Street smart

Computer modelling was not just the prerogative of the architectural team working on the Ironbank project. It was also used by Chester Consultants, the company responsible for the fire protection design.

Director Gary Chester says the company needed to ensure the building complied with the requirements of the Building Code. As well as ensuring people could leave the building quickly and easily, the design had to protect neighbouring properties and allow for easy access by the Fire Service.

"The main point of difference for this project was the car pit in the basement," Chester says. "We used computer modelling to work out the impact of car fires in a number of different locations within the space. This allowed us to see the effect of various smoke layers and work out the time it would take for people to exit the building."

Chester says heat detectors in the unmanned pit will set off alarms and automatically alert the Fire Service should a fire start. In other parts of the building, fire hydrants, heat and smoke detectors and push-button alarms are incorporated. Every tower has two exits, and the gates will automatically open if the alarm goes off after hours.

An established multi-discipline consultancy, Chester Consultants has worked on many prominent and innovative buildings in the greater Auckland region. The company's specialist fire engineering services include advice and design for commercial, industrial and residential buildings, new and existing.

For more information, contact Chester Consultants, PO Box 34405, Auckland 0746, phone (09) 481 0024, fax (09) 480 1148. Email: gary@chester.co.nz. Website: www.chester.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas