims to demonstrate that the timber floor / ceiling structures will not facilitate fire and smoke spread to a degree that would be hazardous to evacuating occupants due to the following:

The building contains a sprinkler system which is likely to extinguish or at least limit the spread of fire; and

Timber, although combustible, generally does not facilitate rapid fire spread in the early stages due to charring shielding the inner layers of the timber element from the heat source; and

Timber produces low amounts of smoke (1.5% soot yield as per the SFPE Handbook compared to other combustible materials, ranging between 1.5%-25%); and

The smoke detection system is likely to provide occupants with an early warning to evacuate before untenable conditions occur.

Performance solution:

A0.3(a)(i) - Comply with the performance requirements

A0.3(a)(ii) - Be at least equivalent to the DtS provisions

Assessment methods:

A0.5(a) - Evidence of suitability

A0.5(b)(i) - Verification methods in the NCC

A0.5(b)(ii) - Other verification methods

A0.5(c) - Expert judgement

A0.5(d) - Comparison with the DtS provisions

Assessment approach:

Comparative Qualitative Deterministic

Absolute Quantitative Probabilistic

IFEG sub-systems used in the analysis:

A – Fire initiation and development and control D – Fire detection, warning and suppression

B – Smoke development and spread and control E – Occupant evacuation and control

C – Fire spread and impact and control F – Fire services intervention

Acceptance criteria and factor of safety:

Fire and smoke spread shall be adequately limited to ensure the safe evacuation of occupants.

Fire scenarios and design fire parameters:

Fire involving the timber floor / ceiling structures.


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Describe how fire brigade intervention will be addressed or considered:

The sprinkler system is expected to control the spread of fire and is likely to present the attending fire brigade with safer conditions when compared to a BCA DtS compliant design that has compliant fire hazard properties but no sprinkler system (i.e. potentially post-flashover conditions).

Verification/validation analyses:

Sensitivity studies Redundancy studies Uncertainty studies None

The assessment will consider the potential failure of the sprinkler system.

Provide details on proposed modelling/assessment tools:

N/A. Qualitative assessment proposed.

FRNSW: In principle support is provided subject to the analysis detailed in the FER demonstrating compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements of the NCC.

WGE: Noted.


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Issue number: 2 Title: Fire resistance and compartmentation


Classifications between storeys results in class 5 & Class 9b uses that are not fire separated between storeys - Bay 2-4. Does not apply to Bay 5 which only contains Class 5 uses.

Requirements of C3.12 are not able to be satisfied due to the absence of fire rated construction associated with the floor construction between storeys.

Existing and proposed timber buildings elements such as floors, beams and columns do not achieve the required fire resistance level of construction.

The floors and supporting structural elements do not satisfy Clause 2.2 of Specification C1.1.

Services riser shafts do not achieve an FRL due to reliance on timber floor construction for support.

The exposed steel plates joining an existing concrete beam to a new concrete beam means that the floor it supports is unlikely to achieve the required FRL.


C1.1, Specification C1.1, C2.9, C3.12, Clause 2.2 Specification C1.1

Performance requirements:

CP1, CP2, CP4, CP8





All permanent staff working within the building shall be inducted in the evacuation procedures of the building. As part of this induction, staff shall be informed that in event of a fire alarm, it is essential that occupants evacuate immediately without delay. The induction requirement and the plan on how to implement it, shall be documented as part of a Management-in-use Plan.

FRNSW: FRNSW recommend the proposed Management-is-use Plan be included as an Essential Fire Safety Measure for the building.

WGE: FER will include a requirement for the MIU Plan to form part of the Essential Fire Safety Measures.

FRNSW: Noted.


