FDS Consult devises cost-saving fire solution for residential project
FDS Consult, which specialises in fire engineering, has provided a bespoke fire-safety solution for a luxury residential project in London to reduce costs. Capital Towers in Stratford is due for completion by mid-2016 and will comprise two towers with a total of 174 apartments. One tower will be 14 storeys high, and the other 32 storeys high. The project is being developed by Galliard Homes and is designed by architects Stockwool.
Appointed by design consultant Whitecode Design Associates, FDS was asked deliver an appropriate fire strategy to save space and minimise costs, while meeting all relevant British Standards and regulation documents.
By creating a fire-design strategy with 0.5 m2 mechanical smoke shaft, space was saved in the building while provided the required smoke clearance.
There is a residents’ gym, crèche and private lounge on the first floor, and FDS had to devise a cost-effective method of providing a safe escape route in the event of a fire.
These facilities were classified as ancillary accommodation to the residential area, requiring the extension of the mechanical smoke shaft from the levels above to provide the required levels of smoke ventilation.
By taking into account that these facilities are only to be used by residents who would be familiar with escape routes in the event of fire, FDS was able to justify the use of a residential sprinkler system for these facilities, avoiding the expense of a commercial sprinkler system.
While it is required under Approved Document B for buildings over 30 m high to include sprinklers throughout, FDS was able to provide a solution that included only the residential areas, without needing to extend this coverage to car-parking areas and the stand-alone retail unit.
