David James

David is the managing director of the Practice, having been involved in Fire Engineering design since the inception of the modern New Zealand Fire Code in 1993. He has a structural engineering background and so is able, where appropriate, to provide Fire Engineered design hand in hand with the appropriate structural solution.

David has significant experience with successful projects in all areas from small domestic to large commercial, from single storey through to high rise, multi-million dollar function centres, mall and supermarket developments and health facilities to mention a few...

Qualifications

B.E. (Hons) - University of Canterbury 1987
M.I.P.E.N.Z. - Registered Engineer 1992

Specialist Skills

• Fire Engineering
• Egress Design
• Smoke Control analysis
• Fire Reports for Building Consents
• Pre-Purchase reports
  

Interests

Keen mountain biker. Actively involved with his local church. Enjoys water skiing and family time with his wife and 3 children.

Work Examples

Christchurch Women's Hospital

Fire Safety design of a $65 million hospital. The fire safety systems required by the Building Code's Acceptable Solutions would have incurred significant construction cost. Powell Fenwick's engineered design however, saved many thousands of dollars of construction cost and has resulted in a fire safety system that is both user-friendly and easily managed.

Terrace on the Park

Fire Safety design of an apartment complex comprising 4 multi-storied towers plus a basement carpark. Powell Fenwick's fire engineered design allowed each of the towers to include only a single stair, rather than the two stairs required by the Acceptable Solutions.

QEII Park Pools Redevelopment

Fire Safety design for a $20 million refurbishment of this Christchurch landmark. Powell Fenwick's fire safety design allowed for the entire building to be considered as one single fire compartment, allowing freedom in the architectural planning of the internal spaces, without the need for unwanted fire doors and fire separations.

Christchurch Law Courts

Construction cost savings of $75,000 plus on-going maintenance cost savings were a direct result of Powell Fenwick's lateral thinking and careful consideration of how the building is used by the judges, prisoners and public. Powell Fenwick's solution is a much more user friendly, inexpensive fire safety system.