FMG Engineering & Channel Ten's 'The Home Team'

FMG Engineering’s Victorian Housing Team is part of the new television show on home renovation called 'The Home Team'.

FMG Engineering's involvement is to provide advice on the removal of existing load bearing walls, new support beams required and design of a new external timber deck.

Check out the video segments that have been filmed to date involving FMG Engineering here:
http://bit.ly/1pt7J9N or you can catch full episodes here: http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-home-team.

You can watch The Home Team at 3.30pm Weekdays on TEN — Join the experts as they renovate and restore a typical Australian suburban home. With DIY tips, design and landscaping, The Home Team will help you navigate your next DIY project or renovation.

ACE Body Corporate Management - Issue#153 - November 2014

Excellence in Integrated Stormwater Design Winner

Winner - (SA) Oaklands Wetland Stormwater Reuse Scheme by FMG Engineering, DesignFlow and Taylor Cullity Lethlean.

Andrew Allan, Stormwater Australia President and Katrine Hildyard MP congratulate Excellence in Integrated Stormwater Design Winners Kristy Good from Sydney Catchment Authority (far left), Jeremy Clapp from FMG Engineering (middle), Ann Shaw Rungie from Ann Shaw Rungie Consulting (right) and Robin Allison from DesignFlow (far right) with Taylor Cullity Lethlean for their Oaklands Wetland Stormwater Reuse Scheme.

This $9M project harvests stormwater to provide an alternative water supply for non-potable uses, reducing the reliance on traditional water resources such as the River Murray and Mount Lofty Ranges catchments.

The project also decreases the impact of urban runoff on downstream waterways and coastal environments by capturing pollutants found in stormwater.

http://www.stormwater.asn.au/emag/Stormwater_Australia_Bulletin_Edition_212_October/#/1/

Slam Dunk Footing Report for Primary School Basketball Rings!

Bridgewater Primary School recently had two basketball rings donated to them, unfortunately due to their size they needed some suitable footings designed.  Due to the lack of available funds to pay for engineering and installation, the basketball rings ended up lying on the ground, unusable.  When we heard about this, Operations Manager Sean Gibbs jumped into action and took some measurements and photographs of the rings and asked our Housing Civil Engineer Ben Lewis, to design a suitable footing system, free of charge!  A footing contractor then kindly volunteered his time one weekend and had it installed so that the kids can now use their brand new rings!

Major Projects Won

East Grand Trunkway, Gillman
FMG Research House have been contracted by Bardavcol Pty Ltd to undertake a level 1 controlled fill for a industrial subdivision project at East Grand Trunkway Gillman, Stage 1 comprising 7 allotments which vary in size from approximately 9000m2 to 14000m2 and two access roads. Project value $12M.

Lindt, Sydney Business Park, Marsden Park
We have been engaged by design and construct builder Qanstruct to provide structural and civil engineering services for Lindt in Marsden Park. This project consists of a temperature controlled warehouse of approximately 20,000 square metres, including 20 metre cantilever awning, 5,400 square metres of maintenance area and chocolate production areas.
There is also a large 3 level office component of about 2500 sqm.
truck marshalling area, recessed truck docks and carpark for 320 cars on a site with a 5 metre fall that will add to the challenge for the civil design.

Yarraville Residential Development
FMG Engineering's environmental group has been engaged by a developer who has Council approval to construct apartments on a site that is contaminated and was historically used as a municipal landfill.  A condition of Council's approval is the completion of a rigorous soil and groundwater assessment and design of an engineered capping layer, under the supervision of an EPA appointed auditor.

Monash University C2 Residential Project
Monash University's new master plan for the Clayton Campus aims to increase the number of residential beds from the current 1,750 beds to 10,000. The first stage of the plan identified three sites to provide an extra 1,000 beds each. FMG have been engaged by architects McBride Charles Ryan as structural and civil engineers on one of the sites. The building is 7 stories high and has approx. 250 apartments over the top six levels. The ground floor is a retail area, with construction cost estimates at approximately $30 million.
The floors are post tensioned and are supported by internal and external precast panels. The internal and external panels are supported by columns at ground floor to allow for open spaces for the retail area. Whilst the façade is distinctive, it is only made up of precast panels of two different shapes.

