The Project
The facilities at the Research School of Physics and Engineering (RS Phys), ANU were a cluster of buildings across the Garran and Daley precincts. It was proposed to upgrade the physical infrastructure and consolidate the facility to the Garran Precinct. The upgrade included the construction of a high performance laboratory space that includes clean rooms and laser labs.
The project involved the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The development occurred over various stages.
Stage 1 of the project consisted of the construction of a new four storey building with office, laboratory, workshop, assembly and teaching uses. As part of the new works, the existing Oliphant building was refurbished and joined to the new four storey building.
The project won the Master Builders an Asset Construction (MBA) winner for the project displaying technical difficulty or innovation and project of the year 2022.
Our solution
Our performance solutions included permitted reduction of fire rating of laboratory stage 1 structure, permitting plastic pipes to be used throughout that did not achieve required fire hazard properties, permit parts of fire isolated stair shafts to include glazing, permit increased fire compartment size for laboratory areas, permitting fume cupboard risers to interconnect storeys, extended travel distances to exits, extended fire hydrant coverage, fire hose reel coverage permitted using extended hoses and Omission of sprinkler and smoke detection systems to specific areas.
We also developed an interim fire safety strategy for Oliphant building for ANU to occupy while the Research school of physics (RSPE) new building was constructed to manage fire safety during construction. This included extensive stakeholder consultation, fire hazard assessment and fire safety strategy that was provided to all project stakeholders for review and comment and updated during construction.
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