Fire Protection Association Inc. of New Zealand
Proposed Draft “Code of Practice “
as at 27 July 2015
For
Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants
Published by Fire Protection Association Inc. New Zealand
First Edition published in September 2012 in New Zealand, Second Edition published in
November 2015 in New Zealand. The NZ Fire Service has expressed support of code of
practice guidance for the Evacuation Consultants group.
1
This Code of Practice may not be reproduced without the explicit permission of the Fire
Protection Association Inc. of New Zealand.
Fire Protection Association Inc. of New Zealand,
9c William Pickering Drive
Rosedale 0632
Auckland New Zealand
Private Box 302-372, North Harbour 0751
Phone: +64 9 414 4450 Fax: +64 9 414 5707
Email: fpanz@fireprotection.org.nz
Website: www.fireprotection.org.nz
1
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
2
Table of Content
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction to this Code of Practice .................................................................................................................. 4
Part A: Context to this Code of Practice ............................................................................................................. 5
Part A1: The value in industry Code of Practice Guidelines .................................................................. 5
Part A2: The role of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants ........................................................ 5
Part A3: Professional good practice ................................................................................................................ 6
Part A4: Technical knowledge and professional development ............................................................ 6
Part A5: Legislative framework knowledge and professional development .................................. 8
Part B: Fire Evacuation and its principal legislations .................................................................................. 9
Part B1: Evacuation Scheme and Evacuation Procedure - principal legislations ........................ 9
Part B2: Fire precaution and building safety - principal legislations ................................................ 9
Part C: Pertaining building structure in relation to evacuation ............................................................. 12
Part C1: Building Levels for the purpose of this Code ........................................................................... 12
Part C2: Building Assessment in the context of evacuation ................................................................ 12
Part D: Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 15
Appendix D1: Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................. 15
Appendix D2: Glossary of Industry Terminology .................................................................................... 16
Appendix D3: Legislative Framework- Resource Information, concerning the safe evacuation
of buildings in the event of fire ....................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix D4 Legislative framework- Resource Information, New Zealand Building Act 2004
and Amendments Acts 2012, Building Code, Compliance Schedules and Acceptable Solutions
..................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Appendix D5: Hand-operated fire-fighting equipment ......................................................................... 38
Appendix D6: Hazardous substances ........................................................................................................... 39
Appendix D7: Types of building fire safety systems............................................................................... 41
Appendix D8: Useful Web Links ..................................................................................................................... 43
Appendix D9 Recommended Reading Resources .................................................................................... 45
2
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
3
Foreword
“Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy”
Max Mayfield, Director, National Hurricane Centre USA
The Fire Protection Association New Zealand Incorporated (FPANZ) and the New Zealand Fire Service
(NZFS) in consultation with the special interest group of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants
have collaboratively consulted on the Code of Practice. A special acknowledgement goes to Ela
Langford for her contribution. The NZFS is supportive of code of practice guidance for the Evacuation
Consultants(s) group.
New Zealand is amongst the best in the world in the provision of a solid platform for a ‘fire-safe’
environment. The effectiveness of this framework is evidenced by the very low number of fatal fires in
non-residential buildings in New Zealand over the last decade. New Zealand’s fire protection standards
and its building compliance regimes, specifies requirements for regular maintenance, inspections,
testing of systems, and evacuation planning, practice and training. The knowledge of installed fire
protection systems and operations, contextual to use, occupancy and life cycle of a building aids to a
‘fire-safe’ environment.
Protection of buildings from fire and successful evacuation of buildings devoid of loss of life is of
central concern to fire protection and the purpose of the Building Act and Fire Safety and Evacuation
of Building Regulations. The implementation of appropriate procedures and good practice aid in risk
reduction and help to avoid injuries and the loss of life in the event of an emergency requiring
evacuation.
While no system is perfect (particularly where there is an element of human intervention), loss of life
as a result of fire can be avoided. Failure in following appropriate procedures and practice play an
important part in increased risk of injury or loss of life in a fire event. The Fire Industry is committed
to equip its people with the best knowledge, tools and skills in fostering a ‘fire-safe’ environment.
This Code is designed to serve the fire industry by providing criteria of expected work practices and
competencies, while also providing technical and legislative framework resources. In doing so, guiding
and supporting the process of informed decision-making and best practice conduct for the evacuation
consultancy service.
This document sits alongside the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants Certificate and the FPANZ
Code of Ethical Conduct and its Complaint Procedure.
3
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
4
Introduction to this Code of Practice
This Code (FSECC) is concerned with fire safety, evacuation procedures and the management of safe
people movement in the event of an emergency requiring evacuation.
Part A of this FSECC aims to aid in the understanding of best practice and provide directives for
professional conduct in addition to describing the role and responsibilities of the Fire Safety and
Evacuation Consultants.
Part B outlines matters pertaining to evacuation of a building, Evacuation Scheme, Evacuation
Procedure and its principal legislation framework.
Part C outlines matters of building structures, systems and features in the context of fire safety and
evacuation practice and its principal legislative framework.
Part D provides a set of appendices that offer industry related technical and legislation information.
This section includes a list of acronyms and abbreviations and a glossary of industry terminology that
is used throughout this document and in the fire industry. This part includes details about classes of
fire and the use of hand operated fire-fighting equipment, details about hazardous substance,
including infectious and radioactive substances and types of active and passive fire protection
systems. Part D also includes reading recommendations containing subject matter pertaining to
legislations.
4
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
5
Part A: Context to this Code of Practice
Part A outlines the purpose of this Code of Practice (FSECC) and its focus on professional conduct and
best practice directives. This part also describes the expected technical expertise and its relevant
legislative framework knowledge and required continuous professional training and development.
This FSECC aims to support and aid Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants in understanding best
practice and professional conduct.
This code aims to describe a standard of expected work practices and competencies and offers Fire
Safety and Evacuation Consultants technical and legislative framework resources, and in doing so
fostering the process of informed decision-making and best practice conduct.
Part A1: The value in industry Code of Practice Guidelines
The fire protection industry aims to offer directives and equip FPANZ members to conduct themselves
in such a way as to provide best practice standards to the wider public and within the fire industry at
large.
This industry’s dedication to excellence is reflected in its expressed expectation of professional
expertise, ongoing professional development and conduct accountability, outlined in this code. In
addition this code desires to communicate commitment. In fostering public confidence and positive
perception in the expertise provided by members of the fire protection industry.
Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants perform a vital role within the fire protection industry sector
by informing the public of the evacuation process in buildings, in the event of a required evacuation.
These include the provision on fire safety and compliance information, as well as, relevant legislative
guidance for building owners and occupiers. The practice of training occupants in fire safety and
evacuation processes (how and what to do in the event of a fire) forms an integral aspect in helping to
create a greater 'fire-safe' environment.
Part A2: The role of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants
Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants (FSEC) are concerned with fire safety for people in buildings in
the context of building structures. The objective is focused on providing advice on, and assistance with
fire safety processes, evacuation procedures and its training and documentation in accordance with
legislation. The FSEC will also observe installed fire alerting systems, active and passive protection
systems and signs, and its operation alongside the management of hazardous substances (if present)
and Means of Escape.
Most of all Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants provide knowledge to enable all occupants,
(including occupants that may require additional assistance in leaving the building) to evacuated
safely and assemble well clear of the affected area and/or building, in the event of a required
evacuation.
In New Zealand legislation(s) outline the building owner’s responsibilities, pertaining to matters of
ensuring the safety from fire for all occupants. Accordingly the FSEC focus is on equipping all
stakeholders in achieving an informed decision-making state in matters pertaining to fire safety and
evacuation procedures and its legislative framework.
5
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
6
Part A3: Professional good practice
In the context of good practice conduct Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants shall consider the
following: The varied work load, work hours, different work environments and variant work locations
in addition to diversity of people(s) needs and their culture.
These multiple variables present a unique opportunity as well as a challenge to communicate
effectively. The FSEC is expected to convey the required fire safety and evacuation procedures in its
context and entirety. This requires flexibility in approach and communication style, as well as sound
technical knowledge and legislative framework familiarity within the scope of work.
Mindfulness in regards to multiple stakeholders with diverse needs is a major consideration. Much
relies on the FSEC knowledge and skill to provide all involved parties with adequate information in
reaching an informed decision-making state.
The Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants has the obligation, to be technical industry conversant,
current in their knowledge of relevant legislative frameworks and able to communicate and
implement these, where required and appropriate.
The weight and nature of this role requires a responsible, accountable and honest disposition in
professional relationship and observance of the principles of expert professional conduct.
