Natural Ventilation In Schools Natural Ventilation In Schools

Mullumbimby High School

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Mullumbimby High School

Passive Fire & Smoke Ventilation for Safer School Environments

Airocle installed a dedicated natural ventilation system at Mullumbimby High School to support fire safety compliance by providing passive smoke and heat exhaust. The solution uses fire-rated vents that operate without power, automatically releasing smoke and heat in the event of a fire to assist safer evacuation and air quality control. As a result, the school benefits from enhanced life-safety performance integrated with everyday passive airflow, improving both safety and ongoing environmental comfort.

  • DEVELOPER
    DEVELOPER
    Am-Iconic Co. Pty Ltd
  • ARCHITECT
    ARCHITECT
    BKA Architecture
  • PRODUCT
    PRODUCT
    8 Series

KEY OUTCOMES

Project Highlights

Enhanced Fire & Smoke Safety

Passive Protection During Emergencies

Fire-rated vents provide automatic smoke and heat exhaust in a fire event, supporting safer evacuation conditions without relying on mechanical systems or power.

Improved Everyday Airflow

Better Indoor Conditions for Staff and Students

The natural ventilation system delivers continuous fresh air throughout learning spaces, helping reduce heat build-up and improving overall air quality.

Low-Energy, Low-Maintenance Solution

Reliable Performance for High-Use Education Facilities

With no moving parts and minimal upkeep required, the system offers long-term durability and cost efficiency suited to busy school environments.

A School Rooted in Community and Excellence

Nestled in the picturesque Byron Shire of northern New South Wales, Mullumbimby High School has been a cornerstone of education since its establishment in 1955. Serving a diverse and dynamic community, the school is known for its commitment to academic, creative, and sporting excellence.

Surrounded by lush riverbanks and rainforest, the campus provides students with an inspiring environment for learning and personal growth. Over the decades, Mullumbimby High School has built a reputation for fostering well-rounded individuals, with dedicated teachers guiding students to success across a broad curriculum.

However, like many schools in regional Australia, Mullumbimby High School has faced environmental challenges that require ongoing maintenance and safety improvements.

 

The Challenge: Rebuilding After the Floods

Severe flooding in recent years left a lasting impact on the school, with floodwaters inundating multiple buildings and disrupting operations. In response, School Infrastructure NSW conducted thorough inspections and initiated extensive repairs to restore the campus and ensure a safe learning environment.

As part of these restoration efforts, a key safety priority emerged: upgrading the school’s ventilation system. The solution needed to:

  • Enhance Fire Safety – Improve smoke and heat extraction to minimise risk in an emergency.
  • Integrate Seamlessly – Fit within the existing infrastructure without major structural changes.
  • Handle Harsh Conditions – Withstand the humid subtropical climate of the region.

Balancing fire protection, functionality, and architectural compatibility required a tailored, high-performance ventilation solution.

The Solution:

To address these needs, we supplied and installed our 8 Series ventilators, a robust and efficient solution designed to enhance fire safety while ensuring effective airflow throughout the school.

Why the 8 Series?

The 8 Series ventilators are engineered for high-performance smoke and heat extraction, making them an ideal choice for schools and public buildings. These roof-mounted units provide:

  • Rapid Smoke & Heat Removal: Helping to contain fires and reduce damage in an emergency.
  • Versatile Operation: Can be manually, pneumatically, or electrically operated, ensuring compatibility with different fire safety systems.
  • Natural Ventilation Benefits: Improving indoor air quality by facilitating passive airflow.
  • Durability & Reliability: Designed to withstand the region’s climate and deliver long-term performance.

By implementing this fire-ready ventilation system, Mullumbimby High School has taken a proactive step in safeguarding students, staff, and infrastructure.

A Safer, Future-Proofed Learning Environment

With the installation of the 8 Series ventilators, Mullumbimby High School has reinforced its commitment to safety while ensuring a comfortable and modern learning environment. Beyond fire protection, the improved ventilation supports better air quality and thermal comfort, contributing to the well-being of students and teachers alike.

This upgrade is more than just a technical improvement, it’s an investment in the school’s future, ensuring that generations of students can continue to learn and thrive in a safe and resilient environment.

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