Richard Welsh

Director / Fire Safety Engineer

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Masters Degree in Fire Safety Engineering
University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Bachelors Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (Hons)
University of Canterbury, New Zealand

As Director and Senior Fire Safety Engineer, Richard is responsible for ensuring Complete Fire Design always delivers exceptional Fire Safety Engineering solutions, advice and customer service to every client on every project.  He leads and oversees in-house teams on major projects and oversees the management of all projects and employees.

Richard is responsible for the sound financial management of the company and ensures its continued development is well balanced and sustainable.

Richard is a Registered Professional Fire Safety Engineer and the Chairman of the Society of Fire Safety, (WA).  As Senior Fire Safety Engineer and Director of Complete Fire Design, he has been responsible for many leading projects within Australia, with expertise in the performance based design of residential buildings, assembly buildings, high and low rise offices, shopping centres, educational, government and industrial buildings.

Richard has extensive experience with the Building Code of Australia and has strong relationships with Local Government Approval Authorities and the Fire & Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia.  He possesses strong negotiation skills and is particularly adept in presenting the more technical and complex aspects of fire safety engineering.  His involvement with the Society of Fire Safety at an executive level, also keeps Richard abreast of ‘World’s Best Practice’ Fire Safety Engineering.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Institute of Engineers Australia
• Chartered Professional Engineer
• National Professional Engineers Register
• Chairman Society of Fire Safety (WA)

Darren Wong

Fire Safety Engineering Manager

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Graduate Certificate in Performance Based Engineering
Victoria University of Technology, Victoria

Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering   
University of Western Australia, WA

In his capacity as Fire Safety Engineering Manager, Darren manages on a daily basis all in-house project teams.  He oversees all aspects of project work undertaken by teams, ensuring they are completed to the company’s high standards.

He is responsible for ensuring clients goals and objectives are achieved expediently and cost effectively allowing flexibility and innovation in design. 

As a diversely experienced Fire Safety Engineer, Darren has expertise in major retail shopping centre extensions, high rise residential buildings and industrial projects.

Darren has a background in fire safety systems design and has been involved in the Australian and overseas building industry since 1993.  During this time, he worked with consulting firms in the design of sprinkler systems, hydrant and hose reel systems and fire detection and alarm systems to residential buildings, assembly buildings, office developments, shopping centres, educational buildings and industrial buildings.

Having previously worked with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) of WA as a Fire Safety Officer, Darren has extensive experience with the compliance review of building developments with particular emphasis to performance based design projects. During this time Darren worked closely with building surveyors in various Local Government Authorities, and represented FESA on the Fire Engineering Working Group (FEWG) of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC), which is the peak representative body for fire and emergency services in the Australasian region.  His role on the FEWG involved formulating policies and guidelines for use by fire and emergency services nationally. 

With his extensive government background, Darren maintains very strong relationships with Local Government Authorities and FESA which is vital in the approval process.

 

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Institute of Engineers Australia
• Member of Society of Fire Safety (WA)

Chris Ablett

Fire Safety Engineer

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Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematical Sciences  (Hons),
Curtin University, Western Australia

Chris Ablett joined Complete Fire Design in March of 2006 as a Fire Safety Engineer after completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematical Sciences with Honors.  In 2008 Chris will be undertaking his Masters in Fire Engineering at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Chris’ particular interest and expertise, is quantitative smoke modeling through the use of both zone and computation fluid dynamics modelling, which utilise the numerical methods studied as part of his degree.  Chris has skills in numerical modelling of evacuation strategies, in particular, through the use of computer programs such as Simulex.

Chris has worked on a diverse range of small, medium and large projects with Complete Fire Design including industrial, retail, residential and commercial office building developments. He has been involved with both quantitative and qualitative fire engineered solutions as well as compliance reviews.

In his role as a Fire Safety Engineer, Chris works alongside our experienced team of Engineers and provides essential support and information with regard to the fundamental analytical and numerical calculus implemented in the smoke movement calculations.  As such, Chris keeps abreast of new developments and advances in the computer modelling of smoke movement phenomena and human evacuation.

 

Professional Affiliations

• Australian Mathematical Society

Stephen Keel

Fire Safety Engineer

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Honors Degree in Fire Safety Engineering
South Bank University, London.

Stephen is a Fire Safety Engineer with an extensive background in the Fire Service.  He served for 20 years as a Fire Service Officer in the Kent Fire & Rescue Service in England.  During this time, he was involved with the provision of fire safety advice and statutory consultation with Local Authorities, architects and Licensing authorities. 

During his service as a Fire Brigade Officer, Stephen undertook studies in Fire Safety Engineering graduating with Honors.

In 2006, Stephen relocated from the UK to Auckland and took up employment with the New Zealand Fire Service as a Fire Engineer in the newly formed Design Review Unit. In this capacity, Stephen was involved with the compliance review of a large range of building developments throughout New Zealand, assessing fire engineered designs for technical content as well as being part of a national team contributing to global objectives related to education, research and development, codes and standards and operational activity.

