SESSIONS

Maintaining Smoke Control Systems: Mechanical Fire Safety in Buildings

Ensuring mechanical fire safety in buildings are maintained correctly requires a thorough understanding of AS 1851-2012 and its application to essential fire protection systems. This session will explore key maintenance, testing, and compliance requirements for mechanical fire safety measures, including smoke control systems and essential services.

Join Ivan Steed, a specialist in smoke control system commissioning, testing, and compliance, as he discusses regulatory challenges, best practices, and practical insights to help industry professionals navigate their compliance requirements effectively. This session is ideal for fire safety practitioners, building managers, and compliance professionals looking to enhance their understanding and ensure building fire safety systems meet regulatory standards.

PRESENTER(S)
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Vance Rowe

Queensland Manger, Holyoa

Prior to working in the HVAC industry Vance worked as a plant engineer at an aluminium foundry working with furnaces he then commenced his career in the HVAC business at Holyoake industries in New Zealand. After this moved on to a career that covered service, contracting, design in the mechanical and mechanical electrical field across a wide range of industries including the supermarket business, operating 180 sites, pharmaceutical discovery and development, film and recording industry, rail and infrastructure, and commercial sectors. After gaining this experience culminating with 13 years European and international experience, he returned to manage the Holyoake facility in Queensland.

Vance has public sector experience chairing the Harlow chamber of Commerce and representing the Essex, Kent and West Sussex regions on the public private partnership government agency responsible for infrastructure in the UK.

Vance works closely with organisations such as the AMCA, FPAA and the NFPA to offer assistance and support specifically with fire and fire/smoke dampers as an area of speciality for the company. Vance represents the FPA on the ME-062 standards committee. This committee is responsible for fire and smoke control standards AS1668.1, AS1682 parts 1 & 2, Ductwork for Air Handling Systems,  Health aspects of Air and Water handling, Ventilation and represents Australia on the ISO TC 21/SC 11 smoke and heat control systems & components, ISO TC 205 Building environmental design.

Vance works closely with the AMCA , and is one of the team developing the fire damper validation and installation courses and delivers this training. Vance chairs TAC-M and is the Vice Chair for TAC 18/19 for the FPAA.

Vance now heads up the Life Safety products team at Price Holyoake in Australia assisting designers, builders and contractors with compliance for fire and smoke and is actively involved in new product testing, training, and developing new products.

He is an ex president of the Hope Island Rotary Club and one of the initiators of drought relief with the Water for the West Project.

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Ivan Steed

Team Leader – Essential Services, Grosvenor Engineering Group

Ivan Steed is a specialist in smoke control system commissioning, testing, and compliance, with extensive experience in mechanical fire safety systems. As a Senior Fire Safety Assessor at Grosvenor Engineering, he provides technical support across NSW and beyond, ensuring compliance with Legacy regulations, the Building Code of Australia, and AS 1668.1 standards versions. Ivan also plays a key role in industry committees, contributing to the development of fire safety standards and regulations.

He was a member of Standards Australia’s ME-062-01 sub-committee for the AS/NZS 1668.1-2015 revision. He is a member of the FPAA NSW TAC-M committee, and chairs the revised ARG. Passionate about industry education, Ivan advocates for effective training, mentoring, and collaboration to drive improved fire safety outcomes.

Ivan received the 2024 FPAA A.V. Viscogliosi Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the fire protection industry.

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Pat Mcmanus

Managing Director , Stokes Safety

After a distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years in the HVAC industry, Patrick McManus joined Stokes Safety as Managing Director in 2023.  His wealth of experience, notably attained at Airmaster provides understanding within the HVAC and Compliance sectors.

Prior to this role, Pat was a key leader at Airmaster, where he played a pivotal role in developing their CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System), improving operational efficiency and compliance tracking.  His expertise spans HVAC systems, Essential Safety Measures, and regulatory compliance, making him a trusted leader in the industry.

The focus on Essential Safety Measures has remained at the forefront of his management roles, both within business development when establishing interstate operations and later as General Manager – Sales, where he continued to engage in System Interface Testing and ensuring processes maintained compliance to the relevant Standards.

Passionate about innovation and safety, Pat continues to drive excellence in building compliance solutions, ensuring safer and more efficient environments for businesses and facilities.

Relevant Expertise

  • Essential Safety Measures
  • Fire Protection
  • Building Health & Safety
  • Building Maintenance
  • Asset Management