WGE: This assessment will aim to show that structural failure and fire spread would be adequately limited by the voluntary sprinkler system. The sprinkler system is expected to limit the temperatures within the compartment to less than 200°C [Mawhinney, J.R., 1994, “Effects of automatic sprinkler protection on smoke control”, National Research Council, Canada]. Such temperatures are not considered sufficient to affect the timber floor / ceiling structure and therefore fire spread to other compartments and structural failure would not be expected. This methodology is considered consistent with the Guide to the BCA which states “it may be found by a building proponent using an Alternate Solution that FRLs to building elements are not necessary as other means, such as the use of active systems, satisfy the Performance Requirements.”

The assessment will also demonstrate that sprinkler systems are reliable and that an uncontrolled fire would be an unlikely event. However, the assessment will consider a scenario where the sprinklers fail to operate. Therefore, an uncontrolled fire scenario will be assessed to determine whether fire spread and structural failure is adequately limited to the degree necessary. As per Performance Requirements CP1, CP2 and CP8, the BCA uses terms such as “to the degree necessary” and “appropriate to”. As such, the BCA recognises that fire spread and structural collapse cannot always be avoided indefinitely, but in fact needs to be avoided or resisted for a period of time that is appropriate to support the safe evacuation of occupants, fire brigade intervention and the protection of adjoining property.

Furthermore, a quantitative assessment will be carried out to demonstrate that occupants are able to safely evacuate before the onset of untenable conditions and before any significant fire spread or structural failure occurs. The aim of the provisions above and the fire safety strategy is to suppress the fire and to provide early detection and alarm of a fire scenario to allow occupants to evacuate safely.

Zone modelling using the software CFAST, will be undertaken to determine the Available Safe Evacuation Time (ASET) for the reasonably worst case credible fire scenarios.


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The following tenability criteria will allow the determination of the ASET from the simulated model.

Table 1 : Occupant tenability and failure criteria

Criteria Reference

Convective heat Temperature > 120 °C when smoke layer is below 2.0 m BS 7974: PD 6 [19]

Radiant heat exposure Radiant flux > 2.5 kW/m2 at 2.0 m, or smoke layer temperature

> 200 °C when smoke layer is at or above 2.0 m

Visibility Visibility >5 m when smoke layer is below a height of 2.0 m for queueing

Visibility >10 m when smoke layer is below a height of 2.0 m for large spaces

Structural Stability of Floor Structure

Timber Floors - 300°C based on the charring characteristics of timber. (SFPE Handbook 2002)

Concrete / steel plates – Expected to be greater than 300oC, however a 300oC failure criterion for fire spread will be assumed as well for conservatism.

Smoke beyond the room of origin.

Temperature > 300 °C is considered to be a reasonable criteria based on the construction provided (timber floor / ceiling structures). (SFPE Handbook 2002)

Evacuation modelling will be undertaken using the Pathfinder software tool to determine the Required Safe Evacuation Time (RSET). There are 3 main components that make up the RSET, detection and alarm time, response time and movement time. The following values will be used for these components.

Table 2 : Summary of RSET components – Egress from the room of origin

Description Time Discussion

Detection and Alarm Time < 30 s

Based on the small size of the rooms, occupants in the room of fire origin are expected to become aware of a fire almost instantaneously. (SFPE Handbook 2002)

Response Time 0 s Based on the small size of the rooms, occupants are expected to respond immediately after seeing a real fire.

Movement Time To be determined Based on Pathfinder model.

Table 3 : Summary of RSET components – Egress from the building

Description Time Discussion

Detection and Alarm Time To be determined To be estimated from the zone modelling of fire and smoke (CFAST).

Response Time 60 s Based on specific staff training and the SFPE Handbook 2002.

Movement Time To be determined Based on Pathfinder model. A 1.2 m/s walking speed will be assumed (SFPE, 2002).




Assessment methods:


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Fire spread shall be adequately limited and structural stability shall be maintained to a degree necessary to:

Facilitate occupant evacuation; and

Facilitate fire brigade intervention; and

Prevent collapse onto adjoining properties.

As per tables above, failure criterion for timber elements is assumed to be 300°C for this assessment.

