The Quay Quarter Tower is an impressive office space featuring multiple floors interconnected by internal stairways and large atrium voids. Ensuring fire safety in such a complex structure posed significant challenges, particularly in achieving effective fire compartmentation across multiple levels.
Technical Challenge: The fire compartmentation strategy required that no more than 2 or 3 levels be interconnected during a fire. This was achievable through either fire curtains or toughened glazing with wall wetting sprinklers, with fire curtains being the preferred solution.
The installation of 22 Concertina fire curtains between Levels 2 and 47 in a tall building significantly enhances its safety features. These fire curtains provide a robust barrier that prevents the spread of flames and smoke, thereby creating safe zones and facilitating evacuation in the event of a fire. This measure not only complies with stringent fire safety regulations but also offers peace of mind to occupants, ensuring that every floor is equipped with the latest in fire protection technology.
Another, less visible, form of environmental sustainability involves preserving two-thirds of the existing structure. By repurposing an older building asset, this approach breathes new life into the building and revitalizes the surrounding area. Utilizing the existing infrastructure leverages the built environment to sustain and rejuvenate the precinct, transforming a once outdated area into a vibrant and functional space. See the below video showing the impressive construction project from: https://3xn.com/project/quay-quarter-tower-2
Compartmentation Strategy: Fire curtains were installed to ensure proper fire separation, particularly around the smaller voids on Levels 20 and 30 that connect the main atrium stacks. This approach was necessary to comply with the fire compartmentation requirements.
Obstruction Warning System: An alarm system was implemented to warn if an object obstructed a fire curtain for more than 10 minutes, ensuring no delays in curtain deployment.
Enhanced Safety Features: On Levels 20, 24, 27, and 33, where bridge links are present, several advanced features were added:
Signage and Instructions: Clear signage was installed to guide occupants on push button locations and evacuation procedures during a fire alarm.
Coopers Fire worked with their Australian distributor, Greene Fire to complete this project. Greene Fire played a crucial role in overcoming the project’s unique challenges by installing 22 Concertina curtains between Levels 2 and 47, and one wide single roller curtain in the basement.
Innovative Fixing Detail: To maximise floor space and accommodate the small return on atrium ends, Greene Fire developed a new side guide fixing detail. This allowed the curtain to be positioned right up against the atrium without requiring a supporting structure behind the side guide.
Adjustable Capping for Raked Ceilings: The uneven ceilings presented another hurdle. Greene Fire introduced a capping with adjustable studs to ensure the curtains were installed level, despite the sloping ceiling. This solution ensured the curtains blended seamlessly with the ceiling finish.
