Fire Design Services

FSP provide fire design services of the following systems:

  • Automatic fire sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm and detection system
  • EWIS and Occupant Warning System
  • Fire hose reel and hydrant system
  • Fire emergency light and exit sign
  • Fire extinguisher

If a detailed technical specification is required for complex projects, FSP can also help our Clients with specific technical specification for their projects.

Contact FSP by completing our online form for a FREE consultation and quote regarding fire design services for your project.

Automatic FIRE sprinkler system
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) in Part E1 Fire Fighting Equipment in Clause E1.5 Sprinklers, nominates when a sprinkler system is to be installed in a building. A sprinkler system is designed to suppress a fire and alert the fire brigade automatically. All building surveyors/ building certifiers will nominate sprinkler systems in the essential safety measures determination/ schedule.

A fire sprinkler system is an active fire suppression system, common in industrial and commercial buildings  consisting of a water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected. Generally, it is provided throughout Class 1 – 9 buildings if any part of the building has an effective height of more than 25m or in area which has exceeded a certain fire compartmentation size.

FSP can provide Fire Sprinkler design to Australian and international standards. We analysis each project on its merits, and provide an economical design using the latest technology and best practices available.

With the developments in computer based full hydraulic design packages. The complex piping network can become simple and economical. We provide best solution for your projects. We prepare our design drawings using CAD drawings, detailing such things as equipment Schedules, valve schematics & pipe hanger assemblies, giving a clear picture of the proposed system design.

FSP engineers can design your automatic sprinkler system to the following Australian Standards:

  • AS 2118.1 :1999 – Automatic suppression system
  • AS 2118.6 :2012 – Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems)
  • AS 2118.2:1995 – Wall wetting sprinkler and drencher systems
AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM and detection system
The Building Code of Australia in Clause E2.2 General Requirements and clause G3.8 Fire and smoke control systems, specify the installation of automatic fire detection and alarm systems in buildings. Automatic fire detection systems ultimately are nominated as essential safety measures by a building surveyor/ building certifier in an essential safety measures schedule/ determination.

Part E2 Smoke Hazard Management and Part G3 Atrium Construction, set out the requirements for when an automatic fire detection and alarm systems are to be installed in a building under a building permit relevant to automatic fire detection.

Specification E2.2a Smoke Detection and Alarm Systems in particular contain two clauses:

  • Clause 3 Smoke alarm system, which nominates smoke alarms to comply with AS 3786-1993 Smoke alarms, and
  • Clause 4 Smoke detection system, which nominates a smoke detection system to comply with AS 1670.1-2004 Fire detection warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation commissioning – Fire.

Most fire detection and alarm systems operate on the same basic principles. If a fire is detected, then an alarm is triggered. This warns building managers and occupants that there may be a fire and that evacuation may be necessary. Some systems include remote signalling equipment which can alert the fire brigade or a remote monitoring centre.

Fire can be detected by; heat detectors, flame detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and multi sensor detectors, or an alarm can be triggered at manual call points. Two power supplies are required, generally a mains supply and batteries providing 24 hours back up.

Single station residential smoke alarms, as installed in most homes, are the simplest system for detecting a fire and warning the building occupants.

The time between the outbreak of fire and the commencement of fire-fighting is the single most important factor in fire control and can be effectively reduced by having the system monitored directly by the fire service.

Fire alarm systems must be heard by the building occupants in all parts of the building. To achieve this, they are often connected to occupant evacuation warning and intercommunication systems which sound a defined ‘beep – beep – beep’ throughout the building when the detection system has been activated.

Sometimes these systems automatically close smoke and fire doors, operate flashing warning lights, stop air-conditioning systems or alert critical staff via personal pagers. Today these systems extensively rely upon computer systems and are changing at the same rapid pace as is computer technology. Today’s systems can be “intelligent” defining exactly where the fire is, determining if the smoke is from a fire threat or just burnt toast and advising the maintenance manager when the detector needs cleaning or other routine maintenance work is required.

FSP engineers can design your automatic fire alarm and detection system to the following Australia Standards:

  • AS/NZS 1670.3:2004 –  Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning Fire alarm monitoring
  • AS/NZS 1668.1:2015 – The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings
  • AS 3786:2004 – Smoke alarms using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization
  • AS 1670.1: 2015 – Fire Detection, Warning, Control and Intercom Systems – System Design, Installation and Commissioning – Fire
Fire hydrant system
Fire hydrants must be installed in buildings where the floor area (floor area includes the total sum of all the floor areas, including basements, plant rooms and mezzanine floors) of the building exceeds 500 sq. metres. Fire hydrants are not first attack appliances to be used by the occupiers of the building, but are specifically located under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for use by trained officers of the local fire brigade. Fire hydrants are nominated as an essential safety measure under all jurisdictions throughout Australia by a building surveyor/building certifier in the relevant essential safety measures schedule/ determination document.

