Case Study

Bristol University Bioscience Building – Fire Design, Fire Engineering, CFD

May 23, 2011 12:00 am

A new building was proposed on the Bristol University Campus with two wings, one to house a laboratory and the other, for office occupation. LWF was asked to provide a full review of the proposed design and provide Fire Engineered Design solutions, CFD and Fire Strategy.

Key Facts:

Client: University of Bristol

Project Managers: Capita Symonds

Architect: Sheppard Robson Architects

Approximate Size: 13,000m2

Description of the Project:

The proposed new Bristol University Bioscience

Building will be located at the junction of Tyndall Avenue

and St. Michael’s Hill on the site of Bristol University. The

building is due to be completed in 2013 as part of the

Universities Phase 1 Development Master Plan and

comprises two wings, a laboratory wing and office

wing. The laboratory and office areas are connected

at each level by open bridges across a large atrium

space which also contains the main circulation routes

through the building. The building will have a basement,

ground and four above ground storeys. A greenhouse is

also to be provided at roof level

LWF Involvement:

• Review design proposals and provide fire engineered

options to achieve architectural and user objectives

for the building;

• Provide analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics

(CDF) simulation to ensure tenable conditions are maintained

for means of egress in the atrium;

• Prepare detailed fire strategy for the development;

• Coordinate with the client and design team;

• Liaise with approval authority for fire safety approval

of the project.