With this diverse and extensive knowledge, Stephen joined Complete Fire Design as a Fire Safety Engineer in February 2007.  His particular area of expertise and interest is in the creative use of active and passive fire safety systems.  Stephen is responsible for managing all stages of a project and is highly qualified with regard to the preparation and implementation of alternative solutions having managed and completed work on a large range of design projects including high rise residential and office buildings, sports stadiums and shopping centres.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of Society of Fire Safety (WA)

Julie Saunders

Fire Safety Engineer

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Bachelors Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering
University of Western Australia, WA

Bachelors Degree in Science (Hons)
University of Western Australia, WA

Julie joined Complete Fire Design in July 2007 and is highly skilled in two types of smoke movement modelling; Zone modelling and Field modelling.  Field modelling involves the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics and can be used to model more complex geometries, as is common in today’s building age. 

Having worked in various offices within Australasia, Julie has worked on a wide range of projects, being involved in the performance based design of indoor entertainment and sports stadiums, performing arts venues, low and high rise office blocks, residential buildings, age care facilities, shopping centres, educational buildings and a car stacker.  Julie is highly experienced in fire safety assessments, pedestrian movement modelling, risk analysis and smoke movement modeling which helps provide design teams flexibility in design and allows cost savings on projects.

Julie has strong negotiation skills having been required to liaise with a large number of Local Government Approving Authorities and with the Fire and Emergency Services of Western Australia. She has developed close relationships with these Authorities and also with various consultants over a range of disciplines, including structural, mechanical, electrical, building surveyors and fire services through her professional and meticulous management of projects.

Julie is currently in her last year of a Masters in Fire Engineering at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Institute of Engineers Australia
• Member of Society of Fire Safety (WA)

David Fitzpatrick

Fire Safety Engineer

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Graduate Certificate in Performance Based Engineering
Victoria University, Victoria

Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering
University of Western Australia, WA

Bachelors Degree in Commerce
University of Western Australia, WA

David is an experienced Fire Safety Engineer who began in the fire safety industry in April 2005, after 7 years experience in project management working for various companies in the construction, mining and pharmaceutical industries.  A number of these projects involved environmental, safety and risk strategies for hazardous and sensitive clean room environments including equipment and systems designed to meet Australian and the US NFPA standards.

Prior to joining Complete Fire Design in 2007, David worked as a fire safety engineer responsible for performance based engineering, systems design and building fire safety auditing.  David has a broad range of experience from fire safety systems in power stations, educational buildings and hospitals to defence force and industrial buildings. 

As a Fire Safety Engineer with Complete Fire Design, David is highly competent and experienced with regard to buildings which include consideration of dangerous goods storage, industrial risks and special hazards fire protection, having been involved in the design, project management, testing and commissioning of gaseous, watermist and foam systems in sensitive and hazardous areas.

David is currently studying and is due to complete the Graduate Diploma in Building Fire Safety and Risk Engineering in December 2007 and is working towards his Masters in Fire Safety Engineering in 2008.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Institute of Engineers Australia
• Member of the Society of Fire Safety

Wan, Chee Hian

Fire Safety Engineer

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Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering
Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia

Prior to moving to Australia in 2005 to commence his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Wan worked for several companies in Singapore as a Project Engineer, undertaking engineering on a diverse range of small, medium and large projects, providing him with six years of engineering experience.

During this time, Wan was involved with a large variety of projects that were within Singapore as well as other Asian countries. He was responsible for the preparation and delivery of project documentation, including detailed project plans, reports, budgeting, compliance with regulations and contract management information. With a diverse work base in project engineering, Wan has excellent experience with solving work-based problems by gathering and sorting information, developing and analyzing alternatives and making well-reasoned decisions.

Wan joined Complete Fire Design in March of 2008 as a Fire Safety Engineer after completing his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering with Honors. Wan’s particular area of expertise is Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling. His final year project at University involved the modelling of the aerodynamic forces over the surface of a two-dimensional thin, cambered and rigid aerofoil in incompressible flow.

In 2009, Wan will be undertaking his Masters in Fire Engineering at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Institute of Engineers Australia

Erica Welsh

Accounts /Administration Manager

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In her capacity as Accounts Manager, Erica is responsible for the general accounts of the company, invoicing, accounts receivable and payable. She provides daily, weekly and monthly accounting information to both the Company Director and Accountant to assist with the sound financial management of the company.

Erica is also responsible for the overall management of administration and marketing for Complete Fire Design. With over ten years experience as a Marketing and Advertising consultant for national and international retail brands, Erica is well placed to ensure our clients receive only the very best in service from every member of our team.

Leisa Blanch

Receptionist / Office Administrator

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As our Receptionist, Leisa is most likely the first person you will speak to when contacting Complete Fire Design. She is very experienced in her role and will be more than happy to help you with anything she can.

Leisa joined Complete Fire Design in February 2008 and as Receptionist, Leisa manages front desk reception, assists all team members in an administrative capacity, manages and carries out inductions for new staff and is the Officer of Health and Safety for Complete Fire Design.

With many years of experience in administration and having also previously managed her own small business, Leisa is also well qualified in her role of Office Administrator for Complete Fire Design. In this capacity, Leisa ensures Complete Fire Design operates efficiently and effectively in regards to all administration, on a day to day basis.