Clause E1.3 Fire hydrants sets out the building requirements for fire hydrants and fire hydrant location for building approvals.

A fire hydrant system must be provided to the degree necessary to facilitate the needs of the fire brigade appropriate to:

(a) fire-fighting operations; and
(b) the floor area of the building; and
(c) the fire hazard.

FSP can provide Fire Hydrant design to Australian Standards. We analysis each project on its merits, and provide an economical design using the latest technology and best practices available:

  • AS 2419.1:2005 – Fire hydrant systems – System design, installation and commissioning
Fire hose reel system
Fire hose reels are provided for the occupants of a building to take “first strike” action against a fire.  As a part of the fire safety system, they provide the occupants with access to unlimited water supply for extinguishing fires and for protecting themselves from radiant heat.  In a 2017 study, the Australian Building Control Board questioned the benefits of fire hose reels versus portable fire extinguishers in office buildings.  In the UK, a study found that 80% of first strike responses were with portable fire extinguishers.

Clause E1.4(a) (b) and (c) prescribes in which buildings a fire hose reels system is required with the type of system being suitable for its purpose for all building permits.

The performance clause EP1.1 for fire hose reels states:

A fire hose reel system must be installed to the degree necessary to allow occupants to safely undertake initial attack on a fire appropriate to-

  1. the size of the fire compartment; and
  2. the function or use of the building; and
  3. any other fire safety systems installed in the building; and
  4. the fire hazard.

Often people are confused by the subtle differences between the requirements for fire hydrants and fire hose reels.

  • Every fire hose reel must be located next to a fire hydrant, but not every hydrant needs a fire hose reel.
  • If the building has internal fire hydrants, then fire hose reels are required.
  • For any sole-occupancy unit, or fire compartment, greater than 500m2 fire hose reels are required, whether or not there are hydrants located internally.

The Australian standard AS2441 defines the concept “system coverage”.  The fire hose reel or reels, need to be located within a design such that the occupant can reach a fire in any part of the building.  The maximum length of hose allowed for this calculation is 36m with a 4m spray from the nozzle. It is system coverage that will determine if internal hydrants are required.

FSP can provide Fire hose reel design to Australian Standards. We analysis each project on its merits, and provide an economical design using the latest technology and best practices available:

  • AS 2441:2005 – Installation of fire hose reels
Building Occupant Warning System
The Building Code of Australia specifies a building occupant warning system to be provided when the BCA requires a smoke hazard management system to be installed in the building. The building occupant warning system must be capable of alerting all occupants in all parts of the building to evacuate the building in an emergency. A building surveyor/ building certifier would nominate the building occupant warning system as an essential safety measure in under each state’s building legislation.

The Building Code of Australia in clause 8 of Specification E1.5 specifies that a required sprinkler system installed in a building must be connected to and be able to activate the building occupant warning system under a building permit.

FSP can design your Building Occupant Warning System to the following Australia Standards:

  • AS 1670.1-2004 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning – Fire
  • AS1670.4-2004 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning – Sound systems and intercom systems for emergency purposes (aka EWIS)
  • AS 1259.1-1990 Acoustics – Sound level meters – Non-integrating
FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSTALLATION
Portable fire extinguishers are nominated in the Building Code of Australia to be provided in Class 2 to 9 buildings. These fire extinguishers are provided to allow the occupants of a building to attack a fire in its initial stages. All fire extinguishers will be nominated as an essential safety measure by the building surveyor/ building certifier.

Fire extinguisher is one of the many effective fire deterrents available. They shall be designed to be compliant to AS2444. Different kinds of extinguishers are used for different scenarios. A CO2 extinguisher is more suitable with electrical fire, whereas a dry chemical extinguisher is for other cases such as fire caused by combustible metals or flammable gases. We also supply and install different sizes of fire blankets.

Building Code of Australia mandates coverage of fire extinguisher with respect to A, B, E and F rated Fire. Extinguishers like ABE powder cover A, B and E rating whereas to make allowance for F rated fire we need extinguishers like wet chemical extinguisher.

Class F fire relates to fire that can occur during heating of cooking oil. Hence the standard requires the installation of wet chemical extinguisher at the right location if there is any activity relating to heating of cooking oil.

The Building Code of Australia nominates AS 2444:2001- Portable fire extinguishers and Fire blankets – selection and location, for the selection, location and distribution of fire extinguishers under a building approval.

