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Adaptive Fire Safety Solutionsfor Complex Heritage Sites

Focus Fire Protection

At the revitalised WEFO Wool Store precinct, Focus Fire Protection delivered a performance-led fire safety solution that balanced modern compliance with heritage preservation, engineering a full-system overhaul within one of Melbourne’s most complex adaptive reuse environments.

“Our scope included stripping out and replacing the damaged concrete fire tanks, installing fully compliant modern replacements, refurbishing and recommissioning the site’s fire pumps, replacing every sprinkler head across the facility, and delivering a new, networked fire detection and evacuation system,” explains Mike Donohue, Project Lead at Focus Fire Protection.

Focus Fire Protection onsite at WEFO Wool Store.
Focus Fire Protection onsite at WEFO Wool Store.
WEFO Wool Store fire tanks installed by Focus Fire Protection.

The biggest challenge came in protecting the main warehouse, which required a fire safety overhaul within the high-ceilinged, heritage-sensitive, multi-use environment, with void ceilings approaching 20m high. Traditional point or beam detection was either non-compliant or impractical due to ongoing maintenance requirements.

Instead, Focus Fire Protection implemented a KIDDE MODULASER aspirating system, using long sample pipe runs with modular detection heads feeding into a central FIP. “It gave us reliable coverage in a harsh, dusty environment while respecting the heritage aesthetic,” Mike explained. “It’s a great example of performance-based engineering being done right.”

Focus Fire Protection also played a critical role in identifying flaws in early consultant drawings, saving the client more than $500,000 through targeted value management, refined layouts and smarter material strategies. Their collaboration with Fusion Fire also ensured full compliance with AS1670 and AS7240 battery recharge standards, an area often overlooked.

“WEFO is a project we’re incredibly proud of, but our work in the BESS sector is equally exciting,” says Mike. “We’re doing some great things in battery energy storage fire protection right now, and the level of risk and innovation required in that space makes it a natural fit for our expertise.”

By combining heritage sensitivity with advanced detection technologies, Focus Fire Protection delivered a performance-based fire safety solution tailored to a challenging adaptive reuse environment—demonstrating the practical application of intelligent design in achieving lasting safety outcomes.

Focus Fire Protection Logo

For more information contact Focus Fire Protection, phone 1300 565 002, email admin@focusfireprotection.biz, website
www.focusfireprotection.biz

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Fire Protection Systems for Multi-Tower Residential Development in Gosford

Goldfish & Bay delivered compliant fire protection design for Rumbalara’s multi-building residential development, addressing project complexity through coordinated engineering solutions.

Goldfish and Bay

Goldfish and Bay, a leading building services design and consulting firm, delivered specialised fire protection solutions for the Rumbalara Residences project in Gosford.

With a strong focus on quality, compliance, and technical performance, the team designed a system that integrated effectively into the development’s large-scale infrastructure.

Rumbalara comprises four interconnected residential towers, each up to 11 storeys, supported by a 11,000m² basement structure. The scale and complexity of the development required a carefully coordinated fire services strategy to ensure safety, resilience, and long-term reliability.

Goldfish and Bay’s Fire Engineering team designed and implemented a combined hydrant and sprinkler system, providing both fire suppression and firefighting water supply through a single integrated network.

The system was developed to meet AS 2118.6-2012 and incorporates key redundancies, including dual diesel-driven fire pumps. Each pump is capable of meeting pressure and flow requirements independently, with automatic switchover to maintain system continuity in the event of failure.

Water supply reliability was further supported through a primary on-site storage tank and a secondary mains connection.

A looped pipework configuration ensures consistent water availability, while sectional isolation valves enable targeted maintenance without compromising building-wide protection.

Throughout the design process, the team prioritised hydraulic performance, pressure zoning, and full compliance with relevant standards. Given the scale and complexity of the Rumbalara development, a compliant and resilient fire protection system was essential.

The integrated design addressed both fire suppression and operational continuity and was developed in close coordination with Deicorp and other key project stakeholders to ensure alignment with performance requirements and regulatory standards.

The integration of these features reflects Goldfish and Bay’s broader capability in delivering reliable, high-performing fire services for large-scale residential projects.

Goldfish and Bay holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications and maintains a 4-star iCIRT rating, underscoring its commitment to quality, safety, and compliance. The firm is also registered with Engineers Australia, FPA Australia, AIRAH, and the Hydraulic Consultants Association of Australasia (HCAA).

Goldfish and Bay’s broader project portfolio with Deicorp includes Tallawong Village, Melrose Park, The Rothschild, Marquet & Mary, Hyde Metropolitan, 130 Joyton Avenue, Highline Westmead, and Kings Bay Precinct, reinforcing the firm’s position in delivering dependable fire and building services across complex, large-scale developments.

For more information contact Goldfish and Bay, 1/432 Parramatta Road, Petersham NSW 2049, phone 1300 979 667,
email info@goldfishbay.com.au, website www.goldfishandbay.com.au

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