Monash University

"Excellence in Multi-Stage Development" Norstar Steel Recyclers

Norstar has recently completed construction of a new shredder for their metal recycling plant. The client initially engaged Burns Hamilton to manage the design phase of the project that required management and co-ordination of the contractors and subcontractors involved in the project. This involved weekly design meetings to ensure that all information and drawings were sent to and coordinated with the relevant parties, and that all queries were answered as soon as possible to keep the project moving.

The client was so impressed with our design management that they engaged FMG Engineering to manage the construction stage.

Being responsive to the client, following up straight away and communicating regularly made a huge difference to the project. All consultants and contractors on the project benefited by being able to access information in a more timely manner, resulting in a smoothly run and highly successful project.

Michelle Collett          

Structural Engineer, VIC
 

Norstar Steel Recyclers

"Exceeding Expectations at Weston Milling"

An initial forensic inspection on a warehouse building identified a number of structural deficiencies including severe deterioration of parts of the building that required urgent rectification, primarily affecting their warehouse and distribution network.

The client's initial internal advice and estimates were suggesting an unacceptable timeframe for downtime of this critical business element.

FMG Engineering was engaged to investigate and facilitate an approach to drastically reduce the time the warehouse was under repair. From approval to proceed, design documentation was produced in a staged manner from three weeks with Development Approvals being gained for the initial stages within six weeks.

FMG Engineering facilitated a team to deliver methodology, design, documentation and construction of works with the warehouse being unavailable for only six months. We also assisted the client in securing temporary facilities for the duration of the works.

FMG Engineering's pro-active approach led to a rapid solution to a complex set of problems, far exceeding Weston Milling's expectations.

Serhan Halil
Senior Structural Engineer

Testimonial
"When MAURI anz needed to demolish and rebuild a stone warehouse in Adelaide, we asked FMG Engineering to provide structural engineering support to the project. From the outset, FMG Engineering gave great advice on everything from the initial emergency propping of the warehouse, to the complete rebuild of the facility. The outcome was a demolition and construction project that was finished to a high specification, on time, and to a very tight budget. FMG Engineering's involvement was much wider than structural engineering. I have no doubt that without their input we would not have got such good value for money for an activity, that as a food company, we rarely conduct. I would enlist FMG Engineering's support again in a heartbeat."

John Power
Operations Director
MAURI anz

Weston Milling Warehouse

New Boss Appointed at FMG Engineering - The Advertiser 7 October 2014

Adelaide based consulting firm FMG Engineering has appointed Matthew Loftes to the newly created role of chief executive after an exhaustive review of the company.

Formerly the company's chief operating officer, Mr Loftes will work alongside managing director Peter Bayetto to drive the company's growth and development.

"I initiated a warts-and-all client review which confirmed FMG's quality and integrity with a fine reputation developed over 40 years," he said.

"However it highlighted areas in which we can improve and this has become a priority. My emphasis will be to maintain our quality, integrity and to add value for our clients."

FMG has offices in Adelaide and Melbourne and shopfront premises in Tanunda and Mt Gambier. It employs about 150 engineers, scientists, technicians and support staff.

"We have bucked the economic trend with 50 percent annual revenue growth over the last two years, having merged with Burns Hamilton and Partners who have a strong background in commercial development," Mr Loftes said.

Matthew Loftes - Chief Executive Officer

HOW TO MINIMISE CRACKING IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

Temperatures can play havoc with our homes – whether it’s summer, winter, autumn or spring, your house can suffer, both cosmetically and structurally, from changes in the weather.

One of the issues we commonly see in residential properties is cracking.

Cracking is caused by the expansion, or swelling, and contraction of the reactive clay soils upon which they are founded. Expansion and contraction occurs with moisture changes within the soil. The extent of movement and cracking is quite often exacerbated when there are trees and shrubs in the vicinity of the property which draw moisture from the soils leading to shrinkage.

