CAPABILITY STATEMENT

HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT AND BLAST PROOF DESIGN

INTRODUCTION:

Vistek PDS (Protective Design Services) is our specialised service

delivery arm that provides design services for structures subjected to
blast loads. We work with our clients to provide efficient structural
and HVAC solutions that ensure the safety of personnel and critical
infrastructure in hazardous environments.
We are a pre-qualified contractor to the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade as blast design experts. We have presented papers
at international and local conferences and are members of the peak
research international research group FABIG (Fire and Blast Interest
Group).

PROJECTS:
New Laboratory BP Refinery Kwinana WA (COMMERCIAL)
A single storey building located in the hazardous zone of the refinery
two design proposals were developed as a result of relocations of the
structure in the refinery site.
Our unique design approach for the roof system provided an
uninterrupted floor space ensuring efficiency, safety and aesthetics in
the main work area.
Vistek PDS also provided design services for the HVAC, plumbing,
electrical and safety alarm systems.
The design incorporated many conventional construction methods such
as cold form steel roof framing and pre-cast panel walls.
Site Offices Chevron Wheatstone LNG Plant WA (INDUSTRIAL)
Structural engineers for the manufacture of approx $80 million in blast
resistant modular site facilities. Vistek PDS worked closely with ATCO
Figure 1 Santos BRM - Moomba SA
structures to develop structural systems for the rapid erection of site
facilities based on steel stud systems resilient enough to resist peak pressures up to 19 kPa. This
approach for the structure was an Australian first and passed the approval of Arup (London),
Chevron (Houston) and Bechtel (Houston) design checks.
Blast Review for Existing Structures Woodside North Rankin A Platform, WA (INDUSTRIAL)
Review of existing blast attenuating structures for compliance with current design criteria and
structural advisory services for accommodation module upgrades.
Mashrieb Qatar Doha Redevelopment (RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL)
Design of post tensioned transfer beams supporting 12 storey retail/residential complex for
resistance from terrorist attack up to maximum 29.08 mPa peak overpressure. Vistek developed an
analysis approach from first principals which reduced the turn-around time for the review of beams
to two working days.
Detail of this work was presented at the 2012 Safeguarding Australia Blast Design and Modelling
Forum and was reviewed and approved by Burns & McDonnell (Houston).

Figure 2 Aerial Image of BP Kwinana Laboratory Under Construction (Far Left)

KEY PERSONNEL:
Dr. Valdis Svars Company Director

Suresh Hada Principal Structural Engineer

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne

Master in Eng. Science, University of Melbourne

Bachelor of Eng. (Civil), University of Melbourne

Master in Business Administration, 1994 Tribhuvan

University, Nepal

Fellowship Diploma RMIT

Graeme Best Senior Engineer Building

Services
DIP. ENG (MECH), PENG, MSAE, MAIRAH

RBP Mechanical Engineer - EM1352

Chartered Professional Engineer (CP Eng)

Bachelor Degree in Civil Eng., 1987.

FIEAust

Chartered Professional Engineer (CP Eng)

American Society of Civil Engineers

MIEAust

(Specialist in Building Services in Hazardous

Environments)

(Specialist in Blast and Earthquake Resistant

Design)

DESIGN CAPABILITIES:

Structural design in accordance with US Military (Unified Facilities Criteria) and American
Petroleum Industry design procedures and practices (AS 41088, Design of Blast Resistant
Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities).
Specialist computer design applications to model the behaviour of structural elements under
blast loads including, hot-rolled steel, stainless steel, cold-formed steel and concrete.
Plastic design methodologies for the efficient design of steel structures in accordance with
current practice in relation to blast design.
Design of concrete structures (in-situ and precast) subjected to blast loads.
Membership to FABIG (Fire and Blast Interest Group) provides information on current best
practice for multi-discipline design approaches.
Coordination of specialist subcontractors for structural elements such as blast doors and
windows.
Building services for hazardous environments including HVAC, plumbing, electrical and
safety alarm systems required to operate after being subject to blast loads or in the
presence of hazardous gases.
Commissioning and coordination of reports to determine design criteria.
Commissioning of detailed modelling or physical testing to develop design solutions.

CONFERENCE PAPERS:
2012 Safeguarding Australia Blast Design and Modelling Forum for Practitioner and Researches
Canberra Australia. Basement Car Park Design for Blast Loads.
2006 Protection of Structures Against Hazards, Venice Italy Review of existing offshore platform
modules for blast loads in the light of current design and safety recommendations.
2005 Recent advances in counter-terrorism technology and infrastructure protection, Canberra
Australia Recent developments in control room and infrastructure protection