To determine whether the Performance Solution is considered to meet the BCA Performance Requirements in terms of occupant evacuation, the following will be demonstrated:

Design Fire Scenario - The Available Safe Evacuation Time (ASET) shall be greater than the Required Safe Evacuation Time (RSET) whilst incorporating a 1.5 safety factor.

ASET > RSET x 1.5

Redundancy Fire Scenario - The Available Safe Evacuation Time (ASET) shall be greater than the Required Safe Evacuation Time (RSET) with no safety factor.

ASET > RSET


Design Fire Scenario

A sprinkler controlled fire on the ground floor growing at a Medium[1] growth rate until sprinkler activation (activation time to be determined). After sprinkler activation the fire size will remain constant.

Redundancy Fire Scenario

An uncontrolled fire on the ground floor growing at a Medium growth rate until flashover.

Fire Characteristics

Heat of Combustion: 31,000 kJ/kg [2]

Soot yield: 10% [2]

CO yield: 5% [2]

[1] SFS 2012, ‘Practice Note for Design Fires’, Society of Fire Safety, Australia.

[2] SFPE 2002, ‘SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering’, 3rd edition, National Fire Protection Association


The sprinkler system is expected to extinguish or at least control the spread of fire and therefore would limit the impact on the structure. Therefore, the attending fire brigade are expected to be presented with a smaller fire when compared to buildings that are not sprinkler protected.


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Should the sprinkler system fail to operate effectively, the assessment will aim to show that occupants are able to evacuate safely prior to flashover conditions and therefore activities would be limited to external fire-fighting.



A sprinkler failure scenario will be assessed.


CFAST Zone Modelling. See attached form.

FRNSW: The proposed methodology as described above appears to be inappropriate for addressing the relevant Performance Requirements listed above. FRNSW recommend Clauses CP1, CP2 and CP8 be adequately addressed by consideration of other methods of analysis, as the ASET/RSET analysis proposed does not address the impact on “maintaining structural stability”, and to “avoid” / “resist” the spread of fire.

WGE: The FER will expand on the assessment with more of a focus on structural stability and fire spread and how the ASET/RSET analysis relates to part of it. See above for more details on the proposed methodology. FRNSW: In principle support is provided subject to the following:

- Inputs and assumptions detailed in the FER and being agreed to by all relevant stakeholders; and - The analysis detailed in the FER demonstrating compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements

of the NCC.


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Issue number: 3 Title: Pump Room Fire Separation


Existing fire pump room within Bay 2 is not fire separated from the remainder of the building.


C2.12 Performance requirements:

CP2, CP6






A qualitative assessment will be carried out to demonstrate that fire spread from the pump room to other parts of the building is adequately limited to facilitate occupant evacuation. The assessment will take into consideration the provision of a non-required sprinkler system and the lack of combustible materials typically associated with pump rooms. The assessment will aim to show that a fire originating within the pump room would be considered no worse than a fire originating in other parts of the building that are not required to be separated.




Assessment methods:





Bay 1

Bay 2

Bay 3

Bay 4

Bay 5

Fire Hydrant Booster

Pump room

Bay 2


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Fire spread shall be adequately limited to facilitate the safe evacuation of occupants.


Fire within the pump room.


The sprinkler system is expected to limit fire spread to a degree necessary to facilitate fire brigade intervention.



A sprinkler failure scenario will be considered.




WGE: Noted.


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Issue number: 4 Title: Rising and Descending Stairs


Stair 2 (Bay 4) & Stair 5 (Bay 3) incorporates rising and descending flights contrary to the requirements of Clause D2.4 of the BCA.


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Fire-isolated stair no. 1 discharges within the building on the ground floor of Bay 4.


D1.7(b), D2.4 Performance requirements:

DP4, DP5




The final discharge level of stairs 2 and 5 shall be clearly highlighted within the stair, by signage stating ‘EXIT TO STREET’.