There are a number of ways to tackle the issue of movement and cracking, including maintaining the moisture in the founding soils that support the footings. It is also important that the paving is constructed at the perimeter of the residence as this restricts moisture evaporation and shrinkage of the soils that may result in settlement.

It is also necessary to ensure gutters and downpipes are clear of debris and leaves and that the stormwater system discharges away from the building. Long-term leakage can result in expansion of the soil and a portion of the house to rise resulting in cracking to the structural fabric. A leaking stormwater system attracts roots from nearby trees and shrubs which, during dry periods (such as summer), can again exacerbate soil drying and settlement.

"Surprisingly, irregular watering of lawns can also contribute to cracking – a reminder to keep on top of all your gardening!"

Therefore to minimise cracking in residential properties, you can look to some of the following solutions:

1.    Ensure paving is constructed at the perimeter of the residence and has a fall away from the residence.

2.    Regularly water vegetated areas and undertake maintenance of trees, shrubs and lawns.  If possible avoid vegetation or trees in close proximity to the structure.

3.    Keep gutters and stormwater system clear.  Ensure all downpipes discharge away from the residence.

4.    Ensure falls of surfaces adjacent to your residence are sufficient to convey water away from residence and to avoid ponding of stormwater.

5.    Ensure no objects are placed against external walls which may effectively bridge the damp proof system of your residence and lead to damp issues inside your home.

From the FMG Engineering team.

CREATING WALKABLE COMMUNITIES

FMG Engineering, throughout its 40 years in business, has undertaken a number of urban renewal projects – more specifically, consulting for medium to high density living, café culture walkable communities.

Walkable communities encompass a sustainable living area, close to amenities and services and is created around the idea of minimising traffic with nearby access to transport lines.  

FMG Engineering recently completed this style of project in Barkley Street, Footscray called ‘Banbury Village,’ where the team was engaged by Cedar Woods’ to provide engineering services including housing and civil infrastructure.  

The former Olympic Tyre Factory, previously owned by Sir Frank Beaurepaire (now a well-known and respected name across the tyring industry within Australia) saw the $200 million project commence in 2009, with stages continuing to be rolled out. The village is now home to a selection of houses, apartments and townhouses – meeting varying price points and styles. 

As the previous industrial site housed a number of heritage style buildings, in order to maintain the aesthetic a significant amount of building restoration was required during the lifespan of the project. Two of the sites most prominent art deco buildings were also preserved during the process to showcase the previous history of the site.
The project, due to its size, was broken up into 17 stages with expected completion by end of 2016. FMG Engineering has been involved with the project, being bought in to consult on all 17 stages to deliver solutions and advice on the structural design of Banbury Village. The firm was also on site to provide consultation for three of the stages on the civil side of the project.

When building restoration is undertaken, regardless of if it’s on a small or large scale, you are always bound to encounter a series of considerations that need to be taken into account.

Aside from maintaining certain structures and buildings within the village, FMG Engineering had some issues to resolve including dealing with materials found in the soils, harsh interfaces and the need to meet and uphold community needs and expectations.

FMG Engineering Urban Projects Manager, Angelo Demangos said, the project came with a few considerations that needed to be taken into account.

“Most of the work FMG Engineering undertook was fairly straight forward as it essentially was lightweight framed structures built on concrete footings.”

"The most challenging part was being able to design a footing system that was suitable for the highly sensitive site.”

“We used a software program, which was developed by FMG Engineering, called Code Orientated Raft Design (CORD), to design the footings so that they were able to withstand a large amount of movement. Once the footings were established to meet these requirements, it was all smooth sailing.”

With its close proximity to the new West Footscray rail station, Banbury Village has the ability to provide a local community feeling while maintaining easy accessibility with a short trip to the CBD.

The vibrant new development brings a range of amenities and services to the doorstep of new residents with cafes, restaurants, markets, parks and more.

Banbury Village with its design and façade integrates seamlessly with its surrounds and to deliver a variety of housing options to meet all market expectations.

