Brisbane based start-up Plus Systems (Plus Passive Fire), is the only exclusively passive fire protection company to make the Australian Financial Review’s Fast Starters list. Having grown 27% in the last financial year increasing revenue to $1.76m, that makes Plus one of the fastest growing new businesses in Australia.

Over the last year, Plus Systems was able to work with Tom Dooley Developments by providing our third-party certification service “The Plus Approach” as they undertook the construction of Gasworks Residences, standing at 16 stories with almost 200 units.

Typically a professional in passive fire could be similar to a building certifier but specialising, or a very experienced construction manager or builder. However, there is the opportunity for professionals of the future, as there are many facets to this industry offering excellent education, mentors, and business skills

When the construction industry comes to mind you might think strong or steadfast, but the word innovation rarely springs to mind. Whilst there are countless industries that are coming forward in leaps and bounds, for the most part, the construction industry apparently doesn’t match the trend, even more so in the passive fire industry.

With passive fire supposedly now accounting for around 2 – 4% of a building’s construction, and figures at around 30 – 40% of all litigation in construction, it’s not just an add on to a trade anymore.

The passive fire industry has been pushing to remind building managers of the importance of passive fire compliance for some time now, and yet even with the legal requirements this often is misunderstood or ignored.

Recently we took part in a build and burn demonstration at Resolute Laboratories, where we ran a simulated AS1530.4 fire test. It was fantastic to see firsthand what kicks in to protect property in a fire from some of the most commonly seen passive fire products.