Medium temperature smoke seals (tested to resist smoke at 200°C for 30 minutes) shall be provided around the entire perimeter of all the fire-isolated exit doors as well as any doors providing access between Bay 4 & 5.

The area on the ground floor where Fire Stair 1 discharges, shall be separated from the remaining ground floor area by construction that will resist the spread of smoke into the lobby.

Medium temperature smoke seals (tested to resist smoke at 200°C for 30 minutes) shall be provided around the entire perimeter of the doors serving the area where Fire Stair 1 discharges.


Rising and Descending Stairs

The purpose of the assessment is to demonstrate qualitatively that occupants would be able to evacuate safely via stair 2 and 5 by clearing highlighting the level of discharge with signage inside the stairs. The signage will be provided to avoid the delay in evacuation as a result of occupants mistakenly passing the level of discharge (Level 2 in stair 2).

Should occupants not see the signage, the sprinkler system and smoke seals are expected to delay the onset of hazardous conditions within the stair to offset the delay associated with seeking the final discharge level.


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Discharge from Fire-isolated Exit

The aim of this assessment is to show that the area where Fire Stair 1 discharges will allow to occupants to continue evacuating safely to a road or open space, given the area is smoke protected and the building is provided with a voluntary sprinkler system. The sprinkler system is expected to prevent fire spread to the subject area and the bounding construction and smoke seals are expected to prevent smoke spread, hence providing safe conditions where the stair discharges.




Assessment methods:














The delay in finding the final discharge level from within stairs 2 & 5 shall not impede the safe evacuation of occupants.

The occupants shall be adequately protected from the effects of fire and smoke from the discharge location of Fire Stair 1 until they reach a road or open space.


Fire in close proximity to the subject stairs.

Fire in close proximity to the subject stair discharge location.



The signage is expected to provide the attending fire brigade with directions to the final level of discharge when within subject stair.

The sprinkler system and smoke seals are expected to provide the fire brigade with further protection should there be a delay associated with seeking the final discharge level.


The sprinkler system and smoke resistant construction is expected to facilitate safe access for the attending fire brigade.


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The assessment will consider a scenario where the occupants do not see the signage and continue beyond the final level of discharge.


The assessment will consider a scenario where the door separating the discharge area from the rest of the ground floor is obstructed in the open position.




WGE: Noted.


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Issue number: 5 Title: Hydrant System Supply


Hydrant and sprinkler systems to share water supply infrastructure (single town main and 2 pumps) compliant with AS2118.6. Downstream of the pumps the manifold pipework will supply the Sprinkler system and the Hydrant system separately.

FRNSW: FRNSW recommend further clarification of the non compliance be provided.

WGE: This is only considered a technical non-compliance because AS2118.6 is not also applied downstream of the pumps, however it is not necessary since they are separate compliant systems beyond that point.

In accordance with Specification E1.5 of the BCA, a combined sprinkler and hydrant system to AS2118.6-2012 may be provided in lieu of two separate systems. AS2118.6-2012 requires additional measures to ensure the operation of the sprinkler system does not affect the performance of the hydrant system. This includes measures such as the following:

Sprinkler control assemblies within fire-isolated stairs on each level; and

Water supplies and pumps having the capacity to address the demand of both systems simultaneously.

Sprinkler control assemblies provide for sprinkler isolation on each level of the building mainly for maintenance purposes, but also for fire-fighting purposes in the unlikely event that sprinklers need to be isolated from the hydrant system. In the event of a fire, the attending fire brigade may require the sprinklers to be isolated in circumstances where the sprinkler system demand on the water supply is too great for the hydrant system to operate effectively (i.e. burst sprinkler main etc.). By isolating the sprinkler system, the fire brigade would be able to better control the flow and pressure from the hydrant hoses.

The requirement for water supplies to cater for both systems simultaneously will ensure that when the sprinkler system operates as designed, it would not affect the water supply for the hydrant system.