Cedar Woods’ Banbury Village won the Best Medium Density Development and a Commendation for Urban Renewal at the UDIA Victorian Awards – with an increase in these medium to high density developments, FMG Engineering continues to remain at the forefront of this work.

The Banbury Village project comes after recent successes as FMG Engineering undertook stage 1 of Bowden Urban Village, an upcoming medium to high density development in Adelaide, South Australia, further highlighting FMG Engineering’s expertise in this area.

Images by Banbury Village  

FMG ENGINEERING TAKES ON THE ULTIMATE CUBBY HOUSE CHALLENGE

The FMG Engineering housing department recently undertook and provided design advice for client Madisson Projects to create a cubby house designed for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The project, nicknamed the “Grubby”, was destined for auction at the annual show to raise awareness and funds for the hard working ‘Kids Under Cover’ charity. 

The team was excited by the prospect of such a seemingly ‘fun’ project but soon realised that small challenges do not necessarily mean simple.  The ambitious layout designed included landings, a cargo net level, a climbable peg board wall and ladders – all required to meet a tight budget and weight limit.  The dedicated team completed the finished product whilst meeting the brief with minimal compromises and was well received at the show.  FMG Engineering together with Madisson Projects raised a staggering $6,500 at auction which is the best result of all.

John Whitehead
FMG Engineering, Project Engineer – Urban Projects

AIR TIME

TUNE IN WITH FMG ENGINEERING

 

Have you missed out on any of our recent FMG Engineering interviews? You can still tune in through our website. Simply visit FMG Engineering at http://www.fmgengineering.com.au/ and check out our News and Media tab!

 

Want to ask a question? Feel free to leave a comment below and we'll get back to you. 

Image via Digital Trends

EXTREME WEATHER AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR HOME - PART II

This time we look at what you should do if mould is present in your home. Stay with us for the solutions and tricks to manage and eliminate mould.

What should you do if you detect mould?

The first step should be to identify and eliminate the source of moisture. In cases of flood it is important to ensure that drying out of the area is carried out as soon as possible as stated earlier, if not undertaken successfully within 48 hours it is likely that the onset mould growth has occurred.

In the event of a water leak, mould growth will be advanced but again, the first step is to eliminate the source of moisture. Prior to drying, great care should be taken to avoid moisture being left behind after the operation and it is strongly recommended that a de-humidifier is used constantly to draw out all trapped moisture.

Care should be taken during clean-up of the mould (face masks, protective gloves, ventilation) as mould in its “dead” state will continue to release spores into the atmosphere.

For small areas of mould growth on non-porous surfaces, it is recommended to use a non-ammonia soap or detergent on the entire area affected by mould.

To prevent the re-occurrence of mould, the surfaces should be disinfected with a solution of water and bleach and allow to dry naturally after application.

In the extensive cases of mould growth it is strongly recommended that a specialist contractor is contacted for further advice.

An extreme case of mould in a residential property

How do you prevent mould?

It is impossible to eliminate airborne mould. Scientists warn that living in an environment free from mould would be detrimental to our immunology systems as we need to be exposed to the mould to build immunity.

Following the prevention measures below will help to reduce airborne mould from your home.

·           Prevent humidity by opening windows for an hour daily

·           Prevent or eliminate leaks and treat water damage within 24-48 hours

·           Regularly clean places that accumulate humidity such as showers, taps and pipes and the associated floor areas

·           Limit carpets and plants in your home

·           Use air purifiers to reduce humidity

·          Porous materials such as wood, fabric, mattresses and carpets are likely to be contaminated in extreme events and are very difficult to clean. In the event that objects of this kind become contaminated, it is advised to dispose of them.

If you have a question on mould in your residential or commercial property, leave us a comment and we'll get back to you.
(Image via news.domain)

EXTREME WEATHER AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR HOME

Following recent unseasonal and extreme weather events in South Australia, FMG Engineering has experienced a significant increase in enquiries regarding dampness and mould in residential properties.

This year, February 13 and 14 produced rainfall totals not experienced since 1969 and have been recorded as the sixth wettest 24 hours since weather recording began in Adelaide in 1839.

As a result of the heavy rainfall many residential properties in the state experienced flooding and with flooding comes dampness and the potential for mould.

 

What is Mould?

Mould is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp decaying organic matter. There are many species of mould, some toxic and varying in colour and texture.

Mould needs three things to grow;

·     A source of moisture (flooding, leaking, pipes, showers or roofs, dampness from groundwater in cellars).

·     A source of food (organic matter such as paper, leaves, wood or dirt).

·     Moderate (warm) temperatures.

Most building surfaces can provide adequate nutrients to support the growth of mould. Moulds are small air borne organisms that can form and multiply quickly in ideal conditions within 24 hours. When mould is growing in a home large numbers of spores can be released into the air, be easily inhaled by the residents and may lead to health issues such as asthma.

How do you know if you have a mould problem?

Mould in many cases will be visible; however it is not always detected. In some cases, mould may be growing out of view behind walls or under floors. The following are indicators that may help to determine if mould is present.

·     Damp earthy or musty odours

·     Unusual clusters of spots on surfaces. Mould comes in many colours and can be white, black, grey-brown or green-grey.

·     Water stains or discolouration to walls, floors or ceilings may indicate mould growing behind or within a material.

·     Surface abnormalities such as peeling, cracking or bubbling of paint or wallpaper.

·     Surfaces of walls, ceilings and floors feeling damp.

Stay tuned for part 2 of dealing with mould in your home

(Adelaide Images via abc.net)

A CAREER IN ENGINEERING

FMG Engineering was invited to participate at this year’s University of South Australia’s careers fair, held at the Convention Centre in Adelaide.

Over 70 companies were represented on the day and it is always a great opportunity for FMG Engineering to network with similar businesses and operators.

Almost 1,000 students from various vocations attended on the day with the FMG Engineering booth kept busy fielding all manner of questions.  Apart from myself, James Cibich and Anthony Hogg helped run the FMG Engineering booth and answered any questions.  Both James and Anthony completed their work experience with FMG Engineering and then went on to be offered full time employment, so their “real life” experience of what to expect as a graduate engineer and their experience at FMG was invaluable feedback to budding engineers on the day.   

Apart from giving the students an opportunity to ask specific questions about FMG Engineering or anything else industry related, we also provided students with work experience information, applications for graduate work experience and the most appreciated gift of all, an FMG Engineering stubby holder.

Operations Manager - Housing Division, Sean Gibbs
FMG Engineering

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Keeping and attracting the very best talent in the industry is always a tough ask for any employer. With so many competitors in the engineering industry, what makes one firm stand out from another?

"It’s all about creating that point of difference and providing a supportive and attractive work environment."

 

FMG Engineering has been operating for over 40 years and during this time there has been a series of changes including a change of name, the appointment of our new General Manager and the merger with Victorian based engineering firm Burns Hamilton and Partners.

Change can sometimes cause disruption in the workplace but with a few team building exercises and skills training, we have been able to create a workplace that not only invites talent, but also nurtures it.

During the middle of last year, FMG Engineering implemented the Professional Development Program, a voluntary program for our staff members to take part in.

This program is an initiative run through the national body Engineers Australia that assists to support employees in the industry with further career development and the ability to undertake the chartered engineering process.

The program is something that we approached Engineers Australia about adopting into the FMG workplace in order to provide our staff across our South Australian and Melbourne offices with the most up to date skills training. It’s part of our commitment to upholding the highest standards of practice within the workplace.

Employees are able to complete the 16 module course training in their own time with the support of both online and offline references with study groups, mentors and work assistance. We ensure that the projects we undertake as a firm are able to support the criteria involved in the course so engineers continue to work while they finish the additional training. It’s all about challenging and applying themselves to improve their abilities, which can only strengthen the engineering industry as a whole.

