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Fire Safety Engineering
Building Services Engineering
20 October 2015
Our Ref: 15258-L01a
CDArchitects
Level 2, 60 Park Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Attn: Mr Ziad Chanine
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT – 4 to 6 LOFTUS CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH
PROVISION FOR FIRE ENGINEERING (FOR DA SUBMISSION)
We refer to the proposed residential development to be located at 4 to 6 Loftus Crescent Homebush,
and provide the following in regards to the proposed use of Alternative Solutions to address identified
variations to the Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) provisions of the Building Code of Australia 2015 (BCA). The
purpose of this document is to assist in the design development process, and to assist the Consent
Authority in the determination of the Development Application.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed works include the construction of a new residential development comprising:

Lower Basement - car parking, ancillary

Upper Basement - car parking, ancillary

Ground Floor - car park entry, entry lobby, residential units

Levels 01 to 04 - residential units
The development will comprise the construction of 2 blocks of residential units (Blocks A and B), over
basement car parking levels. The site is bounded by Loftus Crescent to the south, a Laneway partly to
the north, and adjoining allotments to the east, west, and also partly to the north.
Egress from the basement levels is via 2 dedicated exits, which are fire separated from the basement
levels and discharge directly onto ground floor. As the basement levels will be fully sprinkler
protected, the exit stairs are not required to be constructed as fire-isolated exits. Egress from the
ground floor residential units is direct to an open space via the main entry lobbies.
For Block A, egress from the above ground residential levels is via a single fire-isolated exit that
discharges into the ground floor entry lobby, in lieu of directly to an open space via a fire-isolated
passageway. For Block B, egress from the above ground residential levels is via a single fire-isolated
exits that discharges into a covered area on ground floor that is not open for at least 1/3 of its
perimeter and does not comprise an unobstructed height of at least 3m. Further, travel to the public
road exceeds 6m and requires re-entry through Block A.
BCA ASSESSMENT DATA
The relevant BCA Assessment Data for the proposed development is summarised in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Relevant BCA Assessment Data
BCA Reference
BCA Assessment
Building Classification and Use
Class 2 (residential sole-occupancy units)
Class 7a (car parking)
Rise in Storeys
5
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Table 1: Cont’d
BCA Reference
BCA Assessment
Number of Levels Contained
7
Minimum Type of Construction Required
Type A
Effective Height
Less than 25m (≈ 13m)
Maximum Size of Fire Compartments
To comply for Type A construction
PROPOSED VARIATIONS TO BCA DTS PROVISIONS
Outlined below are the proposed variations to the Deemed to Satisfy (DTS) provisions of the Building
Code of Australia 2015 (BCA) associated with the subject development.
NOTE: At this stage of the design, the identified variations to the DTS provisions of the BCA are not
exhaustive, and other variations may arise through the design and development process.
Protection of Openings in External Walls - BCA Clauses C3.2 & C3.4

It is proposed to vary the method of protection afforded to a number of openings within the
external walls of the building that will be located less than 3m from the side allotment
boundaries. The varied protection measures include:
o
No protection.
o
Protection with radiant heat attenuation screens.
It is also proposed to allow the abovementioned openings to remain openable to satisfy the
relevant natural ventilation requirements of the BCA.
Exit Travel Distances - BCA Clause D1.4

It is proposed to have an exit travel distance from within the basement levels to a point of
choice from which travel in different directions to 2 exits is available of up to 27m, in lieu of
20m.

It is proposed to have an exit travel distance from the entry door into a residential unit on
levels 01 to 04 to a single exit of greater than 6m (worst case being up to 12m).
Travel via Fire-Isolated Exits - BCA Clause D1.7

For Block A, it is proposed to have the fire-isolated exit serving the residential levels of the
building discharge into the ground floor entry lobby, in lieu of directly to an open space via a
fire-isolated passageway.

