Fire Safety and Compliance Report: Analysis of BCA 2019 Standards

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of fire safety and compliance, focusing on the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 2019 and its implications for a multi-storey shopping center located on Green Street, Western Australia. The report examines seven key performance solutions, addressing issues such as excessive compartment size, inadequate exit widths, excessive distances between exits, and the operation of roller shutters. It highlights non-compliance with fire safety standards and international guidelines, offering insights into areas needing improvement. The responsibilities of fire engineers and the provisions of BCA 2019 are discussed, along with a detailed review of each performance solution. The report also outlines the fire engineering brief, including fire initiation, spread, smoke development, detection, occupant control, and fire intervention strategies. The findings emphasize the importance of adhering to fire safety regulations to ensure the safety of occupants and the protection of property.

Fire Safety and
Compliance

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................4
Responsibilities of fire engineers................................................................................................4
DTA provisions of BCA 2019....................................................................................................5
Performance Solutions of the Seven issues.................................................................................5
Fire Engineering Brief.................................................................................................................7
Certifying Authority....................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BCA 2019 i.e. Building Code of Australia is a new 2019 amendment edition of an old
BCA which took effect in Australia. This code introduced few of the changes related to the
Australian standards. There are 7 Performance solutions which are provided under section 13 to
18 of the report of Fire Engineering. Performance Solution-1 deals with the excessive
compartment size where the buildings must have access road of 5 m wide around the east and
north side of the building. Performance Solution-2 deals with the Excessive distance between the
performance exits which should not be more than 80m. Performance Solution-3 deals with the
Inadequate Aggregate exit width which was required to be 34m according to the persons to be
accommodated but the proposed width was less. Performance Solution-4 deals with the
operations of latch to roller shutters where it is expected that the customers can access to it
without any lock or key. Also in this there are no isolated fire exit proposed which was required.
Performance Solution-5 deals with the fire shielding to external fire hydrants in which it is
required that the external hydrants location must be so that professionals of the fire brigade are
protected from the radiations of the fire. Performance Solution-6 deals with the smoke exhaust
with reduced exhaust rates in which the system for smoke exhaust was required in the building
where the rate of it shall be greater than that which was proposed in the report. Performance
Solution-7 deals with the Excessive travels to some exit in which the maximum distance must
not be more than 40m.

MAIN BODY
This report covers the information about the codes of fire safety and compliance which
should be covered in the building premises. In this report, safety code in the building which
should be followed are analysed in this report and there are different fire safety codes which are
not followed by the building is analysed in this report. This report is based on the fire safety code
in the multi-storey shopping centre at Green Street in Western Australia (Yemelyanenko,
Ivanusa and Klym, 2017). This report is based on the fire safety standards which is not followed
by the owners of building. This report help in understanding the non-compliance performed in
the building and what are the different issues in the building premises regarding fire safety
standards is mentioned in this report. This report reviews the safety standards which is not
followed in the building premises and what are the different fire safety standards which should
be followed in the building premises. This report reviews the deficit in the building premises
regarding fire safety standards and what changes should be made inside the building premises to
fill the gap.
There are several issues which are mentioned in the fire engineering report and in this
report all the issues are addressed according to the Building code of Australia and International
Fire Safety Engineering guidelines. There are several issues which are mentioned in the
performance development report such as excessive compartment size, Inadequate aggregate exit
width for building, Excessive distance between performance exits, Operation of latch to roller
shutters and to most tenancies, travel to some exit is satisfactory etc. These are some issues
which are mentioned in the performance development report which should be reviewed and there
are some assumptions on the basis of which report should be analysed.
Responsibilities of fire engineers
There are some responsibilities of fire engineer related with the construction of the
system which are mentioned below:
 Develop the intent of the design and motive of the system in building
 Identifying points which plays vital role in the fire safety system (Wojciechowska, 2018).
 Analysing changes which are needed in the system
 Maintain safety levels during refitting and refurbishment activities
 Analyse fire safety systems which are important for the building

