Introduction

Client: Westfields Location: Liverpool, NSW Fire Engineer: Stephen Grubits & Associates The Westfield Liverpool project involved addressing critical fire safety upgrades in an existing large-scale, mixed-use complex in Liverpool, NSW. With a combination of retail spaces, cinemas, and multi-level parking facilities, the site required innovative solutions to meet the stringent requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The ageing fire safety systems, particularly the smoke curtains, had reached the end of their lifespan and required modernisation to ensure continued occupant safety. Stephen Grubits & Associates led the effort to create a fire safety strategy that revitalised the complex’s systems while maintaining operational functionality.

The Challenge

The fire safety challenges arose from the need to upgrade outdated systems without disrupting daily operations. The existing smoke curtains, originally installed to provide critical fire and smoke containment, no longer met modern standards and needed replacement. Ensuring effective fire-resistant separations between old and new portions of the building was essential to maintain safety across the complex. The upgrades had to balance operational continuity, cost-effectiveness, and the implementation of cutting-edge fire safety technologies.

The Solution

A key aspect of the fire safety upgrade was the replacement of the ageing smoke curtains with advanced Greene Fire’s FireMaster Plus curtains. These Australian-engineered curtains are made of woven stainless steel reinforced glass fibre with a reflective coating, offering exceptional smoke and fire containment and fire retardation. The free end of the barrier is secured to a weighted bottom bar, which provides horizontal rigidity between side retention channels. This design keeps the fabric in the vertical plane when deployed and ensures it is wound tightly onto its tube when retracted. These updated curtains were seamlessly integrated into the building’s fire safety systems, ensuring reliable deployment and enhanced containment capabilities. Existing fire-resistant walls were assessed and reinforced where necessary to meet an FRL of 120/120/120. Fire-door functionality was also enhanced to comply with Australian standards, ensuring the entire system adhered to modern safety requirements. Egress pathways were carefully evaluated to ensure they remained effective following the upgrades. The pathways provided a total aggregate egress width of 28m, allowing for the rapid and safe evacuation of over 11,000 occupants. Additional measures, such as compliance with open-deck car park requirements and the installation of drencher protection for glazing, further enhanced fire prevention measures across the complex.

Results

The fire safety upgrades, anchored by the new Greene Fire’s FireMaster Plus curtains, delivered impressive results. The modernised systems ensured safe evacuation for over 11,000 occupants, even under extreme fire scenarios. By meeting BCA performance requirements CP1, CP2, CP9, DP4, DP5, DP6, and EP2.2, the project validated the effectiveness of the upgrades. Evacuation efficiency was maintained through improved zoned smoke management, while the updated fire curtains added a critical layer of containment and reliability. The elimination of outdated systems and integration of advanced technologies demonstrated the long-term benefits of proactive fire safety management.

Conclusion

The Westfield Liverpool project serves as a benchmark for the modernisation of fire safety systems in large-scale commercial complexes. The inclusion of Greene Fire FireMaster Plus curtains exemplified how cutting-edge Australian technology can elevate safety standards while meeting stringent compliance requirements. By balancing innovative upgrades with operational continuity, the project underscored the importance of regular system assessments and timely interventions. These lessons highlight the value of adopting performance-based approaches to fire safety, ensuring occupant protection and operational excellence for years to come.

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