For Block B, it is proposed to have the fire-isolated exit serving the residential levels of the
building discharge into a covered area on ground floor that is not open for at least 1/3 of its
perimeter and does not comprise an unobstructed height of at least 3m. Further, travel to
the public road exceeds 6m and requires re-entry through Block A.
Fire Hydrants - BCA Clause E1.3

It is proposed to have the fire hydrant booster assembly located external to the building, and
within 10m of an external wall of the building comprising unprotected openings.
Fire Sprinkler Systems - BCA Specification E1.5

It is proposed to have the sprinkler control valve for the basement levels located within the
fire hydrant pump room that is accessed via a fire-isolated exit, in lieu of having direct access
from an open space.
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Sprinkler Valve
within Hydrant
Pump Room
27m Travel to
Point of Choice
27m Travel to
Point of Choice
Exit 2
Exit 1
Figure 1: Upper Basement Plan (Lower Basement Similar)
Fire-Isolated Exit
Discharges into
Entry Lobby
Fire-Isolated Exit
Discharges into
Covered Area
Fire Hydrant
Booster Assembly
Figure 2: Ground Floor Plan
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12m Travel to
Single Exit
Figure 3: Level 01 Plan
12m Travel to
Single Exit
Figure 4: Level 02 Plan
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12m Travel to
Single Exit
Opening Subject to Assessment
12m Travel to
Single Exit
Opening Subject to Assessment
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12m Travel to
Single Exit
Figure 5: Level 03 Plan
12m Travel to
Single Exit
Opening Subject to Assessment
12m Travel to
Single Exit
Figure 6: Level 04 Plan
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ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE WITH THE BCA
A Building Solution will comply with the BCA if it satisfies the Performance Requirements of the BCA.
Clause A0.5 of the BCA states that compliance with the Performance Requirements can only be
achieved by:
(a) complying with the Deemed to Satisfy provisions; or
(b) formulating an Alternative Solution which -
(c)
(i)
complies with the Performance Requirements; or
(ii)
is shown to be at least equivalent to the Deemed to Satisfy provisions; or
a combination of (a) and (b).
Clause A0.9 of the BCA states that the following Assessment Methods, or any combination of them,
can be used to determine that a Building Solution complies with the Performance Requirements:
(a) Evidence to support that the use of a material, form of construction or design meets a
Performance Requirement or a Deemed to Satisfy Provision as described in A2.2.
(b) Verification methods such as -
(c)
(i)
the Verification Methods in the BCA; or
(ii)
such other Verification Methods as the appropriate authority accepts for
determining compliance with the Performance Requirements.
Comparison with the Deemed to Satisfy provisions.
(d) Expert judgment
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED FIRE ENGINEERING STRATEGY
General
The proposed Fire Engineered Solution will be completed in accordance with the processes described
in the International Fire Engineering Guidelines, and will be prepared by a C10 Accredited Fire Safety
Engineer (accredited with the NSW Building Professionals Board).
Alternative Solution 1 - Protection of Openings in External Walls
Proposed Method of Analysis
A Quantitative Analysis is proposed to be undertaken to assess the Alternative Solution against the
relevant Performance Requirements of the BCA, as permitted under Clauses A0.9(b)(i) & (ii) of the
BCA.
A radiant heat assessment is proposed to be undertaken to determine the amount of heat radiation
emitted from the subject openings to the allotment boundaries, which will be compared to the heat
flux limits nominated under Verification Method CV1 of the BCA. A radiant heat assessment is also
proposed to be undertaken to demonstrate that the subject openings will be able to withstand
potential heat flux received, in the event of fire in a building on an adjacent allotment. The potential
heat flux received will be based on Verification Method CV1 of the BCA.
Proposed Modelling Tools
Program Radiation within the Firewind package is proposed to be used to calculate both the potential
radiant heat flux emitted from, and received by, the subject openings.
Firewind1 is a collection of fire engineering programs which has grown out of an earlier FIRECALC
CSIRO2 and FIREFORM NIST3. Firewind provides the facility for fast calculation of specific fire
engineering problems, where the results of these can then be used as part of an overall engineering
solution to a particular design situation.
1
Firewind, Computer Software for the Fire Engineering Professional, Version 3.6, 2003
Division of Building, Construction & Engineering, Top Ryde, Sydney
3
USA, National Institute of Standards and Technology
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Proposed Acceptance Criteria
The Alternative Solution is to be shown to satisfy BCA Performance Requirement CP2 in terms of
avoiding the spread of fire between buildings on adjoining allotments. Demonstrating compliance
with BCA Performance Requirement CP2 is proposed to be based on Verification Method CV1 of the
BCA, which considers both emitted and received radiation.