DTA provisions of BCA 2019
Few of the important provisions which needs to be complied with reference to the
performance solutions are as follows:
 Section C- Fire Resistance
This sections relates to the safeguarding the people from illness, injuries during the fire at
the building or while evacuating the building in case of fire (Brown and et. al, 2017). This
sections see to it that the fire exists are made in the building for emergency purpose. It also make
provisions which relates to avoidance of the fire spread between the buildings and protection of
the properties of other from any kind of damage due to the building which caught fire.
 Section D: Part D1- Provision of escape
This section particularly deals with the provisions which related to the escape or exists to
be provided in the building for safety purpose in case there is any fire emergency at the building
(Omelchenko and et. Al, 2017) .
 Section D: Part D2- Construction of exits
This section deals with the stairs construction and the installation in stairways in the form
of landings for the safety of the people at the building. The building is expected to make barriers
for the safety of the people from falling while accessing roofs, etc.
 Section E: Services and equipments
This section mainly deals with saving of the people from any injury which can be caused
while evacuating the building at the time of fire (Watts and Hall, 2016). It also contains
provisions which provide facilities to the professionals of fire brigade to carry out their
operations effectively.
Performance Solutions of the Seven issues
Performance Solution 1: Excessive compartment Size
In the performance solution report the first issue which is addressed is that according to
DTS provision the acceptance criteria for the large isolated building is that the access around the
Northern and Eastern side buildings to be 6 m wide but are only 5 m wide. According to deemed
to satisfy provisions there are several parts in terms of provisions which includes the storeys of
the building and the area of the buildings. Performance solutions which are mentioned in the

report shows the issues in the building related to fire safety and in this report the gap between the
International Fire safety guidelines and the building compliance to fire safety standard is
measured.
Performance Solution 2: Excessive Distance Between Performance Exist
Second part of performance solution addresses the issue about the distance between the
performance exits which is exceeds than the 80 m which is allowed and the distance between
some performance exits in some areas is 90 m. In the second part of performance solution the
exits width which is proposed is 20 m and there should be no point on the floor should be more
than 30 m. It is stated that the distance between two performance exits which is 90 m was
irrelevant.
Performance Solution 3: Inadequate Aggregate Exit Width
Third part of performance solution addresses the issue about the aggregate exit width for
building is less than required for the persons which are accommodated. The required exit width
is 34 m and the proposed exit width is 25 m. This part of performance solution is related with the
issue of inadequate aggregate exit width.
Performance Solution 4: Operation of Latch to Roll Shutters
Fourth part of performance solution addresses about the issue operation of latch to roller
shutters in which building is served by 21 exits and there is no fire exits are proposed for the
building. Roller shutters should be fitted in the building in front of all tenancies where tenancies
discharge directly onto the food court of the building. The latches to the roller shutters which is
fitted to the front tenancies of all with a floor are more than 200 metre square which requires that
roller shutters in the path of travel to a required exit must be open without a key from the side
that faces a person seeking by a single hand downward action or pushing action on single device.
Performance Solution 5: Fire Shielding to External Fire Hydrants
Fifth part of performance solution related with the fire shielding to external fire hydrants.
Shielding to fire external hydrant doesn't comply as it requires that every fire hydrant must be
placed that fire brigade which connects a hose to the hydrant are protected from the fire in the
building by creating a radiation buffer zone in the building. This buffer can be provided in the
building by locating hydrating at least 10 m from the building or by locating hydrant less than 10
m behind the fire resisting barrier. In this part the location of the hydrant was not planted

according to the need and according to the standard as it also involves about the fire sprinklers
which should be placed accurately so its spray can reach at all points on the floor.
Performance Solution 6: Smoke Exhaust with Reduced Exhaust Rates
Sixth part of the performance solution addresses the issue of the smoke exhaust with
reduced exhaust rates in which it was proposed that no smoke exhaust is needed in the building
but after making some changes in the proposal during the briefing of Initial fire briefing process
that smoke exhaust system is needed for the all areas of floor with area more than 500 metre
square. Smoke exhaust help in containing smoke of the fire and help in controlling the level of
smoke in the building during the case of fire.
Performance Solution 7: Excessive Travel to some exits
Seventh part of the Performance solution addresses the issue of Excessive travel to some
exits in which not more that 40m point present on the floor be away from an exit and also the
point from where the travel is to be made in 2 different directions of the exit. In this part there
are total 21 exits and there are no proposed exists are made for the fire isolation. Travel exits in
some places are more than 40 m and few are in excess of 60 m which is required to be less than
40m. Roller shutter is also fitted in the front where tenancies will be discharged directly from the
building to mall area and food court.
Fire Engineering Brief
This brief is a documented process which helps in defining the scope. Such scope relates
to the work to be done for the analysis of fire engineering and also the basis of analysis which
was agreed by the stakeholders of a particular project. Initiation of fire, its development and control: For this purpose a system for sprinklers is
proposed (Sowah and et. Al, 2016). The area of the mall will be more sterile with
reference to the materials combusted as there exist no kiosk in the area of malls. Spread of fire, its impact and its control: There are tiled floor all over which will help to
minimise the development and spread of fire. This will also include height of an internal
ceiling which was 6m, area of retail and also the sprinkler system along with smoke
exhaust system. Development of smoke, its development and control: this will be taken care of with the
help of fire exhaust system and the sprinkler system.

