Blue News Winter Edition 2023
The winter chill has definitely descended, so it must be time for another edition of Blue News!
As usual there has been a lot happening in the last few months, including some very big news in the Blue Fire projects space. You can read all about it below, so please enjoy our latest newsletter and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need our assistance.
BLUE TRAINING
Blue Fire Training Sessions
The training continues! As reported in the last Blue News, we have constructed four installation skills training booths for the Blue Centre of Excellence and completed the training of our first batch of trainees. Not wanting to let the grass grow under our feet the next batch of trainees has now also been put through their paces under the guidance of our master trainer Shane McGuirk. Last month Patrick, Tarun, Griffin and Ross were put through an intensive 2 weeks of installation skills training, and all came through with flying colours; producing some impressive results.
BLUE NEWS
New Projects
Melbourne Airport – Terminal 2 Dry Fire Phase 2
Blue Fire Systems is incredibly pleased to announce that we have been engaged by Melbourne Airport to perform the upgrade of the Terminal 2 Fire Detection system. This is the final phase in this landmark project to replace the existing end-of-life fire detection system. Previous stages have included:
Technology Selection - a services consultant led technology review, resulting in the selection of the Vigilant MX1 detection system and the Fire Control Graphics system developed by Blue Fire Systems for the graphical user interface
Network Design – Aecom completed an initial design of the proposed fire panel and fibre optic cable network. Blue Fire Systems were then awarded the project to complete the full detailed design
Network Installation and Graphics Deployment – Blue Fire Systems were again successful in securing this project to deliver a network of Vigilant MX1 fire panels on a fully redundant fire-rated fibre optic cable ring as well as integrating the Fire Control Graphics system user interface
These earlier phases have laid the foundations for the most challenging phase of the project, replacing all 8,000 field devices, (smoke detectors, heat detectors and interfaces to systems such as mechanical ventilation systems, security and the like) whilst keeping both existing and new systems fully operational. All of this needs to be completed in a live airport environment with around 30k passenger movements every day. It is a significant challenge and one the Blue Fire Systems team is looking forward to delivering.
Recruit Update
Blue Fire Systems have added another couple of fantastic recruits to the team since our last bulletin. Charlie Beech has joined the team at Monash University and is fast getting up to speed with all things fire systems. Alan Lu has joined the team at the Mount Waverley office and is elbow-deep in AutoCAD work.
We welcome Charlie & Alan to the ever-growing Blue Fire Systems family.
Whilst talking about new recruits, BFS is on the lookout for more! If you know anyone who has a positive attitude, an eye for detail and a willingness to learn new skills, please feel free to touch base.
Blue Social Club
The social club has been a bit quiet of late, but rest assured that just means the committee are cooking up something really good. Expect to see a full report of another great Social Club event in the next edition of Blue News.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Updates
Review of Australian Standard AS1851, Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
The current 2012 version of Australian Standard AS1851 is now 11 years old and has been under review by the Standards Australia FP001 Committee for the past year or so. Blue Fire Systems understand that this process is nearing completion and that several significant changes are being considered.
A possible change with far-ranging implications is the potential introduction of digital service records. This may seem like a no-brainer to many of you, but it appears that we are a very long way from consensus as to how these should be generated, shared and stored.
Blue Fire Systems will continue to monitor these changes and keep our valued clients abreast of any relevant issues.
FPAA News
Fire Australia 2023 Conference and Tradeshow
To ensure that we are on top of the latest industry standards, products and technology, Rodney Veugelers and Mark Turner attended the Fire Australia Conference and Tradeshow in Sydney. The latest products and systems were on display, with numerous information sessions attended for topics such as:
Containing fires of the future
Effective design and performance
Australian Standard AS1851
Routine service activities
The digital future
This enabled both Rodney and Mark to bring the latest information on industry standards and product trends back to the Blue Fire Systems team to ensure we are always ahead of the curve, providing the very best advice to our clients.
Do you have any topics you would like to be covered in Blue News? Or any further questions about any elements of fire systems, your friendly Blue team member will be happy to assist.
Kind Regards
David Nuttall
Managing Director