Emitted Radiation - The emitted radiation from the subject openings is not to exceed the
heat flux limitations given by BCA Verification Method CV1 within the boundaries of the
adjoining allotments.

Received Radiation - A limit of 20 kW/m2 of received radiation at the subject openings is
proposed to be considered, which corresponds to the level of heat flux required to ignite
“normal” combustible materials found within buildings. NOTE: Clause C3.2 of the BCA does
not require openings in external walls to be protected where they are located 3m or more
from an allotment boundary. When applying Verification Method CV1, a distance of 3m
equates to a maximum radiant heat exposure of 20 kW/m2.
Where radiant heat screens are fitted to the openings, a limit of 25 kW/m2 of received
radiation at the subject openings is proposed to be considered. This level of radiation
represents the limitation in which non-piloted ignition of cotton fabric (e.g. curtains) occurs
after prolonged exposure, as referenced in AS 1530.4-20054.
Alternative Solution 2 - Exit Travel Distances (Basement Levels)
Preliminary Fire Safety Strategy
The preliminary fire safety strategy will be based on:

The provision of fast response sprinklers throughout the basement levels in lieu of standard
response sprinklers. It is proposed to demonstrate that the provision of fast response
sprinklers will improve occupant cue time in the event of fire, and thus offset the additional
travel distances to reach the point of choice.

The effectiveness of fire sprinklers to mitigate the development and spread of fire.

The characteristics and use of the basement levels.
Proposed Method of Analysis
Both a Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis is proposed to be undertaken to compare the Alternative
Solution against the DTS Provisions of the BCA, as permitted under Clause A0.9(c) of the BCA. The
Quantitative Analysis will compare the Required Safe Evacuation Time (RSET) from the basement
levels for the Alternative Solution against a DTS Compliant Design. That is, RSETAlt Sol < RSETDTS.
The Qualitative Analysis will consider the characteristics and use of the basement levels, the
characteristics of the occupants, and the risk of the path of travel to the point of choice being blocked
or obstructed as a result of fire when compared to a DTS Compliant Design.
Proposed Acceptance Criteria
The Alternative Solution is to be shown to comply with BCA Performance Requirements DP4 and
EP2.2 in terms of ensuring occupants are allowed to evacuate from the basement levels safely and
under tenable conditions, at least equivalent to that of a design that complies with the minimum DTS
provisions of the BCA.
4
Australian Standard, Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance test of
elements of construction.
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Alternative Solution 3 - Exit Travel Distances (Residential Levels)
Preliminary Fire Safety Strategy
The preliminary fire safety strategy will be based on:

The provision of an automatic smoke detection and alarm system throughout the common
areas building to BCA Specification E2.2a (Clause 4) and to the relevant provisions of
AS 1670.1. Smoke detectors are to be installed throughout the public corridors on the
residential levels of the building and within the ground floor entry lobbies.

The provision of 240V smoke alarms within each residential unit to BCA Specification E2.2a
(Clause 3) and the relevant provisions of AS 3786-1993.

