The recently constructed new engineering building at the University of Cape Town, in the Western Cape, is an “outstanding showcase of integrating innovative sustainable green building technology, with human life safety systems,” says local fire safety solutions provider FireSpec Systems.

“Designed by Cape Town-based architectural practice Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects, the building is envisaged to meet the educational needs of undergraduates and the research needs of postgraduate students for many decades,” explains FireSpec, adding that the building was deemed suitable for handover on April 19, by the City of Cape Town authorities.

FireSpec says that, while the emphasis of the construction of NEB was durability and practicality, “its modest finishes mask a truly high-tech building under the skin”.

The principal contractor for the R150-million NEB project was construction company Filcon Projects, while mechanical and electrical engineering firm Solution Station were the consulting engineers on the project, and consulting engineering firm Keith Fletcher & Associates was the rational design consultant.

The engineering brief covered, among other things, the design and installation of electronic life safety and security systems for the building and in this regard Solution Station was supported by FireSpec Systems.

Project Challenges

Keith Fletcher & Associates rational design consultant Keith Fletcher says the design challenges, presented from a life safety perspective, were numerous and included the atrium, which is an exposed area that presents a hazard in the case of fire and smoke.

Additionally, he points out that the interconnecting doorways between the existing department of chemical engineering building and the NEB, which it adjoins, forms part of the evacuation plan for the NEB.

“Locks that are operated by access card on fire-rated doors interleading between the two buildings had to be programmed to unlock when it is first knocked upon by people needing to escape. However, these doors have to remain in the closed position to maintain fire integrity. Special measures had to be taken to allow universal access through these passageways to the fire lift in the existing building on the other side,” states Fletcher.

“The occupants of NEB fall into two categories of permanent occupants, namely university staff, lecturers and researchers, followed by the students and finally, visitors. The design of the building allows for two separate working areas for the permanent users, with certain mixed-use facilities. There is also an extensive large-scale workshop area on the lower ground level,” he adds.

He stresses, that this setup also presented building safety challenges; however, FireSpec provided “an elegant solution to building emergency ventilation, which entailed that upon activation of the system, the windows automatically open to allow air to be pumped through the building”.

Entry to the main building is at ground level, which also hosts the electronic 'brain' of the integrated life safety system – near the front entrance. This unit, a Zitcon ZP3 addressable panel, interfaces with various subsystems located in zones of importance from a safety point of view, throughout the building.

Subsystems Integration

FireSpec states that the subsystems controlled by the main panel include the fire detection system, which is Sans 10139:2012 compliant for fire detection, and alarm systems for buildings, and these are mapped to various triggers and controls that are activated centrally, or within a subsystem.

The triggers include door locks and window controls, while in the basement laboratory workshop, special windows are open to allow for air ventilation.

Other detection systems include special gas monitoring in the chemical storage rooms and extraction fans with jet-propelled engines kick-in, to increase positive fresh air pressure in key safety areas of the building.

“The extraction fans are automatically phased in, starting within the first 30 seconds of fire and programmed to give staggered starts, 15 seconds apart from each of the ventilation units, therefore, avoiding power surges. The fans are capable of producing 300 kPa to 400 kPa of pressure, allowing for rapid extraction up and out of the atrium,” states FireSpec.

The company also points out that emergency announcements can be automatically made, or undertaken by operators with loudspeakers, designed to best convey announcements according to location.

Fire-extinguishing subsystems also include sprinkler units.

During an incident, as signalled by incoming systems at the main panel, the system is activated and makes an announcement. Upon a second knocking on the fire doors, the windows open and emergency air fans are triggered sequentially.

Lifts return to ground and air-conditioning is switched off. Strobe lighting warns all occupants of the evacuation, which is particularly important for persons with impaired hearing. Fresh air is pumped into evacuation passageways and stairs, and the lift shafts are pressurised to keep smoke out of the shaft.

Evacuation of the building is a staged process, with the automatic release of all fire protection doors - when magnetic locks are triggered the doors close slowly. External fire escape doors are automatically unlocked.

Interleading doors are fire-rated to local authority specification to impede the progress of fire through the building and protect the occupants. The main entrance’s glass sliding doors open automatically.

In line with other recent high-tech building projects, where FireSpec Systems participated, special attention has been given to the needs of the disabled. In the case of the NEB, particular attention was given to the fitting of universal access doors along all the planned escape routes.

At any time, an occupant of the building may contact the control room by using one of many conveniently located intercom access points. In the case of the physically challenged, these intercoms are located at wheelchair height inside specially designed recesses in the main fire escapes. Safe in the knowledge that the building's emergency life safety systems will support the individual in the refuge area for upwards of two hours, rescue and extraction of the disabled may be effected by designated responsible persons, including members of the fire brigade.

“FireSpec Systems' engineers are were well placed to oversee the installation of such systems, as part of a company with over 40 years of expertise in the field, and as a premium partner and value added reseller of industry leading products and solutions,” FireSpec System concludes.