Project Overview

101–105 Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale NSW Greene Fire was selected to provide a FireMaster Fire Curtain system as part of the fire engineering strategy for the new industrial development at 101–105 Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale. The project comprises a multi-level industrial facility incorporating warehouse units, basement storage areas, vehicle circulation spaces and office mezzanines within a Type A construction building. The development required a sophisticated fire safety approach to satisfy the performance requirements outlined within the Fire Engineering Report while preserving the operational functionality of the building. A key component of the fire strategy involved maintaining effective fire compartmentation within the basement level without introducing permanent barriers that would impact vehicle access, circulation routes or the flexibility of the space.

The Fire Engineering Challenge

As part of the performance-based design, the basement level was required to be divided into separate fire compartments to limit the spread of fire and smoke between adjoining areas. Traditional fire-rated walls and doors can often create constraints within industrial environments where access and circulation are critical to daily operations. The project team therefore required a solution capable of providing the required fire separation while maintaining unobstructed movement throughout the basement. The Fire Engineering Report identified the need for automatic fire separation systems that could integrate with the building's overall fire safety strategy. The solution needed to work in conjunction with the building's fire detection and alarm systems while supporting the broader compartmentation objectives of the development. Maintaining clear circulation spaces and operational efficiency was considered a key requirement throughout the design process.

The Greene Fire Solution

To address these challenges, Greene Fire supplied and installed a FireMaster Fire Curtain system specifically designed to provide automatic fire separation between designated compartments. The FireMaster Fire Curtain was selected for its ability to deliver a tested fire-resistant barrier while remaining fully concealed during normal operation. Unlike traditional passive fire protection systems, the FireMaster allows large openings to remain unobstructed during everyday use. This enables unrestricted movement of vehicles, equipment and occupants through the basement circulation areas while ensuring that a fire-resistant barrier can be rapidly deployed when required. Upon activation of the building's fire alarm system, the curtain automatically descends to create a fire compartment boundary. By forming a physical barrier across the opening, the system assists in restricting the movement of fire and smoke between adjoining spaces and supports the fire engineering objectives established for the development.

Integrated Warning Systems

An important aspect of the installation was the incorporation of visual warning devices adjacent to the fire curtain opening. Greene Fire provided warning lights that activate during fire curtain operation, creating a highly visible indication that the system is deploying. In industrial environments where vehicle movement and operational activities are constantly occurring, visual notification systems play a critical role in occupant awareness. The warning lights provide clear indication that the opening is transitioning from an access route to a fire separation barrier, assisting occupants in recognising changes within the building during an emergency event. The warning system forms part of the overall fire safety sequence and operates in conjunction with the building’s occupant warning system, ensuring a coordinated response during a fire event.

Supporting the Performance Solution

The FireMaster installation formed a key component of the project’s performance-based fire engineering solution. The curtain was integrated with the building’s active fire protection systems and designed to operate as part of the wider emergency response strategy adopted for the development. The fire engineering approach relied upon a combination of automatic fire detection, occupant warning systems, compartmentation measures and supplementary fire protection systems to achieve the required level of life safety and property protection. Through seamless integration with these systems, the FireMaster contributes to the overall resilience of the building’s fire safety design. The concealed nature of the system also provided significant design advantages. By eliminating the need for permanent fire-rated construction across large openings, the project team was able to maximise the functionality of the basement circulation spaces while maintaining compliance with the fire engineering requirements.

Installation and Coordination

The successful delivery of the FireMaster system required close coordination between Greene Fire, the project team and other fire services contractors. Particular attention was given to the interface between the fire curtain, warning systems and the building fire alarm infrastructure to ensure reliable operation during emergency conditions. As with all Greene Fire installations, the system was delivered with a focus on long-term reliability, maintainability and compliance. The completed installation provides a robust fire protection solution capable of supporting the operational requirements of the building while meeting the performance objectives established during the design phase.

Project Outcome

The completed FireMaster Fire Curtain installation at 101–105 Old Pittwater Road demonstrates how modern fire curtain technology can be successfully integrated into complex industrial developments. By combining automatic deployment, concealed design and integrated warning systems, Greene Fire delivered a solution that satisfies stringent fire engineering requirements without compromising the functionality of the building. The project highlights the growing role of performance-based fire protection systems in contemporary construction, where flexibility, compliance and occupant safety must work together. Through the implementation of the FireMaster Fire Curtain, Greene Fire provided an engineered fire separation solution that supports the overall fire strategy while preserving the open and efficient operation of the development for years to come.