Project Overview

Herbert Smith Freehills Fitout – 360 Queen Street, Brisbane Greene Fire was engaged by Buildcorp to supply and install a FireMaster PLUS Concertina Fire Curtain as part of the premium office fitout for Herbert Smith Freehills at 360 Queen Street, Brisbane. Located across Levels 31 to 33 of Brisbane's landmark 36-storey commercial tower, the fitout introduced a new interconnected workplace environment designed to encourage collaboration and connectivity between floors. The architectural vision incorporated a feature interconnecting stair linking three consecutive office levels. While this arrangement enhanced workplace functionality and user experience, it also introduced a significant fire engineering challenge due to the National Construction Code restrictions relating to non-fire-isolated stairs connecting more than two storeys.

The Fire Engineering Challenge

The tenancy design incorporated a non-required circulation stair extending from Level 31 through to Level 33. Under the Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions of the NCC, non-fire-isolated stairs are generally limited to connecting no more than two consecutive storeys above ground level. To achieve the desired open-plan architectural outcome while maintaining compliance with the project's Fire Engineering Report, a Performance Solution was developed requiring fire separation at the uppermost level of the interconnecting stair. The solution needed to effectively limit the spread of fire and smoke between floors, maintain occupant safety during evacuation and support fire brigade intervention in the event of an emergency.

Greene Fire's Solution

Greene Fire delivered a custom engineered FireMaster PLUS Concertina Fire Curtain to provide automatic fire separation around the stair opening on Level 33. Measuring approximately 7.38 metres by 5.79 metres with a drop of 2.8 metres, the concertina configuration enabled the large, irregular opening to be protected without compromising the architectural intent of the space. The FireMaster PLUS system was selected due to its ability to achieve an FRL of -/120/- while remaining concealed within the ceiling void during normal building operation. In fire mode, the curtain automatically deploys to create a robust fire and smoke barrier, effectively separating Level 33 from the lower interconnected floors. The curtain system was integrated with the building's fire detection and alarm systems, ensuring automatic deployment upon alarm activation or loss of power. As a gravity fail-safe system, the curtain provides a highly reliable response during emergency conditions.

Enhanced Life Safety Features

To further enhance operational reliability and occupant safety, Greene Fire incorporated a comprehensive range of life safety features into the installation. Obstruction sensors were installed to continuously monitor the curtain exclusion zone and ensure the deployment path remains clear at all times. Integrated voice warning systems provide audible alerts to occupants if an obstruction is detected or when the curtain is preparing to descend. Backup battery capability was also incorporated to maintain system functionality during power interruptions. These additional features ensure the fire curtain can deploy safely and effectively while minimising the risk of obstruction during an emergency event.

Supporting Architectural Design Through Performance Solutions

Modern commercial workplaces increasingly incorporate interconnected spaces and open-plan environments that challenge traditional fire compartmentation methods. Fire curtains provide designers with the flexibility to achieve these architectural outcomes while maintaining compliance with stringent fire safety requirements. At 360 Queen Street, the FireMaster PLUS Concertina Fire Curtain enabled the project team to preserve the openness and connectivity of the workplace without compromising life safety performance. The installation demonstrates how specialist active fire protection systems can successfully support complex Performance Solutions in premium commercial developments.

Project Outcome

The successful installation of the FireMaster PLUS Concertina Fire Curtain at Herbert Smith Freehills, 360 Queen Street, delivered a compliant and architecturally sensitive fire separation strategy for the three-level interconnected tenancy. By combining advanced fire curtain technology with intelligent life safety features, Greene Fire helped deliver a high-performance workplace environment that satisfies both design aspirations and fire engineering requirements, reinforcing Greene Fire's capability in delivering bespoke fire protection solutions for complex commercial projects.