This includes engagement in respectful peer group interactions and professional development
opportunities.
The Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants is to foster professional integrity within the public
community, fire industry body and across the larger fire protection sector. (Note public means also
client in this FSCC context).
Part A4: Technical knowledge and professional development
This Code informs and directs expected professional knowledge and industry conduct.
FPANZ intent for this FSECC to provide the framework and resource information on required technical
and legislative knowledge, as well as ongoing required professional training.
The nature of work as a Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants demands a technical and practical
approach in understanding and implementing fire safety and evacuation procedures in buildings.
Ongoing professional development that is consistent with national recognised accepted practice, aid
value for those involved in the fire protection industry. In doing so enabling professionalism and best
practice within the fire industry and in its service to the wider community. The degree of technical
knowledge essential is in direct relation to the scope of contracted work. More information can be
found under this codes building levels L1-L4.
Sound theoretical and practical understanding of evacuation procedures and its practice, relevant to
building use, occupancy (‘fit for purpose’), and complexity and in its contextual legislative framework,
is a requisite to the role and the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants competency Level 1-4 (for the
purpose of this Code).
Solid knowledge of ‘staged’, horizontal, progressive, fractional and or ‘a one out-all out’ evacuation
procedures, in relation to the building structure, fire protection systems, means of escape, exits, egress
6
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
7
routes, including pathways to a ‘place of safety’ outside (via ramps solid surface coating etc.) and its
occupancy is critical. Good knowledge and familiarity of the building and fire industry’s technical
terminology, its policies, processes and documentations, reports, drawings and its governing
legislative framework is essential.
Expected technical knowledge and expertise in relation to building structures and features, occupancy
(‘fit for purpose’), level of building in the area of:
1.
Fire safety practice, fire behaviour, fire prevention, fire extinguishing and equipment such
potable fire-extinguishing and fire blankets equipment
2.
Active and passive fire protection systems and fire stopping (smoke-control systems, automatic
fire-suppression systems, automatic and manual emergency warning systems (Fire Alarm Panel,
Remote Display Units, Mimic Panels, Manual Call Points, Strobe light to warn of fire and other
dangers, inter-faceable systems (air handling units, electromagnetic and automatic self-closing
doors, gates and windows, access controlled doors, fire dampers, smoke dampers, lifts and lift
smoke enclosures, smoke curtains), mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems in
relation to fire cells/ fire separation. Fire stopping such as seals where a service penetration has
occurred is essential to maintain in existing fire cells protection from smoke and/or fire
travelling between fire cells
3.
Lifts, escalators, travellators and other systems used to move people or goods within buildings
in relation to means of escape, escape routes and systems providing visibility and emergency
power systems including escape route and pressurisation systems in areas such as some
stairwells and in the context of fire safety and evacuation of buildings
4.
In sprinkler protected buildings knowledge about the water supply riser mains for use by fire
services, automatic back-flow preventers connected to a potable water supplies, independent
water supply via tanks
5.
Buildings such as maintenance units that provide access to buildings’ exterior and interior walls
and adjacent buildings such as buildings that are used as laboratories (laboratory fume
cupboards and store significant hazardous goods) and/or temporary buildings (protocols)
6.
Signage and other fire safety systems or features (such as systems for communicating
information (pager system, PA) in assisting all people to evacuate a building.
7
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
8
Part A5: Legislative framework knowledge and professional development
The major legislation govern the work of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants are:
Building Acts 1992 / 2004 and its Building Amendment Acts of 2005, 2008, 2009 2012, 2013 and 2015
The Building Act (BA 2004) and Building Amendment Acts (year) and subsequent legislative
framework such as the Building Regulations, Building Code and its Acceptable Solutions and
Verification Methods.
Legislations are in a state of constant reviews and subsequent amendments. However these direct
consideration(s) relating to the safety of building structure(s) and its installed system(s) including fire
protection system(s). Therefore legislative documentation may be understood as ‘living document’.
Changes may supersede existing legislation(s) completely and or in part. It is considered good practice
for the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants to keep current in the knowledge of legislations and its
amendments’.
Fire Service Act 1975 Public Act no 42 and the Fire Safety and Evacuation of Building Regulations 2006
(SR2006/123): (FSEOBR 2006).
These legislations deliberate on how to manage the process of keeping building occupants safe and
what to do in the event of an outbreak of fire and how to manage the evacuation process. Under the
FSEOBR 2006 a building owner is responsible for managing the fire safety precautions in their
building, including the procedure(s) pertaining to fire evacuation.
The Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants must demonstrate solid technical knowledge and
additionally familiarity of the relevant legislation(s). Additional legislations are listed under Appendix
(D) and provided to assist professionals in best practice conduct.
The Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants has the obligation to communicate relevant legislative
frameworks where appropriate, these requiring an informed understanding of implication(s) and
application(s) of relevant legislation(s). The Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants ability to converse
with stakeholders such as; architects, fire engineers, services engineers, utility providers, insurers,
financial institutions, project managers, facilities and building managers, and the NZFS in these
matters is critical in fostering informed decision-making states.
8
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
9
Part B: Fire Evacuation and its principal legislations
Principal legislations are made under powers delegated by Parliament. Parliament making does have
the power (through the Regulations Review Committee) to scrutinise and veto any proposed
regulation.
Part B1: Evacuation Scheme and Evacuation Procedure - principal legislations
The central concern of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants is to assist, enable and educate all
stakeholders in ‘how to evacuate a building safely and in a timely manner.’ This includes obligations to
communicate to occupant’s procedures, and the provision of directives on general fire safety practice
installed relevant fire protection systems and its operation.
Communication takes the form of advice and training in regards to design and implementation of
procedural directives in relation to the evacuation of building. Procedural document supporting the
evacuation of buildings in this context are: Evacuation Scheme and its evacuation procedures,
Evacuation Board, Assistants Register, Check Sheets. Signage: Fire Evacuation Notice/Instruction,
Building-layout Plan.
The Evacuation Scheme and evacuation procedures sole purpose lies in the provision of guidance on
how to move people promptly, safely, and efficiently from a place of danger to a place of safety. The
guidance provided within the document includes instructions on evacuation management and
training, provision for signs, installed fire protection systems and firefighting equipment. The
document also informs on means of warning, location of exits and place(s) of safety and evacuation
procedure and its maintenance regime.
The Fire Evacuation Consultants must have solid knowledge of all matters pertaining to the technical,
practical and legislative framework, concerning evacuation of buildings in the event of fire.
Additional information regarding Evacuation Schemes and its application process can be found in this
document under the headline Appendix D3: ‘Legislative framework- Resource Information concerning
evacuation in the event of fire’ and on the NZFS website.
Part B2: Fire precaution and building safety - principal legislations
The laws of New Zealand govern what we do. A law (or statute) starts out as a bill passes through
various stages (first reading, select committee reading, second reading, committee of the whole House,
third reading, and Royal Assent) before becoming an Act of Parliament.
Building Acts 1992 / 2004 and its Building Amendment Acts of 2005, 2008, 2009 2012, 2013 and 2015
The Building Act (BA 2004) and its Building Amendment Acts and subsequent legislative framework
the Building Code, Acceptable Solutions and Verification Method guide considerations concerned with
the design in the context of structural safety or buildings and its installed systems performance
including fire protection systems. The Building Act contains provisions for regulating building work,
while the Verification Method C/VM2 is a framework guiding fire safety design, which provides a
means for compliance with the NZ Building Code. This provision is issued in Part 2 under section 22
‘Acceptable solution or verification method for use in establishing compliance with the building code’ of
the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 as a compliance document. The Acceptable Solutions (AS)
relevant to fire are: Clauses C/AS1 – C/AS7, C1-C6 ’Protection from Fire’. Further consideration must
be given to the provision of D F Clauses.
9
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
10
The Building Act 2004 (BA 2004) and its Amendments Act 2012 requires the building owner to submit
complete plans and specifications, in accordance to achieve compliance with this Act. Depending on
the type of building, these documentation(s) include descriptions of all active and passive fire safety
features of the building. The BA 2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 in Part 2, under section 35(e)
‘Content of project information memorandum’ under Subpart 3- ‘Building works- Project information
memoranda and building consents’, outlines that a Territorial Authority must state that they believe the
building is likely to need an Evacuation Scheme, in Part 2 under section ‘Fire Safety’, subsection
‘Relevant building defined for purposes of sections 21B to 21H, Clause 21A of the Fire Service Act 1975’.
