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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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Integrated Building Services for Mixed-Use Success: Goldfish & Bay at Veriu

Goldfish & Bay coordinated hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and fire services for 154 apartments and rooftop hospitality

Goldfish and Bay

Across multi-level builds, engineering design is where coordination, compliance, and construction speed are forced to work together. At Veriu Macquarie Park, Goldfish & Bay was engaged to deliver hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and fire services for a project that merges serviced apartments, basement parking, rooftop hospitality, and commercial-grade amenity.

The brief spanned 154 apartments over 17 levels, in addition to three basement levels, a rooftop pool and restaurant, conference facilities, café, commercial kitchen, laundry, and back-of-house spaces. Each system had to be integrated, spatially coordinated, and ready to perform from day one.

Hydraulic design included hot and cold water services, sanitary drainage, rainwater reuse, gas and sub-soil drainage, and full coordination with bathroom pod specifications. Mechanical systems covered carpark ventilation, apartment air conditioning, corridor pressurisation, kitchen exhaust, stairwell relief, and BMS integration, all designed with compliance and acoustic requirements in mind.

Electrical and dry fire design included power distribution, dry fire detection, MATV, NBN coordination, access control, and surge protection. Electrical and comms layouts were delivered apartment by apartment, right down to GPO, switch, and intercom locations. Fire services included sprinkler and hydrant systems, pump room layouts, and integration across typical floors and shared zones.

Goldfish & Bay remained involved through construction, responding to RFIs, reviewing shop drawings, conducting site inspections, and supporting final commissioning. Documentation was delivered to AFC, with technical oversight maintained through to project completion.

This project is part of Goldfish & Bay’s broader collaboration with Holdmark, which includes multiple developments across Sydney. Among these is Burwood Place, a transformative $600 million precinct featuring over 1,000 apartments, commercial and retail spaces, and a new public library.

This is where engineering proves its value—on site, under pressure, and in sync with every moving part.

For more information contact Goldfish and Bay, phone 1300 979 667, email info@goldfishbay.com.au, website www.goldfishandbay.com.au

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