An sssociate consultant working across fire safety and fire protection, Sofie Sun has over 15 years of building industry experience across multiple sectors including defence, industrial, residential, commercial, aged care and health.
Based in Canberra, she is a Chartered Professional Engineer and accredited fire protection engineer, pursuing a second master’s degree in fire safety engineering.
Here, Sofie reflects on her inspiration to become an engineer, how fire engineering and fire protection engineering work together, and her predictions on how artificial intelligence may inform the future of fire engineering.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
My very first job was as a graduate engineer in a consulting firm that specialised in designing power plants. The firm delivered more than half of its work in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Sudan. When these countries’ power plants were designed and built, the generated electricity illuminated the nights and influenced the lives of the population. Seeing this was rewarding and fulfilling and was the inspiration for me to become an engineer.
Why fire engineering?
I have worked as a fire protection engineer to provide fire services per applicable standards for many years. In many circumstances, clients asked me if any alternative solutions could save our construction cost. Also, there are grey areas in the prescriptive standards that encouraged me to explore the fire dynamics to understand fire development so that I can give solid advice to clients.
Fire engineering work helps me understand the fire dynamic and behaviour, as well as the subsequent impacts on buildings, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the full fire safety system, including smoke hazard management and structural appropriateness.
What innovative new approaches are you seeing when it comes to fire engineering?
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be critical in the future of fire engineering. AI may, for example, be used to create predictive algorithms that estimate the frequency and severity of fire incidents in buildings. In addition, AI-based simulations and modelling tools may assist fire engineers in the development and spread of fires within the building.
If you’ve worked across regions, countries, and/or Tetra Tech operating units, can you tell us about the key similarities and differences you’ve encountered when it comes to mechanical engineering and your projects?
I have worked across regions in fire safety engineering projects. The local fire authority must review or approve all performance solution reports which are comparable across regions. The application methods vary by state; for example, Reg 129 in Victoria allows for an exemption without the involvement of fire safety engineering, whereas other Australian states demand a performance solution for any deviations from the applicable criteria.
What is the difference between fire protection engineering and fire engineering, and how do they work together?
Fire protection and fire engineering are two related but distinct fields that focus on different aspects of fire safety.
Fire protection is mainly for implementing active fire safety measures to prevent, control and suppress a fire, which includes designing smoke detection, EWIS, sprinkler, hydrant and fire hose reel systems.
Fire safety engineering focuses on analysis and provides a high-level fire safety strategy for the buildings. It encompasses a broader and more analytical approach to fire safety, utilising scientific correlations and principles to analyse fire hazards and provide alternative solutions to achieve safety requirements.
How does diversity of background and thought influence how you deliver your projects?
The diversity of people’s backgrounds brings different perspectives and knowledge when considering the fire strategy. For instance, given my background in fire protection, when I presented a performance solution in fire safety engineering, I comprehended the prescriptive criteria as well as the financial consequences of a fire safety system.
Furthermore, diversity creates a broader range of ideas and perspectives throughout decision-making processes, assisting the client in determining the most cost-effective solution. Diversity can also improve flexibility and adaptability when confronting unanticipated challenges or adjustments that arise through the design process.