The provision of an additional heat detector within each residential unit located immediately
adjacent the unit entry doors (i.e. within 1.5m), and connected back to the AS 1670.1 smoke
detection system serving the building. These heat detectors will provide occupants with an
earlier warning of fire within a residential unit when compared to the minimum DTS
provisions of the BCA.

The provision of an enhanced building occupant warning system throughout the building,
which includes a verbal directive to instruct occupants to evacuate. Such a system exceeds
the minimum DTS provisions of the BCA, and is considered to improve occupant premovement times in the event of an emergency.

The provision of intumescent combined fire and smoke seals to the entry doors into each
residential unit. The provision of smoke seals significantly reduces the available gap around
the perimeter of the doors, through which smoke can flow from the unit of fire origin into
the egress path. The required seals will have approvals to both AS 1530.7-2007 (maximum
ambient and medium smoke leakage rates for single door assemblies) and AS 1530.4-2005
(for use on fire rated door-sets). Therefore the seals are expected to be capable of mitigating
smoke spread into the public corridors during both the initial stages of a fire, and in the
event of a fire flashover fire where temperatures can exceed 6000C. Therefore the
temperature, visibility and toxicity within the public corridors in the event of fire within a
residential unit is expected to be significantly improved when compared to a design that
complies with the minimum DTS provisions of the BCA where fire and smoke seals are not
provided.

Consideration will be given to the characteristics and use of the public corridors, which are
purely used as circulation areas, comprise of fire rated bounding construction, and are
unlikely to be used for the storage of combustible materials. Further, the public corridors on
each level will comprise of permanent natural ventilation openings that will permit the
natural ventilation of smoke should the effects of fire from within a fire affected unit spread
to the public corridors. Therefore the temperature, visibility and toxicity within the public
corridors in the event of fire within a residential unit is expected to be significantly improved
when compared to a design that complies with the minimum DTS provisions of the BCA
where the public corridors are fully enclosed.
Proposed Method of Analysis
A Qualitative Analysis is proposed to be undertaken to compare the Alternative Solution against the
DTS Provisions of the BCA, as permitted under Clause A0.9(c) of the BCA.
Proposed Acceptance Criteria
The Alternative Solution is to be shown to comply with BCA Performance Requirements DP4 and
EP2.2 in terms of ensuring occupants are allowed to evacuate from the residential levels of the
building safely and under tenable conditions, at least equivalent to that of a design that complies with
the minimum DTS provisions of the BCA.
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Alternative Solution 4 - Travel via Fire-Isolated Exits
Preliminary Fire Safety Strategy
The preliminary fire safety strategy will be based on:

The provision of an automatic smoke detection and alarm system throughout the common
areas of the building to BCA Specification E2.2a (Clause 4) and to the relevant provisions of
AS 1670.1. Smoke detectors are to be installed throughout the public corridors on the
residential levels of the building, and within the ground floor entry lobby and ancillary use
areas.

The provision of an enhanced building occupant warning system throughout the building,
which includes a verbal directive to instruct occupants to evacuate. Such a system exceeds
the minimum DTS provisions of the BCA, and is considered to improve occupant premovement times in the event of an emergency.

The provision of drop down smoke curtains in front of the lift landing doors within the
basement levels, to mitigate the risk of smoke spread into the entry lobby (Block A) and the
covered area (Block B) in the event of fire. Further, the basement car parking levels will be
fully sprinkler protected utilising fast response sprinkler heads.

Fire separating the discharge point from the fire-isolated exit from the residential units on
ground floor.

The provision of alternative paths of travel from the discharge point from the fire-isolated
exits on ground floor.

