Build it and they will come. Build it better and they’ll want to lease it. That’s the theory behind a gleaming, new 4000m2 warehouse facility that’s perfectly positioned in Auckland’s ‘Golden Triangle’. While being 30 mins from both the CBD and the Airport can certainly only add to the appeal, for anybody who ends up working inside, it’s the well considered approach to fire safety that might appeal more.

Nearly all warehouses will contain a potentially lethal load of combustible material, and in any busy operation there will always be a considerable amount of waste, much of which is likely to be able to burn quite easily. This elevates the risk of injury (or worse) from fire, especially where the threat to workers from smoke inhalation is increased by the potential toxicity of the smoke. This makes the quick suppression of any fire paramount before the fire ‘takes hold’ to an extent that makes its control frustratingly complicated.

With Toiawaka road, following dissatisfaction with a previous supplier, Ventuer was engaged to provide shop drawings and installation details for a solution which could be relied upon to naturally ventilate the area. As part of the fire safety design, we were able to plan a series of louvred roof mount smoke ventilators at regular intervals, providing an evacuation route for smoke and toxic fumes. This would allow anyone inside to exit the building before being overcome by smoke or hot gases, which is known to cause 60% of fatalities and injuries in building fires, rather than the fire itself, which is accountable for the other 40%. Importantly, the smoke ventilators also allow for a closer proximity for firefighting personnel, so they can assess and respond more decisively in the event of a fire.

The product selected was the Ventuer MERCOR-MLR Roof Mounted Smoke Ventilators. A tried and tested product, they allow for low level smoke escape routes to be kept clear of smoke. They have a track record of success in industrial and warehouse buildings, where they can be also used to provide natural comfort ventilation. Fully certified to EN 12101-2 and available in a wide range of sizes and types of upstands, the Ventuer MERCOR-MLR were installed horizontally and accompanied by an aerodynamic wind shield. They provide excellent security and are highly resistant to weather, making them ideal for virtually anywhere in New Zealand.

For the new tenants of Toiawaka Road, their real benefit is hopefully never realised. This is one of those products you need to know works but never want to actually test out. We do that for you.

What we can also do is design a solution for your project, including shop drawings and a PS1. If we can help, please let us know.