In the proposed design, the hydrant and sprinkler systems share the water supply infrastructure (single town main and 2 pumps) that is compliant with AS2118.6-2012. Downstream of the pumps the manifold pipework will supply the sprinkler system and the hydrant system separately in accordance with AS2118.1-1999 and AS2419.1-2005 respectively. The isolation valve for the sprinkler system is provided within the sprinkler valve / pump room and therefore the need for individual sprinkler control assemblies on each level is not required. Therefore, if needed, the sprinkler system can be isolated in the pump room and the hydrant system would then continue to operate without being affected by the sprinkler system. It should be noted this would only be the case if the sprinklers are operating beyond design capacity. It is considered that this scenario where the fire is controlled by sprinklers would be less hazardous for the attending fire brigade when compared to a BCA DtS compliant solution that has a stand-alone hydrant system and is not sprinkler protected.

In terms of water supply capacity, the combined water supply in the proposed design will be designed in accordance with AS2118.6-2012. Therefore, the system is expected to be capable of supplying both systems simultaneously.

As such, it is considered that the fire hydrant will be provided with a reliable water supply to a degree necessary to facilitate fire brigade intervention.

FRNSW: Noted


E1.3, AS2419.1, AS2118.6

Clauses?

Clause 2 of Specification E1.5

Clause 2.2.1 of AS2118.6-2012

Performance requirements:

EP1.3




The internal fire hydrants are to be upgraded in accordance with AS2419.1-2005.


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Hydrants / Sprinkler shared supply – The assessment will aim to show that due to the voluntary provision of the sprinkler system and the provision of a sprinkler isolation valve, the water supply for the hydrant system is not expected to be affected. The solution will take into consideration the benefits of sprinklers operating and controlling the fire prior to the use of hydrants when compared to a BCA DtS compliant design with no sprinklers. FRNSW: Is there insufficient flow to operate both systems simultaneously?

WGE: The water supply will be sufficient for both. The water supply and pumps will be provided in accordance with AS2118.6-2012 to cater for the demand of both systems simultaneously. The assessment is just also discussing an unlikely redundancy scenario where the sprinkler system draws too much water (i.e. burst sprinkler main etc.). The assessment will show that the sprinkler system could be isolated from the hydrant system in such a scenario similar to a typical combined system.

FRNSW: Noted




Assessment methods:














The fire hydrant system shall be provided with a reliable water supply and floor coverage, to safely facilitate fire brigade intervention.


Fire within Bay 5.


As per proposed alternative solution above.



The assessment will take into consideration the following redundancy scenarios:

Sprinkler system demand beyond the design capacity (i.e. burst sprinkler main, too many heads activated etc.).




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FRNSW: Insufficient information has been presented at this stage to allow FRNSW to adequately assess the proposed alternative solution. Therefore, FRNSW is unable to support the proposed alternative solution at this stage.

WGE: Please see additional information provided above.

FRNSW Comment: In principle support is provided subject to the analysis in the FER demonstrating compliance with the performance requirements of the NCC.


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Issue number: 6 Title: Omission of a Fire Hose Reel from Bay 1


It is proposed to omit the fire hose reels from Bay 1.


E1.4 Performance requirements:

EP1.1




Portable fire extinguishers are to be installed throughout in accordance with AS2441-2001.

All permanent staff working within the building shall be inducted in the evacuation procedures of the building. As part of this induction, staff shall be informed that in event of a fire alarm, it is essential that occupants evacuate immediately without delay. The induction requirement and the plan on how to implement it, shall be documented as part of a Management-in-use Plan.


A qualitative comparative assessment will be carried out for Bay 1, to show that the proposed design with sprinklers and portable fire extinguishers will facilitate an initial attack on a fire to a degree better than or at least equivalent to that of a BCA DtS compliant design without sprinklers, but with a fire hose reel system and fire extinguishers. The assessment will consider the hazards associated with the use of fire hose reels for this particular building, such as fire hose reels potentially obstructing fire compartmentation doors and delaying the evacuation. Portable fire extinguishers will be provided throughout the building for occupants to undertake an early attack on a fire, and the voluntary sprinkler system will suppress fires that are beyond the extinguishing capacity of a portable fire extinguisher without delaying the evacuation of occupants.




