Background
As urban environments continue to grow denser and land becomes increasingly constrained, developers are turning to innovative solutions to maximise usable space. One such solution is the widespread adoption of car stacker systems in both residential and commercial buildings. Car stackers provide an efficient way to increase parking capacity within a reduced footprint, especially in basement levels or tight urban lots where traditional parking layouts are no longer viable.
While car stackers offer numerous benefits in terms of space optimisation and cost-effectiveness, they also introduce unique fire safety challenges that must be carefully managed.
Special Hazards
Unlike conventional car parks, car stackers store vehicles in vertically stacked configurations. This design, while efficient, presents several fire safety concerns:
- Rapid Fire Spread: The vertical arrangement can allow a fire in one vehicle to spread quickly to those above or below, escalating the incident and increasing the total heat release rate.
- Intensified Fire Load: Multiple vehicles burning simultaneously can lead to significantly higher temperatures and faster development of untenable conditions.
Our Solution
At Sotera, we understand the complexities of fire safety in modern car parking systems. Our team delivers tailored performance solutions that address the specific risks associated with car stackers. These typically involve, early detection, fire separation, automatic fire suppression
Through careful design and a performance-based approach aligned with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards, Sotera provides practical, compliant, and cost-effective fire safety strategies for developments incorporating car stackers.