Architectural drawings alongside a Fire Engineer Report and relevant structural and installed systems
information are critical in managing buildings. These and in addition to required compliance
documentation and processes provide directives for requirements in accordance with legislations for
the building. Note the prescriptive method to buildings consented, prior to 1991, did not require a Fire
Engineer Report.
Identification of these ‘specified systems’ is required at building consent stage and the information is
included in a Code Compliance Schedule. This schedule lists all specific life safety systems in the
building and these must be routinely maintained. Part 2 of the BA 2004 and its Amendments Act 2012
outlines under the subheading ’Certificates of acceptance’ under section 100-107 matters relating to
the Code Compliance Schedule (CCC). A Compliance Schedule is an inventory of all the specified
systems in the building and lists their performance standards. In the same Act under Section 103 all
specified systems have to state details about inspections, maintenance, and reporting.
A building, which undergoes building works may be granted a ‘Certificate of Public Use’ and may be
issued under section 363A of the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 for the use of a premises and
may be allowed before issue of code compliance certificate has been granted in some circumstances.
The Territorial Authority may issue this certificate for the premises or part of, if and only if, the
authority is satisfied on reasonable grounds that members of the public can use the premises or part
of, safely.
On the anniversary of the issue of the code compliance certificate or a certificate of acceptance, the
building owner must provide a statement to the Territorial Authority that they have reported, tested
and maintained specified systems listed on the ‘Compliance Schedule’.
In the design stage of building information of how these ‘specified systems’ will be inspected and
maintained is incorporated. Identification of these ‘specified systems’ is required at building consent
stage so that the information is included in a ‘Compliance Schedule’. These systems must be effective
over the ‘life cycle’ of the building.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) latest Amendment 2013 to the Building
Code came into force on the 14 February 2014. The Building Code (regulations made under section
400 in the BA2004) contained in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 1992, which sets performance
standards for all new building work. These cover aspects such as stability, protection from fire, access,
moisture, safety of users, services and facilities, and energy efficiency. The Building Code outlines
standards for 'Protection from Fire' in Schedule 2, C Clause, and C2-C6 Schedule 1. This includes
Building (Building Code: Fire Safety and Signs), Clause F8 of Schedule 1 Amendment Act 2012,
Schedule 3 and Schedule 1, Clause A (3) of Schedule 1.
The Building Act 2004 and its Building Amendments Act 2012 in Part 1 under section 7 defines ‘means
of escape from fire’, in relation to a building that has a floor area and as a means continuous
unobstructed routes of travel from any part of the floor area of that building to a place of safety. This
includes also all active and passive fire safety features required to warn people of fire and to assist in
10
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
11
protecting people from the effects of fire in the course of their escape from fire (paths of travel to
escape).
The New Zealand Construction Industry Council’s 2004 Design Documentation Guidelines ‘Design
Documentation Guidelines: New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC) 2004’ came about after
researching global best practice within the construction industry, and consulting with those working
in the industry. These guidelines recommend involving a Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants in the
design concept phase. Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants working with complex buildings and
diverse occupancies, which requires a well-managed evacuation strategies may need relevant
information in determining how active and passive fire protection systems interact to enable a safe
evacuation of the building.
Additional resources regarding the safety of buildings from fire, its application and legislation
framework, can be found in this document under section Appendices D
11
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
12
Part C: Pertaining building structure in relation to evacuation
Part C of this Code while comprehensive in technical and legislative frame work information, is
particular relevant to Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants working in complex buildings, buildings
with classification for the purpose of this code of L3, L4.
Part C1: Building Levels for the purpose of this Code
The nature of the work as a Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants demands a technical and practical
approach to building structures and installed systems. Fire safety and evacuation procedure(s) design
in the context of the building, its use and purpose is obligatory.
The degree of technical knowledge, indispensable in understanding building structures and its
installed systems, in relation to the necessary process and in the context of safe evacuation must be
given sincere consideration in FSEC contractual agreements.
For the purposes of this Code, four levels of building have been classified. These range from the
simplest to the most complex, where hospitals, rest homes, a multi-level hotel, or a shopping centre
are considered to be more complex in nature. The Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants is
recommended to work within the categories of building levels that best reflect current knowledge and
skill level. The building levels and what these mean are set out in the table below. These are not to be
confused with the building important levels set out in clause A3 of the Building Code 2012.
Building Level 1 (L1) - occupant loads of up to 100 people, evacuation procedure: a ’one out-all out’,
this excludes buildings containing occupants who are disabled, detained, aged, injured or are children
(such as rest homes, childcare centres and hospitals).
Building Level 2 (L2) - occupant loads of up to 500 people, evacuation procedure: a ’one out all- out’
philosophy, this includes primary schools, secondary schools, or day care facilities and buildings
where more than 300 people congregate in 1 area.
Building Level 3 (L3) - occupant loads over 500 people, evacuation procedure: a ’one out all-out
philosophy’ and/or evacuation strategy from a place of danger to a ‘place of safety’ within the building,
including buildings with tertiary or adult education facilities with a capacity greater than 500 with an
‘all out’, includes childcare facilities and health and disability care facilities that have either an ‘all out’
and/or an evacuation strategies enabling the evacuation from a place of danger to ‘place of safety’
inside and/or outside but not having surgery or emergency treatment facilities and not having secure
‘units’.
Building Level 4 (L4) - a evacuation from a place of danger to ‘place of safety’ inside and/or outside
and/or progressive, vertical evacuation procedure to a place of safety within the building and are
guided by situation-specific voice announcements, along with standard voice messages during an
evacuation. Building such hospitals and other health care facilities that provide surgery or emergency
treatment facilities and or detention/secure areas such dementia and mental health care units, jails
and detention facilities and buildings with a capacity of over 5000 or more people.
Part C2: Building Assessment in the context of evacuation
The assessment of buildings in the context of evacuation management procedures is a requisite
requirement to achieving an informed decision-making state. A combination of physical walk
through(s) and consolidation of support documentation in considerations for the use and purpose is
12
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
13
essential. This enabling the collection of required information in order to ascertaining a buildings
'status' regarding it suitability for use and occupancy 'fit for purpose'.
Understanding building structures and its installed systems in the context of its occupancy (‘fit for
purpose’) and safe evacuation from buildings in the event of fire is obligatory. Therefore it is
considered good practice for the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants to be familiar with the
building structure and its systems, its building design, its use and occupancy, hazards substance and
its site environment.
Consideration must be given to:
Design










construction, height, layout, and other physical features of permanent and temporary building(s)
flammability of construction materials, and the type and quantity of smoke likely to be produced
if there is a fire
design features that will reduce fire spread (such as fire-resistant partitions and doors), and
those that may increase fire spread
features of passive fire protection (such as smoke-control doors, smoke curtains) that will
positively aid the safe evacuation from the building in the event of a fire
buildings location of fire safe refuge points, number and location of exits from the building, and
the number and location and complexity of routes to those designated exits
location(s) of ‘place of safety’ inside and outside
adequacies and appropriateness of active fire prevention and fire alarm systems, (detector
heads, manual call points, and alerting devices wired to a control panel), alerting devices may be
bells, sirens, horns, loudspeakers, or other electronic noise makers. Visual alerting devices may
also be installed
available staff notification systems (such as by text message, personal pager, discreet sounders,
a coded phrase on a public address system, or a combination of ways)and available fire-fighting
equipment in the building
sprinkler system installation, installation of the sprinkler system in accordance to New Zealand
standard and its compliance, identify if there is a dispensation such as, 'an evacuation scheme is
not required' (FSA 21B(2)(a,b)
specify the fire protection systems and features and how people will be warned of a fire
Occupancy






13
number of people who live or work in the building, and the number of visitors who may be in the
building
peak number of people who may be in the building at one time
operating hours, times when people are likely to be in the building including after hours and
where in the building they are likely to be, and how those locations relate to exit points
characteristics of people likely to be in the building, including age, health, physical ability,
knowledge of building layout and evacuation procedure, and any special needs in consideration
for the provision for persons with disability
note the management-responsibility ‘holders’ for and within the building (this includes the
person executing the role of the building warden and floor/fire warden and their deputies
note role holder for fire safety management (Evacuation Plan/Scheme, Wardens Procedure
Training and Duties, Fire Safety and Evacuation Training and Maintenance of the Scheme)
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
14
Hazards






equipment and ‘fit out’ features in buildings used, which may increase the risk of fire or that may
provide hazards in the event of an evacuation
areas where goods are stored, where they are packed and unpacked, to observe whether routes
through the area are kept clear, and, if not, whether there are alternative routes ,whether
hazardous goods are stored anywhere in or near the building
appliances that may be hazardous during an evacuation, particularly appliances that produce an
open flame
occupants becoming a hazard to themselves and/or others
note if the hazardous goods stored and/or processed in the building requires a HSNO Certificate
( inventory listing of individual hazardous goods, its classification and quantity)
hazards on the site, avoidance strategy when planning exit routes and places of safety
Site





Site examination of means of escape, egress routes and final exits, and access control systems,
external open and safe path (ramps, stairs, gates, surface covering such as grass, egress routes
(pathways) to Assembly Area. Site visits are discretional but recommended to assist in realistic
site familiarisation
identify places where people can assemble safely after leaving the building
Assembly points, car park location and NZFS Access to the building
Adjacent buildings (permanent and temporary constructions)
For more information on building levels and occupancy risk group classification, consult section
Appendices D
14
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
15
Part D: Appendices
Part D provides a set of appendices that offer industry related technical and legislation information.
