Project DescriptionAs part of its long-term redevelopment strategy for Brisbane Showgrounds, The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) wanted to refurbish its Heritage-listed Industrial Pavillion into a modern, world class exhibition and convention centre. The redevelopment required the retention of the facade along Gregory Terrace and along the main oval frontage as well as incorporating a multi-functional, multi-level facility.

Design challengesThe challenge that faced design engineers was how to drain an elevated exhibition floor with “a 5000 square metre footprint and maintain fall in less than 250mm under the slab.” The client required a car and truck parking facility and could not afford the height loss to drain the exhibition floor services pits by conventional gravity drainage.

Why was vacuum a solution? The drainage pits needed to be throughout the exhibition hall on a 12×12 metre grid allowing for practical use of the exhibition floor. As vacuum drainage enables the pipework to step up it maintained the height requirements for the car park and also enabled the drainage to be easily routed around fire and electrical services.

Using electronic controls, the system can be dynamically adjusted to deal with different conditions and waste types.