Boiler House
The boiler house—connecting the ‘A’ and ‘C’ Stations—measured 40 metres long, 21.3 metres wide and 17.7 metres high to the roof gutter level. It was constructed with a self-supporting steel frame, typical of industrial buildings from the early 20th century.
Rolled Steel Joists
The structural framework used Rolled Steel Joists (RSJs) spaced in 4.6-metre-long bays. RSJs are a type of steel section commonly used as vertical columns to transfer the weight of the structure down to its foundations. They provided strength and load-bearing capacity while remaining relatively lightweight compared to other materials.
Being made of steel, RSJs also offered resistance to rot, fire, and pests, making them a durable choice for industrial construction.
Wall Bracing
This was another important element of the power station’s structural design. Its primary role was to resist horizontal forces, such as wind or seismic activity but in the context of the power station, it was essential to prevent the tall steel-framed walls from deforming, leaning, or collapsing under lateral stress. This type of bracing effectively tied the roof and walls to the ground, ensuring the overall stability of the structure—a technique common in both industrial and residential construction.
Boiler House wall bracing support
Gable Ends and Roof Design
The boiler house featured a pitched roof with gable ends, a typical design in industrial architecture of the time that served both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Gable ends helped distribute the weight of the roof evenly onto the supporting walls, which was especially important given the heavy internal equipment and wide roof spans. The pitched design also prevented water from pooling, reducing the risk of leaks or structural damage during heavy rainfall.
Because the boiler house operated at extremely high temperatures, burning coal (and later oil) to power large water-tube boilers, it was built with an apexed roof to assist with natural ventilation. Hot air would rise and exit through vents or windows at the top, improving airflow and operational efficiency.
1992 Safety Inspection
In November 1992, Kinhill Engineers Pty Ltd was commissioned by the State Energy Commission of Western Australia (SECWA) to assess the structural safety of the boiler house walls.
(Note: Kinhill was later acquired by Brown & Root Inc. in 1997, eventually becoming part of Kellogg, Brown & Root in 2000.)
The inspection revealed significant structural deterioration, particularly due to the removal of boilers and widespread asbestos contamination, which left many structural components unsupported or exposed:
Station B
• Several upper column sections and a horizontal wind girder above the fan floor had been removed.
• At least one remaining wind girder was damaged during the boiler’s removal.
(A wind girder is a horizontal steel element that stabilises tall, thin walls against wind pressure.)
Station C
• Portions of roof sheeting and roof cross-bracing were missing.
• Two south gable end walls lacked intermediate lateral support.
Basement Level
• Severe corrosion was evident in both the bracing and columns.
Boiler House Walls
• All station walls were found to be in urgent need of repair.
• Structural integrity was compromised by concrete cancer, spalling, and damaged concrete.
• Areas of unprotected steel were corroding, raising concerns about long-term safety, although not at risk of an imminent collapse.
Roof
• The soffit (the underside section between the outer roof edge and wall) had large areas of exposed, heavily corroded reinforcement. It was deemed unsafe and required repair or replacement.
Demolition and Legacy
Between 1995 and 2000, most of the boiler house was demolished, leaving only the skeletal south wall visible today.
Reference
Kinhill Engineers Pty Ltd (November 1992). East Perth Power Station Safety Report – Boiler House Walls. Document No. PE208.S.DO.001.