This section includes a list of acronyms and abbreviations and a glossary of industry terminology that
is used throughout this document and in the fire industry. This part includes details about classes of
fire and the use of hand operated fire-fighting equipment, details about hazardous substance,
including infectious and radioactive substances and types of active and passive fire protection
systems. Part D also includes reading recommendations, containing subject matter pertaining to
legislation. These while comprehensive in technical and legislative framework information, references
rich and extensive in recommended reading resources, are not an exhaustive ‘list’ of resource
information in relation to Fire Safety.
Appendix D1: Acronyms and Abbreviations
AS
Acceptable Solution (NZ)
BA 2004
Building Act 2004 and Amendments Act 2012
BAR
Building Code (Schedule 1 Building Regulations 1992)
BWOF
Building Warrant of Fitness
CT
Certificate of Title
DP
Deposited Plan
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
FSA (year)
Fire Service Act 1975
FSEC
Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants
FSECC
Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants Code of Practice (Second Edition)
FSEOBR
Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2006
FPANZ
Fire Protection Association Inc. New Zealand
HSNO ACT
Hazardous Substances and Noxious Organisms Act 1996/ update
HSIWA
Health and Safety in Work Act 2015
IFEG
International Fire Engineering Guidelines 2005
IQP
Independently Qualified Person
MBIE
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
NZFS
New Zealand Fire Service
NZS
New Zealand Standard
15
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
16
Appendix D2: Glossary of Industry Terminology
For the purposes of this Code of Practice, the words and phrases in the table below are deemed to have
the meanings noted next to them. Where possible, these meanings reflect the meanings used in the
appropriate legislation. Included are other glossary terms.
Glossary word or phrase
Meaning
(Definitions begin with a † refer to legal definitions)
Assembly Point
A place where people can assemble well clear of the area affected by fire and
disburse safely into two separate direction
Acceptable Solution
(Compliance Document)
† AS provide specific contraction details that can be used for establishing
compliance with NZBC C1 to C6 ‘Protection from Fire’. It is one of a suite of
Acceptable Solutions C/AS1 to C/AS7, each of them corresponding to an
identified risk group
Automatic Fire Detection and
Alarm Systems
New Zealand Standard, NZS4512: 2010, ‘Fire Detection and Alarm Systems in
Buildings’, superseding NZS4512: 2003
Authorized Applicant
Automatic Sprinkler System
Building consent authority
(BCA)
Building
16
The NZ Standard provides specification for the design, manufacture,
installation, and maintenance of building alarm systems (operated manually
or automatically), in the event of fire. These make possible the New Zealand
Fire Service approval of Evacuation Schemes under the Fire Safety and
Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2006
These are an integral part of the Acceptable Solutions of the Compliance
Documents to the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC)
A person who the building owner has authorised in writing, can apply on
their behalf to the NZFS for ‘Approval of Application’ for an Evacuation
Scheme
† A system that—
(1) (a) satisfies Part 2 section105 and section108 of the Building Act 2004 (in
relation to the sprinkler system); and (b) is appropriate to the use and
occupancy of the building; and (c) complies with sub clause (2)
(2) complies, at the time that it was installed, with one of the following
standards:
(a) NZS 4541:2013—‘Automatic fire sprinkler systems’, superseding NZS4541:
2007
(b) NZS 4515:2009—‘Fire sprinkler systems for life safety in sleeping
occupancies (up to 2000 m2)’, superseding NZS4515: 2009
(c) NZS 4517:2010—‘Fire sprinkler systems for houses’ superseding NZS4517:
2002
† This Standard 4541: 2013, under section 116 subheadings ‘Existing
Installations’ does not require systems approved to previous editions of NZS
4541 to be upgraded. For the purposes of complying with legislation, such as
the New Zealand Building Code and the Fire Safety and Evacuation of
Buildings Regulations, existing sprinkler systems that are certified as
complying with previous editions of NZS 4541 may, for the purposes of that
legislation, be deemed to meet requirements of NZS 4541:2013
† Has the meaning; a person whose name is entered in the register referred to
in section 273(1)(a) of the Building Act 2004
† has the meaning given by the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012, Part 1
under subheading ‘Meaning of building’ section 8 and 9
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
17
Also refer to Part 1 section 7 under heading ‘ household unit’ (a, b) and
heading ‘intended use’ in relation to a building (a, b)
Building Code
† has the meaning given by the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 in part
1 under section 7; means the regulations made under section 400. This codes
purpose is prescribed functional requirements for buildings and the
performance criteria with which buildings must comply in their intended use
(Part 2, subpart ‘Building code’ section 16)
Building consent
† Means a commercial building consent, a low-risk building consent, a simple
residential building consent, or a standard building consent
Building element
Any structural and non-structural component or assembly incorporated into
or associated with a building. Included are fixtures, services, drains,
permanent mechanical installations for access, gazing, partitions, ceilings and
temporary supports
Building event
† A building with an approved evacuation scheme that has any of these
changes to the building:
(a) where building work is carried out on a building under section112 of the
BA 2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 that results in its escape route
from fire being significantly affected
(b) where the escape route from a fire in the building needs to be changed
under section107
(c) where the building has a specified intended life under section 7 of the
BA2004 and its Amendments Act , or its life is extended under
section116
(d) where the building’s occupancy is changed to the extent that their
escape route from fire becomes inadequate
(e) where the building no longer needs to have an Evacuation Scheme (for
example, if the building is demolished or is no longer used for a purpose
as set out originally
A statement from the building owner that says all Compliance Schedule
requirements have been fully met in the previous 12 months and that the
specified systems will continue to perform as required
Building Warrant Of Fitness
(BWOF)
Building Owner
Refer to owner
Certificate of Public Use
† Section 363 A of the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 outline use of
Certificate of Title Reference
premises may be allowed before issue of code compliance certificate in some
circumstances
(1) A person who owns, occupies, or controls premises to which section
362W applies may apply in the prescribed form to the territorial authority for
a certificate for public use for the premises or a part of the premises if—
(a)
a building consent has been granted for building work affecting the
premises or part; and
(b) No code compliance certificate has been issued for the work.
(2) The territorial authority may issue a certificate for public use for the
premises or part if, and only if, satisfied on reasonable grounds that members
of the public can use the premises or part (as the case may be) safely
† Titles Act 1972 that has been deposited means the body corporate
17
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
18
Code Compliance Certificate
Compliance Schedule
Dangerous Building
‘Defend in place’ strategy
Firefighting equipment’s
(portable)
Escape route
Egress Routes
Dead End Open Path
Open Path
Safe Path
18
The reference for a title to land ‘identifier’ that looks like '345678' on more
recent titles. On older titles it looks like ‘WN345/678’. It may also be called
the Certificate of Title Number or CT Number
† A certificate issued by the building consent authority that confirms it is
satisfied all building work done under a building consent complies with that
consent
† A schedule issued by the building consent authority to the building owner
that lists specified systems and the maintenance, inspection and reporting
processes for those specified systems required for the building
†Part 2 of the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 under section 121
Meaning of dangerous building
(1) A building is dangerous for the purposes of this Act if
(a) in the ordinary course of events (excluding the occurrence of an
earthquake), the building is likely to cause—
(I)
injury or death (whether by collapse or otherwise) to any persons in it or to persons on other
property; or
(ii) damage to other property; or
(b) In the event of fire, injury or death to any persons in the building or to
persons on other property is likely.
(2) For the purpose of determining whether a building is dangerous in
terms of subsection (1)(b), a territorial authority—
(a)
may seek advice from members of the New Zealand
Fire Service who have been notified to the territorial authority by the Fire
Service National Commander as being competent to give advice; and
(b) If the advice is sought, must have due regard to the ad- vice.
