With BCA 2022 requirements for non-Class 1 buildings, fire engineers are now required to be involved in projects on bushfire prone land. This requires a new mindset, as bushfire behave differently to building fires, as do occupant behaviours.
BCA Spec 43 outlines a number of requirements, with some not having a clear prescriptive basis. This presentation will talk about methods to meet these requirements and how bushfire consultants and fire engineers need to work together.
With over 25 years experience in Fire Engineering, Sarnia has been exposed to projects of varying scale and significance across the Australian market. As Principal at Holmes Australia, Sarnia advises clients on strategies in performance-based fire engineering, offering clients and project stakeholders alike flexibility in solutions while prioritising safety and legislative requirements. A strong understanding of the National Construction Code and Australian Standards allows her to provide solutions to clients to ensure Deemed-to-Satisfy variations are assessed to provide a suitable level of fire safety, whilst respecting project budget and efficiency with consideration to the relevant construction methods. Within the wider Holmes Group, Sarnia acts as an industry specialist for advice on code changes and industry trends.
Her professional exposure has become known to leading specialists within the industry and through recommendation, Sarnia has been actively involved with the Department of Planning and Environment regarding legislative changes within NSW. Engineers Australia has benefited from her as an interviewer for Chartered Professional Interviews and through her professional and industry achievements, also recognised Sarnia’s industry leadership, naming her a Fellow in 2018. Sarnia has also been liaising with the ABCB in relation to future projects for carparks, external walls, A8, and the Australian Fire Engineering Guidelines.
Sarnia is accredited as a Chartered Member of Engineers Australia (CPEng) and a Registered Engineer on the National Professional Engineers Register (NPER) in Fire Safety. Her involvement over the years with the Society of Fire Safety (SFS) led her to be National Chair of the SFS for 2023. Through Sarnia’s extensive involvement since 2005, her knowledge has been valued through discussions for new ideas and research, while growing the practice and exposure of Fire Engineering for current and future engineers.
