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FireWire Issue 28 - December 2011

FireWire 28: Fire protection for Newcastle’s coal export
expansion.

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In May 2010 the first stage of Newcastle’s coal export terminalwas officially opened with an export capacity of 30 milliontonnes per annum (Mtpa). Construction of the second phaseof this project began in August this year and is well underway.The second phase will increase the export capacity from 30Mtpa to 53 Mtpa.

Wormald is delighted to be part of the second phase of the construction project andis working with engineering procurement and construction management contractor,Aurecon Hatch, to install fire protection on the site.

The location of the works, run by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, is on KooragangIsland in Newcastle. Stage 2 of the project includes a new rail unloading facility andrail sidings, an additional stacker/reclaimer and stockyards, additional conveyors andsample stations as well as an additional shiploader. It is expected that the developmentwill continue to generate strong economic benefits for the Hunter region and the rest ofNew South Wales.

The fire protection required for phase 2 of the project consists of a number of detectionand suppression systems located in the wharf area, dump station and stockpile areas,including; fire sprinkler and deluge system, fire detection and emergency warning andintercommunication system (EWIS), Sapphire™ gaseous fire suppression system, firehydrants and fire hose reels, stockpile dust suppression cannons and dump stationventilation system. These systems will help safeguard machinery and operations on thesite, once active, as well as helping protect the export terminal staff from the dangers offire.

Staff at the local Wormald office in Newcastle are working closely with Wormald’sMajor Projects team to ensure that best practice in project management methodologyis adhered to. Special care is taken so risks are understood from the outset and correctplanning is undertaken. The team monitor the progress weekly and provide detailedprogress reports.

It is expected that the project will be completed by the end of February 2012.

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