International evacuation strategy for fires in high-rise buildings were only the
area of origin and its surrounding areas are evacuated
Fire Extinguishers (for more information see section pertaining to fire
extinguishers. Fire Blankets in kitchen areas for occupants to use in
smothering initial fat fires if it is safe to do so
Escape routes consist of unprotected routes (open paths) and protected
routes (safe paths or smoke lobbies). A continuous unobstructed route from
any occupied space in a building to a final exit to enable occupants to reach a
safe place, and shall comprise one or more of the following: open paths and
safe paths
Doors are not obstructions in an escape route provided they comply with
C/AS1- C/AS7 and D1/AS1, also refer to access control D2 ‘Mechanical
Installations for Access’
Refer to Means Of Escape From Fire
That part of an open path where escape is possible in only one direction
A dead end ceases to exist where the escape route reaches a point in the open
path which offers alternative directions of travel, or at a final exit or an exit
way
That part of an escape route (including dead ends) within a fire cell where
occupants may be exposed to fire or smoke while making their escape
A safe paths are the parts of an escape route that are separated by fire rated
construction from other parts of the building such as office spaces, conference
rooms and sleeping areas. Generally, the safe path will contain very little in
the way of contents and should be regarded as a sterile space. However, the
Acceptable Solutions allow some limited activities in safe paths under certain
conditions
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
19
Emergency Lighting (Systems
providing visibility)
Systems providing visibility requirements for buildings refer to clause F8
‘Signs’ and under F6 ‘Visibility in Escape Routes’ the Acceptable Solutions
Evacuation Plan
A plan outlining the risk management structure that include sufficient
wardens and their nominated deputies to effectively communicate and
evacuate people in the event of a required evacuation.
Specified described action- procedure: to reach a ‘place of safety’- prompt and
efficient evacuation of building's occupants in the event of a fire emergency.
All commercially occupied buildings must have an evacuation procedure in
place that sets out how occupants will be warned of an outbreak of fire and
what to do in the event of a fire and how to evacuate the affected area.
Also refer to regulations pertaining to Evacuation Procedure and Evacuation
Scheme in the FSEOBR 2006
In general terms, an Evacuation Scheme is a plan or arrangement for the safe
movement of people from a building in the event of a fire or other incident
† means an Evacuation Scheme:
(a)
that is required under the Fire Service Act; and
(b) that complies with FSEOBR 2006
Evacuation Procedure
Evacuation Scheme
Evacuation Time
Evacuation Training
Programme
Buildings that require an Evacuation Scheme will almost always have a fire
alarm system
Time interval between the time of warning of a fire being transmitted to the
building occupants and the time when occupants in a part or all of the
building are able to enter a ‘place of safety’
A training programme instructs occupants in evacuation management in a
fire emergency. This programme must include details of how the permanent
occupants are trained and assessed in the use of fire-fighting equipment in
the building, and the use of any emergency equipment in the building used to
help persons with a disability evacuate the building
Evacuation Types:
All-out (a ’one out-all
out’)
On detection of a fire event, a building-wide alarm sounds and all occupants
evacuate to a safe place outside and well clear of the building
Staged
A term used to describe the evacuation from a place of danger to a ‘place of
safety’
Evacuation process from a place of danger to a ‘place of safety’. This
terminology is applied to older buildings such as rest homes that do not fully
meet current building code requirements but are fully protected by a
compliant fire sprinkler system, a progressive evacuation process from the
room of fire origin egress through smoke control doors and smoke cells until
outside the building or until being advised to stop the process by an attending
NZFS Operational Fire Officer is accepted as a suitable alternative
Progressive
Older terminology may still be in public used such as ‘horizontal’ evacuation
(meaning the horizontal evacuation process away from room/area of ‘origin’
to the next nearest safe fire cell) Some larger buildings may also use a vertical
evacuation process, in using roof space and external fire exits stairwells to
evacuate the building
Exit Sign
Final Exits
19
A sign(s) illuminated and or fluorescent (design internationally agreed and
accepted) with the purpose to inform the occupants of access routes and its
exits to the final exit (door) leading to the outside of the building
The point at which an escape route ends by giving direct access to a safe place
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
20
Fire
The state of combustion during which flammable materials burn and is
producing heat, toxic gases, or smoke or flame or any combination of these
Fire load
The fire loading of a building or compartment is a way of establishing the
potential, severity of a hypothetical future fire. It is the heat output per unit
floor area, often measured in kj/m2
Fire Cell
An enclosed space or cluster of spaces (including a group of contiguous
spaces on the same or different levels in a building) that is separated from
other spaces
by a fire separation barrier (wall, roof, or floor). In this context, ‘floor’
includes ground floors and floors with an underside exposed to the external
environment (such as when cantilevered)
These include fire/smoke doors and sealed window frames/space
†A door set, single or multi-leaf, having a specific fire resistance rating, and in
certain situations a smoke control capability, and forming part of a fire
separation. The door, in the event of fire, if not already closed, will close
automatically and be self-latching
Materials, structures or processes that may result in creating a fire,
permitting a fire to grow undetected, or preventing people from escaping a
fire
†The danger of potential harm and degree of exposure arising from—
(a) the start and spread of fire; and
(b) the smoke and gases that are generated by the start and spread of fire
An estimate of the amount of heat that will be given off during ordinary
combustion of all the fuel in a given space; e.g., a bedroom or a lumberyard.
More casually, the amount and type of contents in a given space
Fire Door
Fire Hazard
Fire Load
Flash Over
A simultaneous ignition of all combustible materials/source in a closed space,
as when materials simultaneously reach their fire point
Fireproofing
A passive fire protection measure- method of rendering something a
structure and or materials proof against fire, or incombustible; or material for
use in making anything fire-proof
Fire safety systems
†Fire safety systems means the combination of all active and passive
protection methods used in a building to—
(a) warn people of an emergency; and
(b) provide for safe evacuation; and
(c) provide for access by, and the safety of, fire fighters; and
(d) restrict the spread of fire; and
(e) limit the impact of fire on structural stability
Fire retardant materials should not be confused with fire resistant materials.
Whilst a fire resistant material is one that is designed to resist burning and
withstand heat fire retardant materials are designed to burn slowly
Fire Resistant
Fire Retardant
Fire retardant materials should not be confused with fire resistant materials.
A substance or a treatment, incorporated in or applied to a material, which
suppresses or delays the combustion of that material under specified
conditions
Fire Separations
Any building element which separates fire cells through and or fire cells and
safe path, and provides a specific fire resistance rating
20
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
21
Fire stop
A material or method of construction used to restrict the spread of fire within
or through fire separations, and having a FRR no less than that of the fire
separation (Fire stops are mainly used to seal around penetrations, but can
also be used to seal narrow gaps between building elements)
Fire Resistant Rating (FRR)
The term is used to describe the minimum fire resistance required of primary
and secondary elements as determined in the standard test for fire resistance,
or in accordance with a specific calculation method verified by experimental
data from standard fire resistance tests. It comprises three numbers giving
the time in minutes for which each of the criteria structural adequacy,
integrity and insulation are satisfied, and is presented always in that order
Fire triangle
Form 12A
Fractional Evacuation
Hazardous Substance
Hours (including after hours
of operation)
Household Unit
Independently Qualified
Person
Intermediate Floor
Life rating
Means Of Escape From Fire
21
Examples of FRR are:
(a) 60/60/30 indicating structural adequacy 60 minutes, integrity 60
minutes, insulation 30 minutes.
(b) 30/-/- indicating structural adequacy 30 minutes but no time
requirement for integrity or insulation.
