Brickworks Austral: Natural Ventilation for High-Heat Kiln Facility

Who Are Brickworks

Brickworks Austral is a cornerstone of Australia’s building and construction industry, supplying high-quality clay bricks and architectural masonry to some of the nation’s most iconic residential, commercial and civic projects.

Their advanced kiln facilities run continuously to meet industry demand, where consistent heat management, air quality and asset resilience play a vital role in maintaining product integrity and operational momentum. For a manufacturer built on craftsmanship, innovation and long-term performance, protecting the production environment is essential.

The Challenge 

Brickworks needed to replace and expand an ageing production building that had reached end-of-life. As a heritage-listed structure, the facility had to be rebuilt like-for-like while integrating modern, compliant ventilation. 

The site presented several critical ventilation challenges: 

• Extreme heat loads from industrial kilns generating sustained high internal temperatures 

• Continuous airborne brick dust that, when combined with heat and moisture, accelerated corrosion 

• Requirements to maintain kiln performance, production efficiency, and building lifespan 

• Preserve architectural character due to heritage restrictions 

At another Brickworks facility, warm brick dust had accumulated inside the structure and accelerated corrosion, significantly impacting whole-of-life costs and building performance. With the new Austral rebuild, preventing this issue from reoccurring became a major priority. 

The previous ventilation system on the Austral building had also deteriorated and required replacement with a more modern, high-performance solution. 

Brickworks needed a ventilation system that could not only handle extreme kiln heat loads, but also protect the new building from dust-driven corrosion and support long-term operational resilience. 

The Solution 

To meet stringent airflow, compliance, and heritage requirements, Airocle engineered a high-performance natural ventilation strategy purpose-built for Brickworks Austral’s environment. The solution combines powerful heat extraction with continuous passive ventilation, ensuring hot air and airborne brick dust are removed at the source, without mechanical energy or maintenance-heavy systems.
This included:

• 4 Series Roof Vents for high temperature & dust extraction over kiln areas 

• 5 Series Roof Vents across adjoining warehouse zones for cross-flow ventilation
   

Material & Coating Strategy 

To specifically address the corrosion environment, the 4 Series units were manufactured in aluminium and finished with a specialised corrosion-resistant coating. This extends product lifespan by mitigating the effects of heat-activated particulate buildup and airborne mineral dust. 

This customised approach ensures the new system delivers the required airflow performance, longevity, and compliance — while matching the heritage roof profile. 

Why This Combination?

The system works passively, using temperature differences and natural buoyancy to remove hot, dust-laden air at its source, without relying on mechanical systems or heavy maintenance requirements.
 

The Results 

• Significant improvement in heat extraction above kiln operations 

• Corrosion-resistant system designed to protect the investment over its full lifecycle 

• Cleaner environment with reduced particulate settlement inside the building 

• Improved worker comfort across production and warehouse zones 

• Compliance with heritage and industrial ventilation standards 

• Long-term operational reliability without mechanical energy use 

Brickworks now benefit from a natural ventilation strategy engineered for high-stress industrial conditions, reducing maintenance exposure and extending the life of the new facility. 

Need a Tailored Design for Complex Industrial Conditions? 

Every manufacturing facility faces unique airflow challenges, especially when heat, dust, and compliance requirements converge. 

Speak with our engineering team for a site-specific ventilation design that protects your building and supports production efficiency. 

Talk to our ventilation engineers today.