Based in Solihull for over 60 years, Jaguar Land Rover is a household name. With demand increasing for its vehicles the brand’s existing manufacturing facility required a significant extension.
After initial designs proved to be unsuitable, site contractors McLaren Construction Limited called upon FDS Consult to devise a strategy which would enable the factory to maximise its 76,760m² working area, while remaining cost effective and code compliant.
Though the original strategy required the use of dividing walls between the pre-existing factory floor and the extensions, FDS Consult was able to justify their removal.
This was done through the use of zone modelling techniques in combination with Available Safe Escape Time (ASET) and Required Safe Escape Time (RSET) assessments, allowing FDS Consult to determine whether occupants would be able to safely evacuate the building in the case of fire, and hence justifying the extended travel distances created by the removal of the compartment walls.
By removing the requirement for the dividing walls, FDS Consult was able to provide Jaguar Land Rover with a large, continuous work area, without restricting access to the production line at any point.
By implementing these methods, FDS Consult was also able to:
- Justify the reduction of sprinkler heads down to a property protection level in order to meet requirements and ensure insurance compliance.
- Justify out the requirement for natural smoke vents while continuing to provide a code-compliant fire strategy.
- Remove the requirement for ancillary areas to be fire rated, as the building is of steel construction