(c) 60/30/x indicating structural adequacy of 60 minutes, integrity of 30
minutes, and a requirement for insulation
An ‘outdated’ model for understanding the major components necessary for
fire: heat, fuel and oxygen
A required form as outlined under section 108 (3)(c) in the BA2004 and
Amendments Act 2012 for Certificate of Compliance with Inspection,
Maintenance and Reporting Procedures
Tall buildings, with high occupancy rate per floor designed to enable a
combination of lift and stair use as evacuation strategy. The design of lift, lift
lobby and access to stairwells, fire service lifts, landing etc. and operational
function of the lift directs the evacuation strategy
† Any hazardous substance as defined in the HSNO Act 2000; and any
infectious or radioactive substance that may impair human, animal, or plant
health
Specified times in which the building is more often than not occupied
† (a) a building or group of buildings, or part of a building or group of
buildings, that is—
(I)
used, or intended to be used, only or mainly for residential
purposes; and
(ii)
occupied, or intended to be occupied, exclusively as the home
or residence of not more than 1 household; but
(b)
does not include a hostel, boarding house, or other specialised
accommodation
† Independently Qualified Persons are those person(s) recognised under
arrangements of the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 to undertake the
inspection, maintenance and reporting of a specified system as listed on a
Compliance Schedule
A mezzanine floors or galleries within a fire cell that are open to the fire cell
floor below
Refers to the fire resistance rating to be applied to elements of construction
that allows movement of people from their location in a building to a place of
safety
† in relation a building that has a floor area:
(a)
means continuous, unobstructed routes of travel from any part of the
floor area of that building to a place of safety; and
(b) includes all the active and passive protection features required to warn
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
22
Means of warning
people of fire, and to assist in protecting people from the effects of fire
in
the course of their escape from the fire
Means of escape include features providing visibility in escape routes
complying with F6 and signs complying with F8
A Fire Engineers Report will specify the required systems and locations of
required fire protection and early warning systems (type of detector head,
type of fire protection system, type of sounding method, manual call points
(MCP) and any fire alarm mimic panel(s) as well as any Remote Display Units
(RDU) also known as Visual Display Units (VDU) that are required to be
installed in the building.
Add: Means of visual warning such as strobe light for the hearing impaired
or in some facilities where an audible device is considered to be more of an
obstacle than a help in the efficient warning to evacuation the building.
(mental health –isolation rooms, hospital- operation theatres) In some care
facilities and in some situations occupants are hard to wake and may be
provided with additional aid such as an interfaced bed-shaker (attached to
their bed) to warn of an outbreak of fire.
Larger Hospitals will often be equipped with warning devices that allows to
communicate numerous different directives to a number of fire cells located
on the same floor of alarm activation and/or across building levels at the
same time. In Psychiatric Units and prisons, it may be necessary to limit
access to manual fire alarm call points to prevent unwarranted false alarms.
Also refer to F7/AS1 of the Acceptable Solutions
Multi-Storey Building
A building with more than one floor, including floors underground. A building
with a basement and a ground floor is considered to be a multi-storey
building
Notice To Fix
† Notice to fix provisions in the Building Act 2004 came into force on 31
March 2005. A notice to fix is a statutory notice requiring a person to remedy
a breach of the Building Act 2004 or regulations under that Act. It is similar to
a notice to rectify under the Building Act 1991 but, unlike a notice to rectify, a
notice to fix can be issued for all breaches of the Act, not just for building
work.
Part 2 – Building
Subpart 8 – Notices to fix
Sections 163-168 of the BA 2004 and amendments Act 2012 be issued on
Form 13 of the Building (Forms) Regulations 2004. Also refer to ‘Issue of
notice to fix’ in the same Act Section 161
Occupant
† in relation to a building, includes any person lawfully entitled to be in the
building (for example, a visitor)
Occupant load
† The greatest number of people likely to occupy a particular space within a
building. It is determined by:
a) dividing the total floor area by the m2 per person (occupant density) for
the activity being undertaken, or
b) for sleeping areas, counting the number of sleeping (or care) spaces, or
c) for fixed seating areas, counting the number of seats
Offence
† Section 116B under the BA2004 and Amendments Act 2012 offence to use
building for use for which it is not safe or not sanitary, or if it has inadequate
means of escape from fire
(1)
No person may— (a)
use a building, or knowingly permit another
person to use a building, for a use for which the building is not safe or not
22
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
23
sanitary; or (b) use a building, or knowingly permit another person to
Use a building that has inadequate means of escape from fire.
(2)
A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence.
(3)
A person who commits an offence under this section is liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and, in the case of a continuing
offence, to a further fine not exceeding $10,000 for every day or part of a day
during which the offence has continued
Owner
† Owner In relation to land and any buildings on the land—
(a) means the person who—
(I) is entitled to the rack rent from the land;
or
(ii) would be so entitled if the land were let to a tenant at a rack rent; and
(b)includes—
(I) the owner of the fee simple of the land; and
(ii) any person who has agreed in writing, whether conditionally or
unconditionally, to purchase the land or any leasehold estate or interest
in the land or to take a lease of the land and who is bound by the agreement
because the agreement is still in force
† in relation to a building with a unit plan within the meaning of section 2 of
the Unit Titles Act 1972 that has been deposited , means the body corporate
Penetration
A pipe, cable or duct passing through an opening in a fire separation
P.A.S.S
NZFS ‘ instruction of how to use fire extinguishers’, P- pull the pin, A- aim at
the base of the fire, S- squeeze the handle, S-sweep from side to side
People with disabilities
† A person who has an impairment or a combination of impairments that
limits the extent to which the person can engage in the activities, pursuits,
and processes of everyday life, including, without limitation, any of the
following: (a)
a physical, sensory, neurological, or intellectual impairment
(b) a mental illness
Permanent Building
Has the meaning given in BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012 under the
subheading ‘Meaning of building’ under section, this includes the meaning
given under section 9 which outlines what the meaning does not include
Permanent Occupant
† in relation to a building, means a person, who:
(a) has a place of work in the building; or
(b) lives in the building
† (a) a person:
(I) who has an impairment or a combination of impairments that limits the
extent to which the person can engage in the activities, pursuits, and
processes of everyday life, including, without limitation, any of the
following:
(A) a physical, sensory, neurological, or intellectual impairment
(B) a mental illness; and
(ii) who is unable to sense or understand a fire alarm or
leave a building, during a fire emergency, in a way that
a person without the same disability would be capable
of doing; and
(b) includes any person who considers that he or she would be unable to
leave a building during a fire emergency by using its means of escape
from fire
Person With A Disability
23
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
24
Place Of Safety
Plan and Specification
Prescribed
† Either—
(a) a safe place; or
(b) a place that is inside a building and meets the following requirements:
(I)
the place is constructed with fire separations that have fire
resistance sufficient to withstand burnout at the point of the fire
source
(ii)
the place is in a building that is protected by an automatic fire
sprinkler system that complies with NZS 4541 or NZS 4515 as
appropriate to the building’s use
(iii) the place is designed to accommodate the intended number of
persons
(iv)
the place is provided with sufficient means of escape to enable
the
intended number of persons to escape to a safe place that is
outside
a building
and a ‘place of safety’ outside well clear of the building
† Meaning , specifications— (a) means the drawings, specifications, and
other documents according to which a building is proposed to be
constructed, altered, demolished, or removed; and (b)
includes the
proposed procedures for inspection during the construction, alteration,
demolition, or removal of a
building; and (c) in the case of the construction or alteration of a building,
also includes— (i) the intended use of the building; and (ii)
the
specified systems that the applicant for building consent considers will be required to be in- cluded in a compliance
schedule required under section 100; and
(iii) the proposed inspection, maintenance, and re- porting procedures for
the purposes of the com- pliance schedule for those specified systems
Means prescribed by regulations made under this act
Provision for person(s) with
disabilities
The Building Act 2004 and Amendments Act 2012 under Schedule 2
subheading ‘Buildings in respect of which requirement for provision of access
and facilities for persons with disabilities applies’, under section 118(2)
outlines buildings in respect of which the provision of access and facilities for
persons with disabilities
R.A.S.E
Acronym (international used); instruction of what to do in the event of a fire:
Remove anyone from immediate danger
Alert others, activate the MCP, call the NZFS
Confine smoke by closing doors as you leave
Evacuate immediately- extinguish fire only if it is safe to do so
An application required under the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012
Required Application for
‘relevant building’
Safe Place
Refer ‘place of safety’
The Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2006 use the term
place of safety and allow the place of safety to be within the building provided
that it is protected with a sprinkler system. In this Acceptable Solution a place
of safety can only be within a building in Risk Group SI
Smoke cell
A space within a building, which is enclosed by an envelope of smoke
separation or external walls, roofs, and floors, other example are smoke
curtains and smoke control lift lobbies
A door A door set that complies with Appendix C, C6.1.2 of this acceptable
solution
Smoke control
24
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
25
Single Storey
A dwelling or construction with one level also refer to the meaning of building
Signs and Action Notices
The owner of a building must erect signs and notices at
appropriate places in the building that clearly indicate the evacuation
procedure for the building in accordance with FSEOBR2006
A single direction of escape.
In some cases, a dead end (single direction of escape) is allowed. Whether or
not this is the case, and how far an occupant is allowed to walk without a
choice of alternative routes, depends on the risk presented by the building.
