Primary data analysis – buildings 1 Interview with project managers

The interview was conducted with construction project managers who have been involved with major enclosed shopping centre constructions, renovations and extensions (Refer Appendix 4.7) They are a major contractor in the construction industry. Project managers have a coordinating role in the commercial building industry. Their role is to bring together the various components of the project including the building surveyor, architects, engineers, and other professional services. They deal directly with the owners and the managers of the enclosed shopping centres on a daily basis. The

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owners/managers of enclosed shopping centres are engaged in new projects. This includes a „green field‟ site when a new enclosed shopping centre is built on land not previously used. This type of project is the result of the growth in urban areas in the outer suburbs. However, new enclosed shopping centres are being built in regenerated land close to the cities. New projects can be the result of the expansion of established centres in older areas. The building is subject to the fire regulations in force at the time of completion. The project managers have to deal with a number of situations during the construction of new centres and the renovation of existing centres. This can have a major influence in the area of fire risk. This is especially true if the tenancies are still occupied while the renovations are continuing.

Enclosed shopping centres in central business districts (CBD)

In Australia, many enclosed shopping centres located in the central business districts of the capital and provincial cities are being renovated. Changes in the demographics of the cities has resulted in the demand for improved shopping centres. The regeneration of the shopping centres has posed a number of construction hurdles that new centres do not have. The CBD renovations are the result of older buildings not being able to service the customer according to requirements. The central business district projects raise a number of issues due to a range of factors including:

1. location close to other commercial buildings 2. heritage-listed properties

3. the continued use of the building as an enclosed shopping centre while the renovations are being completed

The project managers sub-contract to experts the adequacy of entry and exit points for the flow of people in the specific area. This is described in the next section.

6.4.2 Interview with building surveyors

The role of the building surveyor is important in the completion of new and refurbished commercial buildings. They are required to check a number of requirements before the issuing of occupancy certificates. They are responsible for ensuring the commercial building conforms to the building codes. The building surveyors work as a team with project managers, architects and the consulting engineers. An interview was conducted with a senior manager of PLP Building Surveyors of Melbourne to gain some understanding of the building surveyor‟s role and how they interact with the other teams in the building of enclosed shopping centres (Refer Appendix 4.4)

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Q1. Do you treat the building of enclosed shopping centres in the same way as other commercial buildings?

Reply: „All commercial buildings are treated in the same manner. They are required to conform to the building codes in force at the time of construction. Assuming the commercial buildings involve large people movements such as in hotels, shopping centres, and airports, we will consult with the project managers and specialised consulting engineers for an investigation into the people movement‟s questions‟.

Q2. Are the building surveyors responsible for the simulation of people movements in commercial buildings?

Reply: „As stated in Question 1, the building surveyors are not experts in this field and the client will require an independent assessment of the people movement models. The consulting engineers who have the expertise and the resources to conduct the required tests best handle this‟.

Conclusion

Question 1 relates to an interview with specialist consulting engineers. This is the point when the consulting engineers are advised of the questions in relation to people movements. This is covered in the interview with the consulting engineers. They have the responsibility for advising the client (owner) of any anticipated problems with the movement of people. The building surveyors have an important role to play in the commercial building sector. Their role is central to ensure buildings comply with the regulations and building Acts. The building surveyors are part of a closely regulated system of checks and balances and the level of risk in the enclosed shopping centre buildings is low. However, extra risks come later when the buildings need renovating or extending.

6.4.3 Interview with consulting engineers in fire safety

The consulting engineers are engaged to conduct independent assessments of fire and risks in commercial buildings. The buildings may be hotels, offices, shopping centres, and airports. The objective of the assessment is for the building to conform to the codes and regulations. An interview was arranged with Scientific Fire Services of South Melbourne (Refer Appendix 4.5). The interview was conducted with the senior personnel.

Q1. Who engages you to carry out the consulting work?

Reply: „We are engaged by the project managers and architects on behalf of the owners to do an independent assessment of the fire risks. We work with the building surveyors and project managers to get the best outcome for the building. We advise the project managers of any issues arising from the movement of people through the building‟.

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Q2. Do you use computer simulation for the fire risks?

Reply: „As consulting engineers we use the latest computer simulation software. The process is that the variables are fed into the systems and the results are produced in the form of reports. The use of computers in the area of simulation is the only way to get the required information for analysis. The simulation measures the movement of people via the intended entry and exit points. This is calculated with the expected number of people visiting the enclosed shopping centre, and will include a “Worse Case Scenario”‟.

Conclusions from interview: The consulting engineers are removed from the day-to-day management of fire risks. The systems appear to work well and the various parties do what is required to make sure all areas are covered. The risks in this area are low due to the checks and balances within the systems. However, their input is important to ascertain the level of influence in the area of fire risk management. The consulting engineer input is important to the safe movement of people in and out of the building. However, they are not responsible for the number of entry/exit points. This resides with the architects. The architects are governed by the building codes.

6.5 Primary data analysis – external stakeholders