 Detection of fire, its warning and suppression: the building will have the detectors
which will detect smoke and thermal. This will also be protected by the sprinkler system
installed (Smith and et. Al, 2018). The building will also have sound and intercom system
in case of emergency. Control of occupant: The occupants in the building may either choose to stay in the
premises till Fire & Rescue NSW arrives or may go to an open space as directed by the
wardens of the fire. The communication to the team by occupants can be made via sound
system or intercom system.
 Intervention of Fire services: The Fire & Rescue NSW , by the building will be provided
by all the external fire hydrants in the building, booster connections, access to the fire
control room and also one of the systems present in the building which will help in
connecting of a fire alarm to one of the nearby fire station.
Certifying Authority
The authorities which are responsible for the approving and inspection of any work of the
building are commonly known as the certifying authorities (Chapman and Boulden, 2017). The
authority is solely responsible for the inspection of the construction which is to take place. The
authorities from starting of the construction till its completion looks into the matter and see to it
that all the provisions required are complied with. There are 6 steps which are followed by the
authorities in charge before they grant the construction certificate for the building construction.
They are as follows: Lodgement: Applicant have to lodge an application for the issue of construction
certificate at the same time or after, when an application for the development was made.
This application includes detailed plan of the building, engineering plans. Or any other
document required to be presented (Ferreira and et. Al, 2016). After the application is
made by the applicant they are to make the payment of the appropriate fee on the
application so submitted by them. Assessment: This is the second stage in which an accredited surveyor of a council
building is appointed to make assessments. In this he will check the application of the
construction certificate made. In the assessment, the council appointed check the
compliance of the construction to be done with the Building code of the Australia. It also
see to it that the project is approved under the consent of development and also that the

provisions of the co0nsent development are complied with by the applicant. In case there
is anything missing in the documentation or any of the law is not complied with, the
applicant will be informed of the same. Prior to issue construction certificate: This is the stage in which the council will ask the
applicants to submit the documents needed that relates to the construction of the building
(Flannery, 2018). The council also demands to know that the applicant is complying with
all the rules and regulations necessary to be taken into consideration while constructing
the building. The details of the builder is expected to be submitted along with the
insurance warranty of the home owners. The permit of the owner builder is to be
submitted to the authorities so that they can check with the builder about the same and
this also helps them in inspection. Determination of Issue: Once the authorities are satisfied that all the necessary
requirements are made by the applicant and the provisions are all complied with, the
council may issue the certificate for construction. Commencement of Work: Before the applicants start with the construction of the
building they must see to it that all the requirements are being fulfilled. The criteria or the
appointments which is to be made by the applicants with respect to the constructions are
completed (Shevtsov, Kargashilov and Shutkin, 2018). It is to be made sure by the
authorities and the applicant that they have the development certificate and all the
provisions under it are complied with. It is to be made sure that the principle certifying
authority is appointed. Under this it is to be made sure that the provisions related to the
waste of constructions are included and measure are taken with respect to the
environment such as excavation, demolition or anything related to the construction of
buildings. These can also include control of soil and its erosion, management of wastes,
etc.
 Completion of Work: After the work is complete, it is the responsibility of the authorised
authority to make a final inspection of the building so constructed. It also is the duty of
the applicants that they call the authorities for final inspection of the building. After every
thing is checked, the authorities issue an occupation certificate to the constructor of the
building (Ross, 2016). But if any flaw or error is found by the authorities then the
applicant will be held liable. This final inspection will grant the applicant with an

occupational certificate which will prove that the construction was done under the
inspection of the authorised authorities and such construction is valid and has complied
with all the necessary and mandatory requirements and provisions (Pilbeam and et. Al,
2016).
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is concluded that for constructing any building it is important
that the application is made to the certifying authority in this regard so that the construction is
done while complying with all the provisions of the BCA 2019. it should be kept in mind that
construction is not Non- complying with any of the important and mandatory provisions and the
Australian standards are taken into consideration. This report has briefly explained the
performance solution in seven different cases to which the construction of building is to be done.
This includes maintaining and giving the spaces near to the area of the building. It is also
concluded form the report that it is very important that the precautions are to be maintained in
the build9ing in case there is any fire emergency. The building contains many occupants and the
safety of the people is the paramount factor while constructing any building by a constructor.
The code has provided with all the provisions with which the building must comply with while
constructing any building and such provisions are to be approved by the certifying authorities
before and after the completion of the work of construction.

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