Some of our employees have been with FMG since the beginning of the company and have just seen us through our 40^th Anniversary celebration which is an incredible achievement in this day and age. As employees tend to move around more regularly in the current market, FMG values each staff member and their skills and knowledge that they bring to the team. Through further education for our staff, we continue to provide experience, passionate staff and the best services and expertise to our clients.

So, the question is – are you getting the most out of your employer?

Chief Operating Officer, Matthew Loftes
FMG Engineering

ENGINEERS ON THE MOVE

FMG ENGINEERING OFFERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYEES.

 

Did you miss our feature in the Careers lift out (The Advertiser, Saturday 15 March)? Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on how FMG Engineering offers and encourages employees to further develop their skills with additional industry training and support through the Professional Development Program. 

 

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

 

 

Describe FMG Engineering incorporating Burns Hamilton in one sentence:

FMG Engineering incorporating Burns Hamilton is a medium sized multi-disciplinary engineering company operating in the end to end services marketplace in Victoria and South Australia.

What are the three areas of expertise at FMG Engineering?

Our expertise are in the following three areas:

Urban renewal (commercial pools, commercial buildings, medium and high rise residential, forensic and environmental engineering)

Urban development (educational, sporting and leisure, housing land development, stormwater and water sensitive urban design, health and retirement living)

Industrial development (industrial infrastructure and buildings, materials handling, remediation, retail and process and manufacturing)

How does FMG Engineering differ to other engineering consultancies in the market?

By providing end to end services under one management model and risk framework we can deliver high level holistic strategic advice to our clients, across a full range of engineering disciplines. At the same time we can also offer the full range of operational services of our standard small to medium sized engineering competitors, which means our clients benefit from our big company services at small company prices!

FMG Engineering has recently merged with Burns Hamilton and Partners – what benefit does this bring to your clients?

Happily the customer focused culture I have referred to is so important to us and was what interested us so much about Burns Hamilton; their values were a good match for ours and it was backed up by their excellent reputation in the structural and civil engineering marketplace here in Melbourne. The merger provided greater richness and reach for FMG Engineering Victorian office’s structural and civil engineering services and an enhanced structure for Burns Hamilton to move forward into the future. Significantly it provided clients of both companies with the benefits of a larger and more diversified skill base.

What upcoming projects in Melbourne do you find interesting and why?

Melbourne has some really exciting infrastructure projects on the radar. Webb Dock (Port of Melbourne Authority) the East/West Link (Linking Melbourne Authority) and the expansion of the Melbourne Airport project means billions of dollars of construction projects are coming onto the market. We can participate in these ground breaking projects as part of the bidding consortia, or work on the flow projects for medium sized companies such as ours, so the future looks very positive. Certainly we are of the view that infrastructure is on the agenda for local, state and federal governments.

Your background is in the property industry – how has this strengthened your knowledge for the engineering industry?

The property sector is a quirky industry; one that operates on long term lead-times and short term expectations. In this landscape consulting firms need to be innovative, agile and flexible to meet changing client needs. I have worked both sides of the desk; as a property client and property consultant in a number of different roles. What I’ve learned is to listen to whatever it is that clients care most about. This is the customer focused service culture I have cultivated within the team at FMG Engineering incorporating Burns Hamilton.

What key areas in Melbourne do you see changing in the next 5-10 years?

Australia cannot afford to have underutilised assets in our cities, towns and regional centres. With the development of the Port of Hastings regional centres and towns, such as Frankston, Hastings and Flinders appear to be ripe for expansion, as do other areas such as Dandenong and the whole Docklands/Fisherman’s Bend region. The pattern of mixed development, that of housing, commercial and retail growth is for medium to high density living along the main transport boulevards with lower density moving further out from the transport hubs. In all cases new development initiatives will support affordable and sustainable construction types

What’s the best thing about your role at FMG Engineering?

I love working here in FMG’s Melbourne office. We have strong work culture based on value adding engineering and problem solving with a great diverse team. It’s not difficult to look after people who are passionate about what they do! We have a very strong team based ethos and a shared understanding of what we have to do and be to achieve our long term goals. I’m happy to be part of that journey!