Portable fire extinguishers must be provided as listed in Table E1.6 and must be selected, located and distributed in accordance with Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of AS 2444.

I) Automatic FIRE sprinkler system

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) in Part E1 Fire Fighting Equipment in Clause E1.5 Sprinklers, nominates when a sprinkler system is to be installed in a building. A sprinkler system is designed to suppress a fire and alert the fire brigade automatically. All building surveyors/ building certifiers will nominate sprinkler systems in the essential safety measures determination/ schedule.

A fire sprinkler system is an active fire suppression system, common in industrial and commercial buildings  consisting of a water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected. Generally, it is provided throughout Class 1 – 9 buildings if any part of the building has an effective height of more than 25m or in area which has exceeded a certain fire compartmentation size.

FSP can provide Fire Sprinkler design to Australian and international standards. We analysis each project on its merits, and provide an economical design using the latest technology and best practices available.

With the developments in computer based full hydraulic design packages. The complex piping network can become simple and economical. We provide best solution for your projects. We prepare our design drawings using CAD drawings, detailing such things as equipment Schedules, valve schematics & pipe hanger assemblies, giving a clear picture of the proposed system design.

FSP engineers can design your automatic sprinkler system to the following Australian Standards:

  • AS 2118.1 :1999 – Automatic suppression system
  • AS 2118.6 :2012 – Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems)
  • AS 2118.2:1995 – Wall wetting sprinkler and drencher systems

 

II) AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM and detection system

The Building Code of Australia in Clause E2.2 General Requirements and clause G3.8 Fire and smoke control systems, specify the installation of automatic fire detection and alarm systems in buildings. Automatic fire detection systems ultimately are nominated as essential safety measures by a building surveyor/ building certifier in an essential safety measures schedule/ determination.

Part E2 Smoke Hazard Management and Part G3 Atrium Construction, set out the requirements for when an automatic fire detection and alarm systems are to be installed in a building under a building permit relevant to automatic fire detection.

Specification E2.2a Smoke Detection and Alarm Systems in particular contain two clauses:

  • Clause 3 Smoke alarm system, which nominates smoke alarms to comply with AS 3786-1993 Smoke alarms, and
  • Clause 4 Smoke detection system, which nominates a smoke detection system to comply with AS 1670.1-2004 Fire detection warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation commissioning – Fire.

Most fire detection and alarm systems operate on the same basic principles. If a fire is detected, then an alarm is triggered. This warns building managers and occupants that there may be a fire and that evacuation may be necessary. Some systems include remote signalling equipment which can alert the fire brigade or a remote monitoring centre.

Fire can be detected by; heat detectors, flame detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and multi sensor detectors, or an alarm can be triggered at manual call points. Two power supplies are required, generally a mains supply and batteries providing 24 hours back up.

Single station residential smoke alarms, as installed in most homes, are the simplest system for detecting a fire and warning the building occupants.

The time between the outbreak of fire and the commencement of fire-fighting is the single most important factor in fire control and can be effectively reduced by having the system monitored directly by the fire service.

Fire alarm systems must be heard by the building occupants in all parts of the building. To achieve this, they are often connected to occupant evacuation warning and intercommunication systems which sound a defined ‘beep – beep – beep’ throughout the building when the detection system has been activated.

Sometimes these systems automatically close smoke and fire doors, operate flashing warning lights, stop air-conditioning systems or alert critical staff via personal pagers. Today these systems extensively rely upon computer systems and are changing at the same rapid pace as is computer technology. Today’s systems can be “intelligent” defining exactly where the fire is, determining if the smoke is from a fire threat or just burnt toast and advising the maintenance manager when the detector needs cleaning or other routine maintenance work is required.

FSP engineers can design your automatic fire alarm and detection system to the following Australia Standards:

  • AS/NZS 1670.3:2004 –  Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning Fire alarm monitoring
  • AS/NZS 1668.1:2015 – The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings
  • AS 3786:2004 – Smoke alarms using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization
  • AS 1670.1: 2015 – Fire Detection, Warning, Control and Intercom Systems – System Design, Installation and Commissioning – Fire

 

III) Fire hydrant system

Fire hydrants must be installed in buildings where the floor area (floor area includes the total sum of all the floor areas, including basements, plant rooms and mezzanine floors) of the building exceeds 500 sq. metres. Fire hydrants are not first attack appliances to be used by the occupiers of the building, but are specifically located under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for use by trained officers of the local fire brigade. Fire hydrants are nominated as an essential safety measure under all jurisdictions throughout Australia by a building surveyor/building certifier in the relevant essential safety measures schedule/ determination document.

