Commercial Green Wall Suitability Guide
Commercial specification
Commercial Green Wall Suitability Guide
A starting point for specifiers deciding whether an artificial green wall suits a given environment, and which specification to write in. Commercial project types, with a residential baseline included for comparison.
Suitability is rarely about the product alone. It depends on fire performance requirements, sun and weather exposure, cleaning regimes, fixing method and who has to approve the installation. This guide sets out where artificial green walls are well established, where they need a site-specific assessment, and where they need sign-off before they can be considered.
Written for architects, interior designers, builders, fit-out teams and procurement. For advice on a specific project, contact the commercial team or call 1800 617 341.
Suitability by project type
| Project type | Suitability | Recommended green wall specification |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate office reception | Highly suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. Easily attached via staples, hooks, or screws. |
| Shopping centre or retail tenancy | Highly suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. Subject to landlord approval. |
| Hotel, restaurant or bar | Highly suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. UV-rated product for any outdoor areas. |
| Medical or wellness reception | Highly suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. Documented cleaning protocol. |
| Apartment lobby or common area | Highly suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. Subject to strata and certifier approval. |
| Residential home | Highly suitable | Ordinarily no specialist foliage required. FireTex recommended for outdoor areas within 5 metres of barbecues, fire pits, patio heaters or other ignition sources. |
| School or university | Suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. Secure tamper-resistant fixing. |
| Balcony or courtyard | Suitable | Group 1 recommended. FireTex suitable where approved by your engineers. Exterior UV-rated product, drainage and wind-load assessment. |
| Hospital clinical area | Conditional | FireTex only where infection control and the facility approve it |
| Pool or spa area | Conditional | UV and moisture-suitable product with corrosion-resistant fixings |
| Childcare centre | Conditional | FireTex, secure fixing and loose-part assessment |
| External facade | Conditional | Exterior UV-rated product plus engineered wind-load fixing |
| Commercial kitchen | Limited suitability | Generally outside cooking and grease zones only |
| Fire-isolated stair or passageway | Specialist approval required | Only where specifically accepted by the fire engineer or certifier |
Guidance only. Final specification depends on the fire, structural and compliance requirements of the individual project.
How to read the suitability rating
- Highly suitableA green wall is a well-established fit for this environment. Specification is straightforward and the constraints are known.
- SuitableAppropriate in most cases, with one or two conditions to confirm before ordering.
- ConditionalWorkable, but the outcome depends on a site-specific assessment. Expect a longer approval path.
- Limited suitabilityOnly viable in part of the space, or under narrow conditions. Discuss before designing it in.
- Specialist approval requiredCannot be assumed. Requires sign-off from the fire engineer or certifier for that specific project.
Before this guide becomes a specification
This table reflects common outcomes across Australian projects. It is guidance only. It is not a compliance determination and it does not replace project-specific advice.
Every project should be subject to three checks before anything is ordered:
- Review by a qualified fire engineer.
- Permit and approvals checking with the relevant authority, landlord, strata or building certifier.
- Your own independent review against the conditions and obligations of the specific site.
Fire performance is the most common constraint. Group 1 products are made to order and must be specified early in the project program. Designer Plants can supply testing reports and compliance documentation for the products under consideration, for issue to your engineer or certifier.
Read more about FireTex fire-tested greenery and the UV warranty on certified outdoor ranges.
What the commercial team can provide
Product testing reports
Fire testing information and compliance documentation for the specific products under consideration, for issue to fire engineers and certifiers.
Specification support
Product recommendations matched to the environment, with coverage calculations, quantities and fixing guidance.
Physical samples
Samples to assess colour, density and finish in situ before the specification is locked.
Browse the green wall and vertical garden range.
Explore the commercial range
Commercial artificial greenery
Case studies, the architect-preferred range, proprietary technologies and specification resources.
Complete artificial greenery fit-outs
Custom designed, project managed and delivered nationwide, from a single installation to a national rollout.
Commercial greenery design consultations
Work directly with the designers, researchers and product specialists behind the commercial range.