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Assessment methods:














Occupants shall be provided with an appropriate means of undertaking an initial attack on a fire to a degree that is at least equivalent to a BCA DtS compliant design.


Fire in Bay 1.


If it can be shown that occupants are provided with an adequate means of attacking the fire during the early stages, then it is considered that the impact on fire brigade intervention would not be relevant for this departure.



Comparative assessment comparing active systems in both designs, therefore redundancy analysis would not be beneficial since a failure in one design would mean a similar failure in the other design.



FRNSW: Further details are required as to why Bay 1 is unique to require the omission of fire hose reels, when compared to all the other bays within the subject building. FRNSW notes that the assessment carried out is comparative in nature, and therefore when comparing all bays of the building, the omission of the fire hose reel in one bay warrants further details such as reason(s) for the omission.

WGE: Due to the heritage nature of the building, the fire hose reel in Bay 1 would have to be located in the external stair to avoid significant impact on heritage items. This location may encroach on the width of occupant egress along the stair and it may also obstruct the closing of the fire door protecting the stair when the hose reel is in use. As such, the risks may outweigh the benefits of having a hose reel in Bay 1, especially given the provision of a sprinkler system.

FRNSW: How are DTS compliant hose reels provided in all other bays within the subject building, as opposed to the area shown for Bay 1 above? How did all those other areas mitigate the issues with occupant egress widths? Is the area shown above the only area subject to heritage-listed requirements?

WGE: As discussed the area in question outside of the stairs is heritage listed, so we are not allowed to add the hose reels in this area, this is not the case in other bays. The only other option is the placement of the hose reel


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within the stairs, which would reduce and affective egress width. Given the provision of sprinklers, provision of extinguishers and limited area affected (200m2) the proposed is considered reasonable.

In addition to the above, the work undertaken Arup on the provision of hose reels in Class 5 buildings should be noted, discussed and considered. The provision of sprinklers is considered to vastly decrease the risk in comparison to the increase (0.000105% under 25m (assumed unsprinklered) and 0.000004% over 25m) incurred by not providing a hose reel.

FRNSW: In principle support is provided subject to the following:

- Occupancy use for Bay 1 being deemed as a Class 5 building only

- On the basis of the specific list of measures provided and the additional justification presented above; and

- The analysis detailed in the FER demonstrating compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements of the NCC.

FRNSW however do not support the omission of fire hose reels in Class 9b parts, if the subject are deemed or contains Class 9b portions, as it is deemed to be a reliable fire measure for undertaking initial attack on fire for these types of occupancy use.


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Issue number: 7 Title: Access to the hydrant booster and pump room


Access to the fire pump room is not fire-isolated.

The hydrant and sprinkler booster is not protected in accordance with AS2419.1.


E1.3 Performance requirements:

EP1.3, CP2, EP2.2



Bay 1

Bay 2

Bay 3

Bay 4

Bay 5

Fire Hydrant Booster

Pump room

Bay 2


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Access to the pump room – The assessment will aim to show that due to the provision of a non-required sprinkler system, safe access to the pump room will be provided. In the event of a fire on the ground floor of Bay 2 (adjacent to the pump room), the sprinkler system is likely to control the fire. As such the attending fire brigade should be able to attack the small fire from a pumping appliance outside Bay 2 using either the fire hydrant booster as a water supply or water tank on the pumping appliance. In the event that the sprinkler system fails, the attending fire brigade would also be able to approach the fire from an external position using a pumping appliance and the fire hydrant booster as a water supply.