This risk is represented by:
1. The activity 2.The area and height of the building 3.The numbers of
occupants using the dead end 4. Fire safety provided
A fire detection, alarm and control system installed in a building that can
detect and control a fire automatically. The sprinkler operates (water/fine
water mist, water spray release) when the heat from a developing fire raises
the temperature of the sprinkler head to a pre-set level that sets the sprinkler
into action and warn occupants in the building about the fire by triggering
alarms
† Meaning (a)
means a system or feature that—
(i)
is contained in, or attached to, a building; and (ii)
contributes to the
proper functioning of the build- ing (for example, an automatic sprinkler
system);
and (iii)
is declared by the Governor-General, by Order in
Council, to be a specified system for the purposes
of this Act; and (b) includes a cable car
Has the meaning given by the BA2004 and its Amendments Act 2012, under
subheading ‘Meaning of building’ section 8 and 9
Single Means of Escape
Sprinkler System
Specified Systems
Temporary Building
Trial Evacuation
The practice of evacuation of a building required under the FSOBER2006
Travel Distance
The length of the escape route as a whole or the individual lengths of its parts,
namely:
(a) Open paths; (b) Protected paths; and (c) Safe paths
Verification Methods
Verification Method C/VM2 is a framework for Fire Safety design. These
provide a methods of testing or calculations that results in Building Code
compliance
Voluntary Evacuation
Scheme Application
A building may not require an Evacuation Scheme and therefore may not
require NZFS approval. However the building owner may submit a voluntary
application for approval as outlined in FSEOBR 2006 in Part 2—‘Evacuation
Schemes for buildings described in section 21A(1) of the Act’ under subheading,
Part 2—‘Evacuation Schemes for buildings described in section 21A(1) of the
Act’ under subheading, ‘Applications for approval of evacuation scheme’
regulation 22 outlines the prescribed form for voluntary applications
Warden
The Building Warden is responsible for the management of evacuation for the
entire building and the liaison with the NZFS and relevant interested others
Floor/Fire Warden(s) are responsible for the physically search and clearance
of each nominated area and to communicate the status of evacuation to the
Building Warden. In some situations and facilities one person may have to
execute the entirety of both role responsibilities. The role of the warden(s)
must be assigned to a role within the building such as Registered Charge
25
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
26
Nurse, rational: people change buildings and employment- roles often remain
within organisational structure
26
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
27
Appendix D3: Legislative Framework- Resource Information, concerning the
safe evacuation of buildings in the event of fire
The Fire Safety and Evacuation of Building Regulations 2006 (SR2006/123) (FSEOBR 2006) are made
under the Fire Service Act 1975 (FSA1975) and are regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The FSEOBR 2006 is mainly divided in two parts: Part 1—‘Fire Safety for Buildings described in
Schedule 1’, which covers general matters of fire safety and for the types of buildings listed under
Schedule 1, in addition to matters concerning evacuation of buildings. This Schedule lists mainly
buildings that the public can access, but it does include some residential buildings such as rest homes,
groups of pensioner flats, and boarding houses. Part 2—‘Evacuation Schemes for buildings described in
section 21A(1) of the Act’; meaning of the Fire Service Act 1975, Published Act 1975 No 42, and covers
‘Prescribed matters (other than forms)’, Evacuation Schemes and application for approval matters.
FSEOBR 2006, in the same part, subheading ‘Prescribed matters (other than forms)’, regulation 15
outlines additional matters pertaining to Evacuation Scheme requirements. Consideration must be
given to the minimum prescribed hazardous substances specified under Schedule 2*, while under
regulation 16(1) (a-c), 16(2) (a-c) a definition and an outline of prescribed standard for automatic
sprinkler systems is described.
*A copy of Schedule 2 ‘Minimum amounts of hazardous substances for purposes of section 21A (1) (d) of
the Act’, meaning of the Fire Service Act 1975, Published Act 1975 No 42, Part 1 subheading
‘Hazardous substances classified under Hazardous Substances (Classification) Regulation 2001’ and Part
2 subheading ‘Infectious and radioactive substances ‘is provided under Appendix D (6) Legislative
Framework- Resource Information.
The FSEOBR 2006 Part 1:
In accordance with the legislation most non-residential buildings require evacuation procedures,
which outline what to do and how to manage the evacuation. These instructions are to assist
occupants to leave the building in the event of an outbreak of fire.
FSEOBR 2006 Part 1’ Fire Safety for buildings described in Schedule 1’, under the subheading 'Means of
escape from fire for buildings,’ under regulation 4(a-d) outlines the building owner's responsibilities to
maintain all means of escape and regulation 5(a-b) directs that no flammable cleaning liquid and
flammable material is to be stored near or in means of escape from fire in buildings. Flammable
material is defined under subsection 3 ‘Interpretation’ in this regulation. In the same part of the
regulation, under subheading, ‘Evacuation of Building’ the owners responsibilities to ensure that
evacuation procedures are in place to assist in the safe evacuation of occupants in the event of fire is
provided under regulation 6(1) and regulation 6(2), 6(3) (a-c), while the same part of the regulation is
concerned with the availability of evacuation instruction to the occupants. The owner is required to
erect signs and notices clearly indicating the evacuation procedure under regulation 6(4) outlined the
same part and regulation 17(e) in part 2 of FSEOBR 2006 stipulates the requirement for appropriate
numbers of notices and signs to be erected in the building. Schedule 3(1) subheading, ‘Requirements
relating to evacuation schemes’, subheading, ‘Signs and notices’ of the same regulation 1(a-b) directs
the content. This regulation does not apply if the owner of the building has an Evacuation Scheme
approved under 21(C) of the FSA 1975
The regulation 7(a-b) in Part 1 directs that all tenants must follow the evacuation procedures set for
the building. The owner or tenants of certain buildings must have employees trained to assist
occupants to evacuate as outlined under FSEOBR 2006 Part 1’ Fire Safety for buildings described in
Schedule 1’, under the subheading ‘Evacuation of buildings’ regulation 8(1-2) Schedule 4. The Fire
27
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
28
Safety and Evacuation of Building Regulations 2006 (SR2006/123) informs regarding the application
for approval and its required format, ‘Form 1, Form 2’ by the National Commander of the NZFS.
FSEOBR 2006 Part 1 under the heading ’Fire Safety for buildings described in Schedule 1’, under the
subheading ‘Appliance,’ under regulation 9(1-2) directs owners in the handling and precautionary
management of electrical wiring, equipment and appliances. In the same Part under the subheading
‘Open Flame,’ under regulation 10(1-3) directives are given regarding the control of open flames.
Directives concerning the packing and unpacking of goods are outlined in the same Part 1 under the
subheading ‘Packing and unpacking of goods,’ under regulation 11(1-2) while storage guidelines of
certain materials are provided under regulation 12(1-4). Regulation 14 (a-b) under the subheading
‘Offenses’ informs on breaches and its fines.
FSEOBR 2006 Part 1’ Fire Safety for buildings described in Schedule 1’, under the subheading
‘Firefighting equipment for use by building’s occupants,’ under regulation 13(1-2) gives directive
regarding installed equipment.
The FSEOBR 2006 Part 2:
Buildings requiring an Evacuation Scheme to be put in place by the owner subject to approval by the
NZFS. These are described in the Fire Service Act 1975, Published Act 1975 No 42 under subheading
'Fire Safety’, Part 2, subheading, ‘Relevant building defined for purposes of section 21B to 21H ‘under
section 21(A)(1)(a-h). This section defines ‘relevant building’ as a building that meets one or more of
the criteria listed below. If it: 1 provides employment facilities for 10 or more people, 2. is where 100
or more people gather for any purpose, 3. contains hazardous substances in quantities exceeding the
allowed minimum, no matter what the building is being used for, 4. provides early childcare facilities
(other than in a household unit), 5. Provides nursing, medical, or geriatric care (other than in a
household unit) 6. Provides specialised care for people with disabilities (other than in a household
unit), 7. Provides accommodation for people under lawful detention (other than people serving home
detention, community detention, or serving a prison sentence on home detention or on parole). All
Evacuation Scheme requirements and its application(s) are governed by the New Zealand Fire Service
(NZFS).
The FSA 1975, under subheading 'Fire Safety’, Part 2, subheading, ‘Relevant building defined for
purposes of section 21B to 21H’ set out the exclusions for ‘relevant building’, such as a Crown building,
or class of Crown building as specified by the Minister by gazetted notice, and the premises of a
diplomatic mission (as defined in Part 1 of the ‘Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968’,
Schedule 1, The Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations under Article 1(a-e) (and list of relevant
amendments)
The FSA1975 under Part 2, section 21B (1-2) directs the owner to provide and maintain an evacuation
scheme for ‘relevant buildings’. Evacuation Scheme will have the meaning, that complies with the
regulations made under section 92(2) (nd) of the FSA1975. Additional meaning is defined under
section 3(1) ‘Interpretation’ of the FSEOBR 2006.
