With superior finishes throughout, this building is a fine example of a fire upgrade project which maintains the architectural and aesthetic qualities of a landmark Sydney property. Birtley Towers is a stunning heritage listed residential building built in 1933 with significant art deco features. The building owners and various BCA consultants negotiated with Council over several years and agreed to a final scope of works in late 2002. Fire Safety Constructions were involved for much of this pre-tender process and then commenced the main upgrade works in mid January 2003.
The building comprises 10 residential levels and a common area basement. The required works involve a new combined hydrant / fire hose reel system, gas system upgrade, smoke detection system, exit & emergency lighting, smoke separation of corridors and fire rated doors to the stairs and basement, Due to the heritage listing, the required works were designed to have minimum impact on the building. For example, heritage kit doors were used as specified by the Heritage Council of NSW to all unit doors, concealed wiring was achieved to all new electrical fittings and new hydrant landing valves were recessing into existing gas cupboards and risers.
In early 2006, we were engaged to finalise the fire upgrade works to the basement and ground floor after further negotiations with Council. In lieu of installing a second south stair egress, a sprinkler system was retrofitted to the basement and ground floors. Fire Safety Constructions were involved in this design process to ensure practicality of construction in providing coverage to the occupied units, especially in terms of concealment of sprinkler pipes and risers.
