Description of Project
Elite Fire was requested to partake in a tender process for a university in Mpumalanga to install fire protection systems in a newly constructed auditorium.
Fire safety is a paramount concern in any building, but it becomes even more critical in higher education teaching buildings or institutions. Lecture halls in universities can accommodate hundreds of students at once, creating challenges in the event of a fire. Evacuating large numbers of people safely requires meticulous planning and well-designed fire protection systems.
Project | Fire Protection Systems |
Size | 6100m2 |
Scope | Design, Supply & Installation of Fire Protection Systems |
Discipline | Fire Protection |
Expected Completion | End 2025 |
PROJECT SCOPE
Design, Supply and Install:
- Fire Sprinkler System
- Smoke Detection
PROCESS OUTLINE
Fire Sprinkler System
The client requires a Wet Sprinkler System with two sprinkler control valves (2x150mm) to protect the auditorium. A wet system is more common than other fire sprinkler systems. According to SANS 10400 National Building Code, while not all commercial warehouses or buildings require an automated sprinkler protection system, those over 2500m2 do. Wet fire sprinkler systems protect areas against quickly growing or spreading fires and are used in buildings where there are:
- Combustible materials, or when thermal damage can occur quickly.
- Excessive storage heights

Smoke Detection
The client has an existing Ziton panel which the new system needs to feed to:
- Two fire panels,
- 118 smoke detectors,
- 18 manual call points,
- 9 heat detectors &
- 60 sounder strobe detectors.
Smoke detectors play a crucial role along with all other fire safety equipment because they are the essential early warning that something is wrong. Despite being visible almost everywhere, they often go unnoticed. Fire Marshals are likely to be responsible for reporting if they are faulty and reporting them to the maintenance manager to have them replaced and/or serviced.

Challenges:
- Health and safety are very strict on this particular site.
- Local labour is required to empower local communities.