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Behind the Scenes: How Fahrenheit Global Fire Engineers Delivered an Award-Winning Fire Protection Solution at Cootamundra Plant

PlanRadar

Winner of the 2025 Fire Protection Project of the Year

 

Fahrenheit Global Fire Engineers have cemented their reputation as industry leaders by taking home the Fire Protection Project of the Year award at the 2025 Fire Australia Awards for their work on the Cootamundra Plant development. This accolade recognises more than a successful fire system installation - it honours the ingenuity, problem-solving, and forward-thinking approach that defined one of the most technically demanding industrial projects in recent years.

 

Tackling a Complex Industrial Landscape

 

The Cootamundra Plant represented a unique fire engineering challenge. As a large-scale facility handling combustible materials and high-risk operations, the project demanded more than standard compliance—it required a custom-built, resilient fire protection strategy from the ground up.

 

Fahrenheit’s engineers were tasked with overcoming a complex blend of risks, including:

• Highly variable fire loads across different zones;

• Integration with intricate mechanical and electrical systems;

• Strict adherence to AS 2419 and AS 1670 within tight timeframes;

• Coordination with multiple stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and contractors.

 

The magnitude of the project called for precise design execution, agile problem-solving, and seamless communication at every phase.

 

Technical Ingenuity Meets Practical Execution

 

To overcome these challenges, Fahrenheit adopted advanced design methodologies paired with practical, collaborative execution.

 

Key innovations included:

• 3D Fire Modelling and Risk Mapping: Fire dynamics simulations enabled precise system placement and validated performance-based design strategies.

• Custom Suppression Systems: A hybrid approach combined water mist systems in sensitive zones with traditional sprinklers in storage areas—balancing effectiveness and cost.

• Smart Alarm Infrastructure: A zoned, intelligent alarm system provided real-time diagnostics and remote access for efficient monitoring and maintenance.

 

Compliance Without Compromise

 

While technical innovation played a pivotal role, Fahrenheit's commitment to regulatory compliance was just as critical to the project’s success. The team worked closely with independent certifiers and Fire Rescue NSW throughout the design and commissioning stages, ensuring the project met all required benchmarks with zero compromise on safety.

 

Regular fire safety audits, design review workshops, and on-site testing protocols helped identify and mitigate potential issues before they could escalate. This proactive, compliance-driven approach was instrumental in building trust across stakeholders and delivering a smooth handover.

 

A Model of Modern Fire Engineering

 

The Cootamundra Plant is now widely regarded as a benchmark for industrial fire protection projects, not only because of the complexity involved but also for the integrated, forward-thinking approach Fahrenheit brought to the table.

 

Their success was not just in deploying the right systems, but in understanding the full lifecycle of the facility — designing for longevity, resilience, and maintainability in one of the most demanding environments.

 

Continuing the Innovation: Digital Audits with PlanRadar

 

Beyond the Cootamundra success story, Fahrenheit Global Fire Engineers continues to lead with innovation. They are currently engaged in a significant contract with NSW Health, providing fire safety audits across regional hospitals in New South Wales.

 

To support this work, Fahrenheit is using PlanRadar, a digital platform for field documentation and task management. PlanRadar enables its engineers to:

 

• Perform on-site inspections via mobile devices;

• Instantly assign issues with photo, voice, and text notes;

• Maintain a digital audit trail for compliance and reporting.

 

“The fire safety industry in Australia is at a turning point. Innovation and digital tools like PlanRadar are no longer optional — they’re essential to delivering the speed, accuracy, and transparency that modern projects demand. As we continue to adopt smarter systems for audits, inspections, and compliance, I see tremendous potential in AI technologies to take us even further,” said Doron D Levy, Managing Director at Fahrenheit Global Fire Engineers. “From predictive analytics to real-time risk identification, AI will be a major driver in how we design, manage, and maintain fire safety for the next generation.”

 

Vitaly Berezka, Regional Head – Central Asia, MENA & APAC at PlanRadar, added: “Australia’s fire safety industry is undergoing a powerful digital transformation. With increasing complexity in building environments and regulatory requirements, forward-thinking firms like Fahrenheit Global are proving that technology can elevate both safety and efficiency. Artificial Intelligence, in particular, is beginning to reshape fire safety—from predictive risk modelling to real-time inspection analytics.”

 

A Model for Modern Fire Engineering

 

Fahrenheit’s award-winning delivery at the Cootamundra Plant is more than a project milestone—it is a blueprint for the future of industrial fire protection. By combining bespoke engineering, collaborative execution, and cutting-edge technology, they’ve set a new benchmark for what excellence looks like in the fire safety industry. 

 

PlanRadar is proud to support Fahrenheit Global Fire Engineers on their journey and congratulates them on this well-deserved industry recognition.

 

About us:

About PlanRadar

PlanRadar is a leading platform for digital documentation, communication and reporting in construction, facility management and real estate projects. It enables customers to work more efficiently, enhance quality and achieve full project transparency. By improving collaboration and providing access to real-time data, PlanRadar’s easy-to-use platform adds value to every person involved in a building’s lifecycle, with flexible capabilities for all company sizes and processes. 

PlanRadar’s Australian chapter is currently partnered with the Australian Institute of Building, EPIC Group, Fire Protection Association Australia and was recently announced as a Best Stand Winner at the 2024 Fire Australia Expo, and an Established Suppliers Winner at the 2023 Australian National PropTech Awards in the category “Design, Build & Develop”. They also work closely with the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Australia, Future Place and Digital Built Environment.

Today, PlanRadar serves more than 150,000 users across 75+ countries.  

 

Contact details:

Mia Hajje

Account Manager

[email protected]

+61 455 566 638