Fire Hydrant Booster Protection – The assessment will aim to show that due to the provision of a non-required sprinkler system, the booster would be adequately protected from a fire within the building. The assessment will analyse the impact on the fire brigade at the booster from a fire within Bay 1, by estimating the likely exposure to radiant heat during a sprinkler protected fire. The assessment will also consider a sprinkler failure scenario qualitatively to show that fire brigade intervention would still be facilitated via other means of fire-fighting. The attending fire brigade could approach the booster initially under the protection of the on-board water supply of the pumping appliances or in some circumstances, street hydrants could also be used.




Assessment methods:














The attending fire brigade shall be provided with safe access and protection to a degree necessary to facilitate fire brigade intervention.


Access to the pump room – Sprinkler controlled and uncontrolled fires on the ground floor of Bay 2, adjacent to the pump room.

Fire Hydrant Booster Protection – Sprinkler controlled and uncontrolled fires on the ground floor of Bay 1, adjacent to the booster assembly.


As per the proposed alternative solution above.



Assessment will consider sprinkler failure as a scenario.


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Stefan-Boltzmann Equation as follows will be used to estimate the radiant heat at the hydrant booster assembly.

𝑄𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 𝜀𝜎𝑇4

FRNSW: In principle support is provided subject to the analysis detailed in the FER demonstrating compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements.

WGE: Noted. FRNSW recommends copies of the fire services block plans be provided at the FIP.

WGE: Noted. The FER will include this recommendation. Clarification is recommended on the location of the designated building entry point, location of the fire brigade panel and thus if the booster is in sight of the main entry.

WGE: The building has 5 bays and as such has multiple entrances and no particular “main” entrance. However, the booster, pump room and FIP are located on the same corner of the building (see below).

FRNSW Comment: In principle support is provided subject to the analysis in the FER demonstrating compliance with the performance requirements of the NCC.

Road (Circular Quay West)

Entrance within 20 m of booster


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8 Construction, commissioning, management, use and maintenance

What considerations does the alternative solution require during the construction phase?

None identified at this stage. FER will document any necessary considerations if identified at a later stage.

How will the alternative solution affect commissioning of the systems (e.g. listed on fire safety schedule as essential or critical measure, combined new and old installations)?

Fire engineering requirements will be listed on the fire safety schedule as essential fire safety measures.

How will the alternative solution be addressed for ongoing building management and use (e.g. details to be provided in a ‘fire safety management plan’ for the building manager)?

Management-in-use procedures / plans shall be developed where necessary and will be identified in the FER.

How will any restrictions on fuel load/use/populations within the alternative solution be managed and enforced (e.g. details to be provided in ‘emergency management plan’)?

Management-in-use procedures / plans shall be developed where necessary and will be identified in the FER.

How will the alternative solution be addressed for maintenance (e.g. details included on fire safety schedule, location of fire engineering report on site, plain English summary adjacent to FIP)?

FER to form part of the management documentation. Fire engineering requirements will be listed on the fire safety schedule as essential fire safety measures.

9 Additional comments

N/A

Note: Any in principle support extended for alternative solution issues through consultation is contingent upon all assumptions, analyses and conclusions in the fire engineering report being fully justified, and referenced as appropriate, to demonstrate how the relevant performance requirements have been satisfied to the extent required by the agreed acceptance criteria.

10 Scheduled charges

FRNSW charge for the provision of services performed in connection with statutory fire safety as per the schedule of charges identified in clause 46 and schedule 3 of the Fire Brigades Regulation 2014.

The charge applicable is $2,600 for each day (or part of a day) spent by the Commissioner or a fire brigade member providing advisory, assessment or consultancy services.

Note: For a full description of the charges applicable including terms, payment options, applying for a waiver or reduction of the charges, please refer to the FRNSW website at firesafety.fire.nsw.gov.au.

11 Contact us

For further information contact the Fire Safety Branch on (02) 9742 7434 or email [email protected].


http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2014/551/part5/sec46

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2014/551/sch3

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/

mailto:[email protected]

Fire Engineering Brief Questionnaire (FEBQ)

Documents

Transcript of Fire Engineering Brief Questionnaire (FEBQ)