The Karla Katitjin Bushfire Centre for Excellence is a state-of-the-art education hub located in the Peel Business Park in the Western Australian Shire of Murray. The Nyungar names Karla, meaning fire, and Katitjin, meaning knowledge, were given by the Bindjareb community.
With a focus on traditional fire practices of Aboriginal Australians, the centre is a collaborative hub for bushfire personnel to research, learn and train in new methods of bushfire management.
Dulux® Protective Coatings provided a three-coat system to maintain the durability of this facility, so that it may help protect Perth and the wider Australian community for many years to come.
A trio of proven products from our core range
Our team, led by WA Business Development Executive Nathan Hines, were engaged to protect all structural steel, on both the interior and exterior of the facility.
“It was a case of true collaboration as we partnered with the project’s multiple stakeholders including architects SITE Architecture Studio, applicators MBlast, fabricators Hot Weld Fabrication and builders Perkins Builders,” Nathan said.
“When it came to product selection and application, the team at MBlast had a tried and tested system in mind to support the high volume, quick throughput of steel.”
The following three-coat system was applied using airless spray:
- Primer: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 at 75-microns (µm)
- Second coat: Dulux® Duremax® GPE at 200-microns (µm)
- Topcoat: Dulux® Weathermax® HBR at 100-microns (µm)
Quality protection, applied at speed
On a highly-visible government project such as this, sticking to deadline is key. Our coatings system needed to be effective and efficient – keeping things moving without sacrificing quality or design.
For every coat, we selected a product that offered both easy application and quick drying.
- Priming coat Zincanode 402 is a rapid dry formula that has no need to mist coat – saving applicators ample time. A tough and versatile coating, it is also very low maintenance, with high levels of zinc providing long-term corrosion resistance.
- Second coat Duremax GPE is an industry favourite, compatible with Fast Cure and Quickturn Hardeners that allow fast shop throughput and project completion, all-year round.
- Finally, applying Weathermax Accelerator to the Dulux® Weathermax® HBR topcoat ensured fast dry times, while still maintaining the rich, long-lasting colour that the product is known for. Weathermax HBR also offers premium UV protection – a must for any structure in WA’s year-round sunshine.
Extended protection for an Australian-first facility
Sealed and protected with durable coatings, this world-class facility is expected to maintain a fresh appearance for 25+ years in accordance with AS 2312.1 Table 6.3.
Along with their fast and efficient application, all three products were selected as they provide long-term protection and an extended maintenance cycle.
The opening of this facility is expected to bridge gaps in bushfire management throughout Australia, and perhaps worldwide. As noted by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan at the centre’s opening, "The impact of the centre's work will be felt both here in WA and across Australia, and I anticipate the Bushfire Centre of Excellence will become an internationally renowned hub for bushfire management learning and skills development.”