The characteristics and use of the entry lobby (Block A) and the covered area (Block B) on
ground floor, which is purely used as circulation area, comprises of fire rated bounding
construction, and is unlikely to be used for the storage of combustible materials.
Proposed Methods of Analysis
A Qualitative Analysis is proposed to be undertaken to compare the Alternative Solution against the
DTS Provisions of the BCA, as permitted under Clause A0.9(c) of the BCA.
Proposed Acceptance Criteria
The Alternative Solution is to be shown to comply with BCA Performance Requirement DP5 in terms
of ensuring that occupants are allowed to evacuate from the building via the fire-isolated exits safely,
and protected from the effects of fire.
Alternative Solution 5 - Location Fire Hydrant Booster Assembly
Preliminary Fire Safety Strategy
The preliminary fire safety strategy will be based on:

The provision of a masonry wall directly behind the booster assembly to shield fire-fighters
from flames and radiant heat from within the building. The masonry wall is to extend 2m
above the finished ground level of the booster assembly, and is to extend at least 1m
horizontally past each side of the booster assembly.

Reference will also be made to the current Draft version of the new AS 2419.1. Clause
7.6.1(c) of this Draft Standard states that where a fire brigade booster assembly is located
remote from but more than 3.5m and less than 10m from the building facade, it shall be
separated from the building by a construction having a FRL not less than 90/90/90 for a
distance not less than 1m each side of the fire brigade booster assembly and from the
ground to not less than 2m in height.
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Whilst it is acknowledged that the new AS 2419.1 is still in Draft Format, and yet to finalized
and / or Gazetted in an official capacity, it does recognize that a masonry wall that will be
constructed behind the booster assembly will provide a suitable level of radiant heat
protection to afford safe access to the booster assembly in the event of fire within the
building.
Figure 7: Extract from the Draft AS 2419.1
Proposed Methods of Analysis
A Qualitative Analysis is proposed to be undertaken to assess the Alternative Solution against the
relevant Performance Requirements of the BCA, as permitted under Clause A0.9(b)(ii) of the BCA.
Proposed Acceptance Criteria
The Alternative Solution is to be shown to comply with BCA Performance Requirement EP1.3 in terms
of ensuring that the location of the fire hydrant booster assembly does not impede fire brigade
operations. That is, the attending fire brigades must be capable of safely accessing the booster
assembly in the event of fire within the building.
Alternative Solution 6 - Access to Sprinkler Valve Room
Preliminary Fire Safety Strategy
The preliminary fire safety strategy will be based on:

The provision of fire sprinklers throughout the basement levels, including the use of fast
response sprinklers, which is expected to mitigate the development and spread of fire.

Having the sprinkler control valve located within the fire hydrant pump room, which is
accessed directly from a stairway that will be fire-isolated from the basement levels.

Comparison to a fire hydrant pump room, which is permitted to be accessed from a fireisolated exit in lieu of directly from an open space.

The provision of Block Plans and signage to ensure the location of the fire hydrant pump
room / sprinkler valve room is readily identifiable to the attending fire brigades.
Proposed Methods of Analysis
A Qualitative Analysis is proposed to be undertaken to assess the Alternative Solution against the
relevant Performance Requirements of the BCA, as permitted under Clause A0.9(b)(ii) of the BCA.
Proposed Acceptance Criteria
The Alternative Solution is to be shown to comply with BCA Performance Requirement EP1.4 in terms
of ensuring that the attending fire brigades are afforded safe and quick access into the fire hydrant
pump room / sprinkler valve room.
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REQUIRED FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS
The following fire safety systems will be required to be installed throughout the subject development:

Fire hydrants

Fire hose reels

Fire sprinklers (basement levels only)

Portable fire extinguishers

Automatic smoke detection and alarm system

Building occupant warning system

Emergency lighting and exit signs
NOTE: The above list may change or vary during the design and development process, and / or as a
result of the future Fire Engineering Report.
CONCLUSION
In consideration of the above, it is concluded that Alternative Solutions can be developed to the DTS
provisions of the BCA to ensure the proposed development can achieve compliance with the relevant
Performance Requirements of the BCA.
Yours Faithfully
Innova Services Pty Ltd
Jason Powell
Director
C10 Accredited Fire Engineer (BPB0801)
MIEAust, CPEng
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