Client: Pak’nSave
Project:Fire Compliance
Buildings: Supermarket
Location: Mt Albert, Auckland
Case Study
Pak'n'Save and the need for change
The need to change
”AquaFire’s team of nearly 80 dedicated fire protection experts, including certified plumbers, has the resources, experience, and capability to deliver top-notch Fire Protection services and installation solutions. Their proactive approach ensures the ongoing safety and reliability of our Fire Protection systems at Pak’nSave Mount Albert.
Jeremy KirwanBuilding and Compliance Manager | Foodstuffs
Pak’nSave Mount Albert is one of Auckland's busiest supermarkets. Built in the late 1990s, the building has remained operational ever since. While the building continued to meet fire safety standards, certain aspects of the Fire Detection, Alarm and Suppression system have required ongoing attention and frequent monitoring.
With high foot traffic and extended operating hours, maintaining optimal fire safety for both staff and customers is crucial—there is no room for error. Most maintenance work must be carried out either during business hours or late at night to minimise disruption.
Challenges and Solutions
Diesel Pump Room
AquaFire identified a potential hazard at the entrance to the diesel pump room, which was only accessible via a ladder from the valve room. This posed a confined space issue, requiring significant health and safety precautions, training, and rescue plans for entry.
Working with AquaFire resulted in designing and installing a door entrance into the room from the walkway to the covered carpark. Now the pump room is easily accessible and the scenario alleviated.
Sprinkler Systems & Pipes
The supermarket’s extensive car park is equipped with a Fire Sprinkler system mounted on the ceiling. Despite being far from the Waitematā Harbour, the pipes are affected by high humidity and vehicle exhaust, making them prone to rust and faster deterioration. This issue was flagged by an inspector during a routine sprinkler system check.
AquaFire replaced approximately a quarter of the car park's pipework over the course of a few nights to ensure minimal disruption to customers.
Water Tanks
To ensure an efficient water supply in the event of a fire, the building is equipped with two water tanks, each with a capacity of over 80,000 litres. AquaFire identified that these tanks, as originally designed, lacked overflow drains. If the valves were to fail or leak, overflow water might enter into the pump room, which also lacks drains, causing potential flooding in both the room and the car park. Furthermore, the valves were not accessible as they are located inside the tanks and require them to be drained first – creating another confined space hazard.
AquaFire's solution was to relocate the valves outside the tanks into accessible pits, which will facilitate easier maintenance. Additionally, we installed external drains to direct overflow water away from the building, preventing future flooding issues.
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