Fire is one of the risks that absolutely anyone who is involved in building design and construction must remain highly vigilant around to do their part in eliminating.
The stakes don’t get any higher than the risk of injury or death to those who will be using the buildings.
Yet despite those widely-held concerns, the reality is that there are still cases when a buildings fire protection fails and a fire in one area is unable to be managed by the structural elements and components fitted to the building.
In Australia this risk is not as well understood as it should be. In particular, due to the complex and changing landscape of building regulations, it is difficult to keep up with any issues that may arise.
A key specific issue stems from old criteria of Australia’s National Construction Code which had allowed certain alternative solutions (not deemed-to-satisfy) for special-purpose sprinkler systems to be used with fixed glass assemblies as an alternative to a fire rated wall assembly.
Technical reviews have been undertaken in recent years and knowledge evolved, and for example in 2014 an Evaluation Report for ESR-2397 was reissued, for the use of sprinklers on glass walls in lieu of a fire rated wall assembly, with heavy limitations on the use of the systems.
Unfortunately, according to an expert in the field, Brendan Kennedy, Managing Director of Smoke Control, there remain thousands of ”fundamentally flawed” sprinkler systems currently installed in buildings.
Mr Kennedy, a mechanical and fire safety engineer with more than 18 years’ experience in the industry says, “The commercial impact of the new evaluation report is significant. While it prevents the cutting of corners and clearly identifies the requirements to Building Certifiers and Fire Services, the capital cost of the new system will increase and the architectural benefits will significantly decrease.”
What about solutions?
Smoke Control have been tackling the issue for many years, investing heavily in the research and development of alternative solutions for the construction industry.
To date, they are one of the only businesses to have engineered a range of fire protected glazing systems that do not require the installation of a sprinkler system when installed correctly.
VisioneeringTM by Smoke Control has the capacity to save developers, building owners and employers looking to replace sprinkler/glass wall systems, a significant amount of money.
When installed as part of a complete system, including size of glass, frame, gaskets, hardware, fixings, and perimeter sealant, the Visioneering SmokeGlazeTM Frameless Glazing Systems achieve the specified fire resistance level when fire tested in accordance with AS1530.4 for both deemed-to-satisfy and Alternative Solutions. VisioneeringTM gives architects and designer’s freedom of design and one of the only floor-to-ceiling glazed system, whilst also ensuring any combination of fire, smoke, sound, energy, light and security requirements are met.
For more information on this issue, click here to download free the full whitepaper from Smoke Control.