Clause E1.3 Fire hydrants sets out the building requirements for fire hydrants and fire hydrant location for building approvals.

A fire hydrant system must be provided to the degree necessary to facilitate the needs of the fire brigade appropriate to:

(a) fire-fighting operations; and
(b) the floor area of the building; and
(c) the fire hazard.

FSP can provide Fire Hydrant design to Australian Standards. We analysis each project on its merits, and provide an economical design using the latest technology and best practices available:

  • AS 2419.1:2005 – Fire hydrant systems – System design, installation and commissioning

 

IV) Fire hose reel system

Fire hose reels are provided for the occupants of a building to take “first strike” action against a fire.  As a part of the fire safety system, they provide the occupants with access to unlimited water supply for extinguishing fires and for protecting themselves from radiant heat.  In a 2017 study, the Australian Building Control Board questioned the benefits of fire hose reels versus portable fire extinguishers in office buildings.  In the UK, a study found that 80% of first strike responses were with portable fire extinguishers.

Clause E1.4(a) (b) and (c) prescribes in which buildings a fire hose reels system is required with the type of system being suitable for its purpose for all building permits.

The performance clause EP1.1 for fire hose reels states:

A fire hose reel system must be installed to the degree necessary to allow occupants to safely undertake initial attack on a fire appropriate to-

  1. the size of the fire compartment; and
  2. the function or use of the building; and
  3. any other fire safety systems installed in the building; and
  4. the fire hazard.

Often people are confused by the subtle differences between the requirements for fire hydrants and fire hose reels.

  • Every fire hose reel must be located next to a fire hydrant, but not every hydrant needs a fire hose reel.
  • If the building has internal fire hydrants, then fire hose reels are required.
  • For any sole-occupancy unit, or fire compartment, greater than 500m2 fire hose reels are required, whether or not there are hydrants located internally.

The Australian standard AS2441 defines the concept “system coverage”.  The fire hose reel or reels, need to be located within a design such that the occupant can reach a fire in any part of the building.  The maximum length of hose allowed for this calculation is 36m with a 4m spray from the nozzle. It is system coverage that will determine if internal hydrants are required.

FSP can provide Fire hose reel design to Australian Standards. We analysis each project on its merits, and provide an economical design using the latest technology and best practices available:

  • AS 2441:2005 – Installation of fire hose reels

 

V) Building Occupant Warning System

The Building Code of Australia specifies a building occupant warning system to be provided when the BCA requires a smoke hazard management system to be installed in the building. The building occupant warning system must be capable of alerting all occupants in all parts of the building to evacuate the building in an emergency. A building surveyor/ building certifier would nominate the building occupant warning system as an essential safety measure in under each state’s building legislation.

The Building Code of Australia in clause 8 of Specification E1.5 specifies that a required sprinkler system installed in a building must be connected to and be able to activate the building occupant warning system under a building permit.

FSP can design your Building Occupant Warning System to the following Australia Standards:

  • AS 1670.1-2004 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning – Fire
  • AS1670.4-2004 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning – Sound systems and intercom systems for emergency purposes (aka EWIS)
  • AS 1259.1-1990 Acoustics – Sound level meters – Non-integrating

 

VI) FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSTALLATION

Portable fire extinguishers are nominated in the Building Code of Australia to be provided in Class 2 to 9 buildings. These fire extinguishers are provided to allow the occupants of a building to attack a fire in its initial stages. All fire extinguishers will be nominated as an essential safety measure by the building surveyor/ building certifier.

Fire extinguisher is one of the many effective fire deterrents available. They shall be designed to be compliant to AS2444. Different kinds of extinguishers are used for different scenarios. A CO2 extinguisher is more suitable with electrical fire, whereas a dry chemical extinguisher is for other cases such as fire caused by combustible metals or flammable gases. We also supply and install different sizes of fire blankets.

Building Code of Australia mandates coverage of fire extinguisher with respect to A, B, E and F rated Fire. Extinguishers like ABE powder cover A, B and E rating whereas to make allowance for F rated fire we need extinguishers like wet chemical extinguisher.

Class F fire relates to fire that can occur during heating of cooking oil. Hence the standard requires the installation of wet chemical extinguisher at the right location if there is any activity relating to heating of cooking oil.

The Building Code of Australia nominates AS 2444:2001- Portable fire extinguishers and Fire blankets – selection and location, for the selection, location and distribution of fire extinguishers under a building approval.

Portable fire extinguishers must be provided as listed in Table E1.6 and must be selected, located and distributed in accordance with Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of AS 2444.