RMIT New Academic Street

Walker Fire Protection has been delivering an extensive range fire protection systems and services for the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s New Academic Street (NAS) in Melbourne. The transformation has called for substantial works on the facility’s existing fire protection systems and the installation of new fire safety-related equipment. The finished systems will support both refurbished and new areas.

The new Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s New Academic Street (NAS) project has been designed to reinvigorate and reinvent the heart of the RMIT City campus, creating laneways, gardens, new student spaces and better library facilities. The project comprises a complex building refurbishment of around 23,000 square metres and a new build of 6,500 square metres, within the confines of 4 key buildings.

Working with construction managers Lendlease, Walker Fire Protection has been responsible for the design coordination, supply, installation, commissioning and certification of the fire services on this project. This includes wet and dry fire suppression systems; smoke and fire detection; an Emergency Warning & Intercommunication System (EWIS), as well as sprinkler and hydrant systems, all delivered utilising Walker’s strong in-house capabilities and personnel.

A carefully planned construction program has been devised for the delivery of significant upgrades to student facilities, the Swanston Library, Student Hall, collaboration spaces and food outlets. Walker Fire Protection has successfully completed, commissioned and certified the initial stages of what has been a program to be delivered in three stages, with key facilities being completed progressively and allowing the students to enjoy the benefits as soon as possible.

It has been a prerequisite to keep the buildings fully operational and code compliant for the duration of the project, therefore provision of temporary and interim fire services systems was also required. One of the key challenges has been in the preparation of the construction zones, demolition and alterations have had to be undertaken to existing floor layouts. To allow refurbishment works to continue the Walker Fire Protection team has been supporting these works by temporarily diverting the existing fire services around and through these zones. Work scheduling gives special attention to the impact of noise, with specific ‘noisy works’ unable to be undertaken between 8.30am-6.30pm.

The NAS building is one of the first educational facilities to be delivered under the Green Building Council of Australia’s 5 Star Green Star Interiors Pilot Tool that certifies the sustainability attributes of interior fitout.

RMIT has a reputation for delivering innovative academic programs within stunning modern and historic buildings located in Melbourne’s CBD, we are certain that we will be able to deliver to the University’s requirements, ensuring a reinvigorated Swanston Street campus that is properly fire protected.