Contego redefines passive fire protection with Cadpro and Autodesk Build

Challenge

Contego is a specialist in passive fire protection, committed to raising industry standards. With increasing attention on passive fire prevention from architects, fire engineers, building owners and councils, the company combines technical expertise with enhanced design capabilities to deliver best-practice solutions.

In an industry where seamless integration with other building elements, stakeholder collaboration and transparency are essential, the right software is critical. Since its establishment in 2016, Contego has experienced rapid growth, leading to larger, more complex projects with increasingly demanding client requirements. To meet these needs and sustain expansion, the company recognised the need to upgrade its construction software platform.

‘There were a number of options out there,’ says Contego Managing Director Justin McEntyre. ‘The challenge for us was finding a solution that met our specific needs. It was also complicated by the fact that many key providers were large international companies with limited knowledge of the New Zealand market. A major criteria for us was finding a partner who understood our business and our market, could help us identify the best solution, and provide the level of support we needed to succeed.’

Project goals

Winning the contract to provide passive fire protection services for the new Dunedin Hospital Outpatient facility was a key catalyst for exploring a new software platform.

‘The scale and complexity of the project required us to produce a range of deliverables for multiple stakeholders including architects, the head contractor, fire engineers, Health New Zealand and the council,’ says McEntyre. ‘For example, pre-project modelling to feed into Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems, detailed documentation such as QA records, and the ability to exchange information transparency with architects, fire consultants and others.’

‘There’s a huge level of documentation required for projects like these,’ says McEntyre, ‘not just in the planning stage but throughout the project. Around 30% of the team’s time on-site is spent on documentation – recording notes and photos, using BIM models and drawings, and more. We needed a system to streamline that process and ensure transparency for all involved.

‘But our approach goes beyond compliance. We aim to lift the game when it comes to passive fire protection. That’s why we also wanted a system that would extend our capabilities and allow us to deliver more value to clients, such as the ability to import 3D models.’

Solution

Choosing Cadpro and Autodesk Build was a straightforward decision, says McEntyre. ‘Autodesk is the global leader in the CAD and BIM space, and Autodesk Build is a proven solution used by construction teams worldwide. Crucially for us, Cadpro knows the New Zealand market and has a deep knowledge of the New Zealand building industry.’

The implementation began with Cadpro working closely with Contego to help them explore what was possible with the software, and how they could make the best use of it in their business. Once scoping was complete, Cadpro helped determine requirements, including the number of users. A training plan was developed, with Cadpro spending three days onsite to implement the software and train a group of in-house ‘champions’ responsible for mentoring other staff members.

Cadpro also helped with the transition from the previous system, providing ‘pastoral care’ while the new system was established and to deal with any teething issues.

The Autodesk Build platform was implemented prior to the start of the Dunedin Hospital Outpatient project and has been used successfully throughout.

‘Having that level of support from Cadpro was invaluable,’ says McEntyre. ‘It gave us confidence that we could meet the demands of a large, high-profile project.’