Wormald recently secured an eight-year contract as on-site specialist fire service contractor for Sydney Airport.

For Australia’s largest and busiest airport, Wormald’s long-established technical expertise and respected pedigree made it the clear partner of choice to ensure the air transport hub’s ongoing fire safety and compliance.

Airports: Uniquely complex and challenging

Airports are complex infrastructure sites with intricate risk management requirements. In such an environment, the significance of an effective and reliable fire maintenance strategy cannot be overstated.

There are hundreds of tenancies and different stakeholders on-site at an airport, including custom-controlled and cleared areas, passenger-facing terminal areas, office buildings, hangars, workshops, cargo warehouses, multi-storey car parks, and aviation refuelling stations. Each of these areas presents its own unique fire hazards.

While this may apply to other large complexes, airports are also nodes in the global transportation network. As such, it’s critical that any fire safety plan addresses the airport’s needs and concerns, including the following key areas:

Regulatory compliance

Airports operate within a distinctive regulatory framework that encompasses a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines established by local and international aviation authorities. These regulations cover a wide array of areas, including fire protection, safety protocols, security measures, environmental concerns, operational standards, and more. Understanding and adhering to these standards is vital to delivering works on site. Specialist fire contractors must be up-to-date with all unique requirements in this space.

Expertise in complex environments

Suppliers with experience in airport-specific fire risks can offer tailored solutions that address the unique needs of different airport zones. There are a few situations where large amounts of aviation fuel are stored on-site, mechanical work and repairs take place, and large kitchens cater for thousands of daily customers, all in one location. Each of these areas requires specific skillsets to ensure the specialist equipment is maintained in accordance with design.

Reliable and responsive

In an environment where every second counts, the regular testing of fire systems is key to ensuring they activate as intended. This requires robust delivery systems, the ability to design and implement all types of fire systems, and an ability to work closely with many stakeholders on upgrade projects, de-fits, inspections and testing, and certification.

Safety is paramount

Ensuring safety stands as the foremost priority, particularly given the multitude of risks encountered within airside operations, including mobile plant operations, high-risk fuel areas, and the presence of aircraft. Prior to starting any on-site work, a comprehensive Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) system is imperative. It is essential for the HSEQ team to engage in weekly activities to conduct site audits, quality checks, technical assessments, and other relevant tasks. This proactive involvement is vital to a zero-harm philosophy and in delivering the highest standard of services.

Against such a complex and diverse backdrop, an ability to successfully manage costs is also crucial. Facility managers aim to work with contractors who offer competitive pricing, transparent cost structures, and efficient use of resources to maximise the value of their budget.

Within this context, a lifecycle cost analysis is recommended to evaluate the total cost of ownership for fire protection systems. This approach considers not only the upfront costs but also any ongoing maintenance, operational expenses, and potential future upgrades.

Just as important as ongoing maintenance is additional support, which can include such factors as tenancy fitouts, minor works, installations, system upgrades, evacuation diagrams, fire safety training, and passive fire products.

Addressing Sydney Airport’s specific needs

To ensure compliance and mitigate risk, Wormald’s contract with Sydney Airport includes:

Routine inspection and testing of all fire equipment as per AS1851.2012 A1;
Routine inspection and testing of exit and emergency lighting as per AS 2293.2019;
Annual certification in line with the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act;
Repair and system upgrade works; and
Asset verification and lifecycle planning

Wormald recognises that an effective fire protection maintenance regime is not just about having the right equipment installed on site; it’s also about ensuring the readiness of a significant pool of qualified and highly specialised resources that can be dispatched at a moment’s notice. Wormald’s proven pedigree in providing comprehensive training and support ensures Sydney Airport’s staff are prepared to immediately notify Wormald’s emergency call-out response team and on-site personnel in the event of any emergencies.

Wormald is also committed to delivering long-term support and will ensure that fire suppression systems remain effective and up-to-date with evolving technology and regulations.

Wormald’s Business Development Manager, Antonio Serianni, said, “In a setting like Sydney Airport, the ability to identify and immediately suppress a fire is paramount; in addition there is immense importance on the design of alarm and evacuation systems due to the composition of secure and quarantined areas. This is where an experienced partner delivers real value: through the design of fit-for-purpose systems; best-in-class expertise in complex fire system maintenance; identifying and mitigating high-risk areas; and supporting on-site workers to always put safety first.”

Architecture & Design Team

Wormald

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