School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment
ENGR7008 Fire Engineering Design and Assessment
GROUP PROJECT 2022
Assignment 2: Performance-Based Design Brief
and
Assignment 3: Fire Engineering Report
GROUP PROJECT 2022
Formulation of Fire Engineering Performance Solutions for a Commercial-Residential Mixed Use Development.
Please note that the building, performance solutions and other details are fictitious and developed for the purpose of the assessment and do not imply or guarantee that such a design and solution are appropriate for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).
1. Client Requirements & General Building Description
The Client, University Builders Pty Ltd, proposes to build a mixed-use development in Parramatta that is to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume One 2019 Amendment 1.
The intended design of the development is shown on the architectural drawings (in a separate document). The development has been determined by the Principal Certifying Authority (the certifier) to have an effective height of 24.7 m.
2. Project Objectives
The Client’s only objective is to construct the development for compliance with NCC 2019 Amendment 1.
3. Performance Solutions to be Addressed
Your group has been employed as a fire safety engineer by the Client and is required to formulate Performance Solutions for the proposed development and demonstrate that the Performance Solutions comply with the relevant Performance Requirements of the NCC.
You are required to evaluate three (3) Performance Solutions (deviations from BCA DTS Solutions) selected from the list below:
a) To allow an extended travel distance to an exit on the residential floors;
b) To rationalise the fire resistance levels of the building elements for the Class 5 part;
c) To allow the fire-isolated stair for the residential levels to discharge internally instead of directly to a road or open space;
d) To allow extended travel distance of more than 20 m on the basement car park levels to an exit;
e) Rationalisation of stair pressurisation system requirements for the fire-isolated stair that serves 3 levels of the basement carpark.
Note: After identifying all three DtS departures, for the purpose of this assignment, you should assume all other fire safety related provisions in the development are to adopt the DtS Provisions, despite there may be other departures shown on the architectural drawings.
4. Groups and Group Coordinator
Student groups are to be formed, and coordinators of each group are to be identified.
5. Addressing Questions on the Project
Questions may be asked by e-mail from the Group Coordinator, during the course of the project, on the understanding that answers to generic questions will be sent to all Groups. Answers to specific questions relating to the Performance Solution(s) of a particular Group will be forwarded to that Group only. E-mail correspondence will be provided to the Group Coordinator.
Correspondences should be sent to J.Vistnes@westernsydney.edu.au and copied to Dr.
Sameera Pathirana at I.Pathirana@westernsydney.edu.au.
6. What is Required from You
A Performance-Based Design Brief (PBDB) (Assignment 2) and a Fire Engineering Report (FER) (Assignment 3) need to be prepared by each group for the development project, generally following the process recommended in the Australian Fire Engineering Guidelines (2021). You can use the literature referenced in the Learning Guide and any other relevant literature.
7. Project Timetable
Refer to the Learning Guide for the project timetable.
8. Objectives
• To develop a high level of understanding of the process and principles used in development of performance-based fire safety strategy and fire engineering design.
• To develop an understanding and appreciation of the process that needs to be followed in order to properly complete a fire safety engineering assessment.
• To develop an understanding of the process for design for life safety in the event of fire.
• To familiarise students with both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the process.
• To develop an understanding of the different levels at which analysis can be undertaken.
• To develop skills in the preparation of fire safety engineering reports
9. The Final Report
This should be written in the format set out in the Australian Fire Engineering Guidelines (2021).
10. Deliverables
Assignment 2 - A Performance-Based Design Brief (PBDB)
The PBDB is expected to not contain irrelevant materials. Refer to the Learning Guide for the assignment submission due date. Feedback on the submitted PBDB will be provided in Workshop #2 and other formats.
Assignment 3 - A Fire Engineering Report (FER)
The FER is expected to not contain irrelevant materials. Refer to the Learning Guide for the assignment submission due date.
Note: The FEB/FER shall be in pdf format, with the file name in the form of “Assignment2_GroupX” and “Assignment3_GroupX” respectively (where X is your group’s designation).
11. Assessment Marking Scheme
Assignment 2 – Performance-Based Design Brief (PBDB) - 20% of final total unit mark
Assignment 3 - Fire Engineering Report (FER) - 25% of final total unit mark
The PBDB will be assessed using the following weighting:
• Process - 50%
• Methodology, data, & documentation - 50%
The FER will be assessed using the following weighting:
• Fire engineering analyses - 80%
• Documentation - 20%
Marks will be given to each group; generally the same mark will be applicable to each member of the group. Each group should ensure that all members contribute as equally as possible to the preparation of the PBDB and FER.
If students contribute differently, then the group will need to decide the level of contribution of each student by using the “Group Project Member Contribution Register” spreadsheet and the student’s mark will be adjusted by the lecturer accordingly.
Reminder - There will be a deduction in marks for late submissions in accordance with Western Sydney University policies / guidelines.