Coles Boorooma Shopping Plaza

Builder: Mainbrace Constructions
Fire Protection System: FireMaster Plus Fire Curtains
Scope: Manufacture, Supply and Installation

Project Overview

Coles Boorooma Shopping Plaza was designed to provide a modern retail experience for the growing Wagga Wagga region. The development integrates a full-line Coles supermarket with multiple specialty tenancies, back-of-house service corridors, and high-traffic public zones. From the outset, the architectural concept focused on creating open, connected spaces that allowed natural light and visibility between different parts of the building. However, this openness presented a significant challenge from a fire safety perspective. Traditional compartmentation methods using fixed fire walls or doors would have compromised the desired spatial continuity. The project’s fire engineers therefore adopted a performance-based fire engineering approach, enabling a more flexible design while maintaining strict compliance with the Building Code of Australia. To meet the required fire separation objectives within this framework, Greene Fire was engaged to supply and install FireMaster Plus fire curtains, an innovative, deployable barrier system capable of providing fire resistance equivalent to traditional fixed separations, while remaining concealed during normal building operation.

Engineering Requirements

The Fire Engineering Report for Coles Boorooma established performance criteria based on occupant safety, fire spread limitation, and maintenance of tenable conditions during egress. Computational modelling and time-temperature analyses identified several key openings where compartmentation needed to be achieved without obstructing circulation or visual openness. These openings were located at key interfaces between the main retail floor, loading dock accessways, and back-of-house service corridors. The analysis determined that a fire curtain system with a minimum integrity rating consistent with the surrounding structure was required to ensure the design met the fire safety verification methods referenced in the NCC. Greene Fire’s engineering team worked closely with Mainbrace and the project’s fire engineers to interpret these requirements into a fully coordinated system design. This included developing detailed shop drawings, assessing fixings and structural loads, and ensuring that all installation details aligned with the curtain’s fire-tested configuration and certification.

The FireMaster Plus Solution

The FireMaster Plus fire curtain is a gravity-fail-safe system that deploys automatically upon receipt of a signal from the building’s fire detection and alarm system. At Coles Boorooma, this system provided the flexibility and reliability necessary for a high-traffic retail environment. During everyday operation, the curtains remain discreetly recessed within the ceiling cavity, preserving the architectural aesthetic and open feel of the space. When activated, the curtain descends to form a continuous fire-resistant barrier, preventing fire and smoke from spreading between compartments. Each curtain was configured to integrate seamlessly with the building’s electrical and control systems, allowing synchronised deployment with other fire safety mechanisms such as smoke exhaust fans, emergency lighting, and occupant warning systems. The Fire engineering report indicated that the fire curtains shall achieve a tested FRL of -/120/- and shall achieve insulative properties such that the unexposed side of the fire curtain shall be maintained at less than 12 kW/m2 for at least 120 minutes under the AS1530.4 fire test. The FireMaster Plus system’s fabric, provided proven performance for integrity and insulation, withstanding elevated temperatures and maintaining structural stability throughout the designated fire exposure period each curtain was also fitted with 2 warning lights.

Design Integration and Coordination

The installation phase demanded close coordination between multiple trades, including ceiling contractors, electrical integrators, and fire engineers. Greene Fire’s installation team ensured that all mechanical fixings, headbox placements, and side guides were aligned with the approved shop drawings and compatible with the ceiling and wall assemblies. Given the complexity of the site and the strict construction schedule, Greene Fire adopted a staged installation approach. Each curtain was installed, wired, and partially commissioned in sequence to ensure that the builder could maintain access for other finishing works. The installation methodology also considered accessibility for future maintenance and testing, aligning with ongoing compliance requirements under AS1851 for fire protection systems. Comprehensive testing and commissioning were conducted upon completion. This process included verification of curtain drop speed, full deployment tests, control interface validation, and coordination checks with the building’s fire panel. Certificates of compliance and test documentation were submitted as part of the final handover package to Mainbrace and the fire safety engineer.

Engineering Outcome

The completed fire curtain installation at Coles Boorooma Shopping Plaza provides an intelligent and effective passive fire protection solution that supports both the architectural and engineering intent of the building. By combining advanced materials technology with a performance-based engineering design, Greene Fire delivered a system that achieves full compartmentation only when required, ensuring maximum flexibility and safety. This outcome demonstrates how deployable fire curtain systems can successfully replace conventional barriers in complex retail developments. The solution at Coles Boorooma allows open circulation areas to remain unobstructed during normal operation while ensuring that, in the event of a fire, critical separations are formed within seconds to contain the spread and protect occupants.

Conclusion

Greene Fire’s involvement in the Coles Boorooma Shopping Plaza project exemplifies its capability to engineer, supply, and install tailored fire protection systems that meet rigorous compliance standards without compromising design intent. Through precise coordination with Mainbrace Constructions and the fire engineering team, Greene Fire delivered a high-performance FireMaster Plus curtain solution that integrates seamlessly into the building’s architecture. The project stands as a model of how advanced fire engineering principles and responsive, innovative fire protection technologies can be used to enhance both safety and design flexibility in contemporary commercial developments.