Fire Safety Engineering
Fire safety engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to protect people and their environments from the destructive effects of fire and smoke. The discipline of fire protection engineering includes, but is not exclusive to:
- active fire protection - fire suppression systems, and fire alarms
- passive fire protection - fire and smoke barriers, space separation
- smoke control and management
- building design, layout and space planning
- fire prevention programs
- fire dynamics and fire modelling
- human behaviour during fire events
- risk analysis, including economic factors.
Fire Safety Engineers typically identify risks and design safeguards that aid in preventing, controlling, and mitigating the effects of fires with respect to life safety, property and the environment. Fire Safety Engineers also assist in preparing Alternative Solutions with respect to variations from the BCA DTS Provisions to ensure life safety is protected to the degree necessary.
Our staff provide third party reviews for Fire Engineering Solutions submitted in support of Alternative Solutions to the BCA. For example, we were engaged to peer review the $400m extensions to a major shopping centre.
The fire engineering tools used by BFSC include FDS, FAST and FIREWIND and various egress models. Our staff follow the fire engineering process detailed in the International Fire Engineering Guidelines. Inherent in this process is a comprehensive consultation with the NSW Fire Brigade and the design team to ensure the appropriateness of the solution.