This paper presents a case study on the challenges and solutions encountered during the upgrade of the Fire Resistance Period of concrete floors to comply with AS3600 – triggered by a change of use or for Buildings with compartments requiring FRP ‘s > 120/120/120 . A comparison is made between a typical building with concrete elements with the AS3600 required concrete cover of reinforcement, and elements upgraded with high performance insulating materials.
- Introduction: Overview of structural fire protection and the significance of ensuring fire safety in buildings – brief explanation / discussion on AS3600 standards for fire resistance in concrete elements.
- Background: Historical context of the building and the reasons behind the change of use , Implications of heritage listing on construction
- Challenges Faced: Examination of the challenges encountered in upgrading the fire resistance period , traditional methods of attaining the minimum Fire Resistance Periods (FRP’s) and installation difficulty, cost, and potential reduction in floor-to-floor height whilst balancing heritage preservation constraints.
- Fire Engineering Approach: Utilization of advanced modelling and analysis techniques to optimize fire resistance without compromising architectural features.
- Solutions Implemented: Detailed description of the solutions applied to enhance fire resistance, Exploration of innovative methods, materials, and technologies utilized. Comparative analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of the chosen solutions.
- Project Outcomes: Evaluation of the overall success of the project in achieving enhanced fire resistance , aesthetics, and functionality, and reduction in carbon required insights gained from the experience.
- Potential Applications for Other Projects: Application to other structural fire protection scenarios.
Keywords: Structural fire protection, Fire resistance, Concrete elements, Change of use, AS3600 standards, Fire engineering, Multistorey building, Case study.