In accordance with the legislation most non-residential buildings require evacuation procedures to
assist occupants to leave the building in the event of an outbreak of fire. In non "relevant buildings' an
Evacuation Scheme may not be required. Nevertheless the building owner must ensure that
evacuation procedures are in place to assist all occupants to evacuate safely and in a timely manner in
the event of a fire.
28
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
29
A building may not require an Evacuation Scheme and therefore may not require NZFS approval.
However the building owner may submit a voluntary application for approval as outlined in FSEOBR
2006 in Part 2—‘Evacuation Schemes for buildings described in section 21A (1) of the Act’ under
subheading, Part 2—‘Evacuation Schemes for buildings described in section 21A (1) of the Act’ under
subheading, ‘Applications for approval of evacuation scheme’ regulation 22 outlines the prescribed
form for voluntary applications. The contextual content of the evacuation process must be captured in
either the Evacuation Scheme or the Evacuation Procedure Plan.
Where a building requires an Evacuation Scheme, the owner or a representative of the owner (Fire
Safety and Evacuation Consultants) must obtain scheme application approval by NZFS.
The FSEOBR 2006 Part 2—‘Evacuation Schemes for buildings described in section 21A(1) of the Act’
regulation 21(1-2) describes the requirements and processes for existing buildings, relational to
scheme approval application, where in the same regulation 21(3) describes were this regulation does
not apply. Under the same part and subheading under regulation 20 a description of requirements and
its process for approval for new buildings, by the National Commander of the New Zealand Fire
Service (NZFS) is found.
The owner has the responsibility to ensure that in accordance with the FSEOBR 2006 the Evacuation
Scheme is maintained. Under Schedule 3(1-8) subheading ‘Requirements relating to evacuation scheme’
requirements for the provision of Signs and notices, Trial Evacuation Drills, Evacuation Training
Programmes and required notification to the National Commander pertaining the outcome of the drill,
Evacuation Training Programmes.
The FSEOBR 2006 also requires for National Commander, pertaining certain changes to be informed in
writing. These are changes to use and/or occupancy of the building, substantial changes to the
building affecting the means of escape and extensions to the life of the building. Also consult regulation
23—outlines the process to approve or extend evacuation schemes (including time frames), and the
notifications the NZFS must give where an Evacuation Scheme is not approved.
The FSEOBR 2006 Part 2—‘Evacuation Schemes for buildings described in section 21A(1) of the Act’
regulation 21(1-2), subheading 'Evacuation Scheme', and under regulation 17(a-h) required
information to be included in an Evacuation Scheme, while Part 2 of the same regulation under
regulation 18(a-d); describes matters to be included for persons with disability, person with disability
has the meaning as to 3(1) ‘Interpretation’ of the FSEOBR 2006, while in Part 2 of the same regulation
under regulation 19(1-2) matters to be included for certain buildings with automatic sprinkler
systems are outlined.
These Fire Safety and Evacuation of Building Regulation 1992 (SR 1992/361 (Building Act 1991 No
150 relates) were revoked in 2006. Nevertheless, they still apply where a building’s Evacuation
Scheme was approved under the 1992 regulations and the scheme is still being maintained.
Additionally it is consider good practice for Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants to be acquainted
with relevant international legislations, such as ‘International Fire Engineering Guidelines: 2005, ISBN
1741 614 562’.
The International Fire Engineering Guidelines (IFEG) 2005 is used in New Zealand, Australia, Canada
and the United States.
Each country has a Part 0 that is specific to them, while Parts 1 to 3 are common to all countries. Part 1
describes the Fire Engineering Brief that was the result from stakeholders’ meeting
Of particular interest to Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants are building characteristics such as
location, size, shape, structure, management, use, environment, and value. Also of interest are
occupant characteristics such as distribution, state, physical attributes, mental attributes, level of
29
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
30
assistance required, level of assistance available, emergency training, occupant roles, and building
familiarity. Of further importance to Evacuation Consultants are building hazards such as hazardous
materials or processes, unusual exit routes, unsafe practices, ignition sources, and fuel sources.
Chapter 1.8 of the IFEG sets out the 4-stage process of evacuating occupants from a building: (1) from
fire initiation to occurrence of cues; (2) recognition of cues; (3) initiation of movement; and (4) the
completion of movement and arrival at a safe place. These stages are all quantifiable, with input from
Evacuation Consultants and the fire engineer.
Appendix D4 Legislative framework- Resource Information, New Zealand
Building Act 2004 and Amendments Acts 2012, Building Code, Compliance
Schedules and Acceptable Solutions
Appendix D4.1: Importance level, building type specific structure and occupancy
risk classification
The type of building and its important level and its occupancy risk classification are important
classification criteria in the design consideration of evacuation procedures from buildings. Therefore it
is prudent for the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants to be familiar with these legislative
provisions.
Under the New Zealand Building Code and for the purposes of the Building Code, buildings are
classified according to type Clause A1 and set out under Clause A3, in their importance levels.
Type of buildings are grouped into: 2.0 – 2.04 Housing, Detached Dwellings, Multi-unit Dwelling and
Group Dwelling. These are not consistent with risk group and purpose group classifications.






3.0- 3.0.3 (a, b) Communal Residential, Community Service, Community Care, (unrestrained and
restrained)
4.0- 4.0.3 Communal Non Residential, Assembly Service, Assembly Care
5.0- 5.0.1 Commercial
6.0-6.0.1 (a-d) Industrial
7.0- 7.0.1 Outbuildings
8.0- 8.0.1 Ancillary
Importance level 1: Buildings posing low risk to human life or the environment, or a low economic
cost, should the building fail. These are typically small non- habitable buildings, such as sheds, barns,
and the like, that are not normally occupied, though they may have occupants from time to time.
Ancillary buildings not for human habitation and Minor storage facilities Backcountry huts
Importance level 2: Buildings posing normal risk to human life or the environment, or a normal
economic cost, should the building fail. These are typical residential, commercial, and industrial
buildings.
All buildings and facilities except those listed in importance levels 1, 3, 4, and 5
Importance level 3: Buildings of a higher level of societal benefit or importance, or with higher levels
of risk-significant factors to building occupants. These buildings have increased performance
requirements because they may house large numbers of people, vulnerable populations, or occupants
30
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
31
with other risk factors, or fulfil a role of increased importance to the local community or to society in
general.


Buildings where more than 300 people congregate in 1 area
Buildings with primary school, secondary school, or day-care facilities with a capacity greater
than 250
Buildings with tertiary or adult education facilities with a capacity greater than 500
Health care facilities with a capacity of 50 or more residents but not having surgery or
emergency treatment facilities and Jails and detention facilities
Any other building with a capacity of 5 000 or more people
Buildings for power generating facilities, water treatment for potable water, wastewater
treatment facilities, and other public utilities facilities not included in importance level 4
Buildings not included in importance level 4 or 5 containing sufficient quantities of highly toxic
gas or explosive materials capable of causing acutely hazardous conditions that do not extend
beyond property boundaries





Importance level 4: Buildings that are essential to post-disaster recovery or associated with hazardous
facilities.




Hospitals and other health care facilities having surgery or emergency treatment facilities
Fire, rescue, and police stations and emergency vehicle garages
Buildings intended to be used as emergency shelters
Buildings intended by the owner to contribute to emergency preparedness, or to be used for
communication, and operation centres in an emergency, and other facilities required for
emergency response
Power generating stations and other utilities required as emergency backup facilities for
importance level 3 structures
Buildings housing highly toxic gas or explosive materials capable of causing acutely hazardous
conditions, that extend beyond property boundaries
Aviation control towers, air traffic control centres, and emergency aircraft hangars
Buildings having critical national defence functions
Water treatment facilities required to maintain water pressure for fire suppression
Ancillary buildings (including, but not limited to, communication towers, fuel storage tanks or
other structures housing or supporting water or other fire suppression material or equipment)
required for operation of importance level 4 structures during an emergency






Importance level 5: Buildings whose failure poses catastrophic risk to a large area (e.g., 100 km2), or a
large number of people (e.g. 100 000).

Major dams and extremely hazardous facilities
The Acceptable Solutions define risks for use (identified as C/AS within this table below) and so does
‘Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use and Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005 (SR
2005/32’ under Schedule 2 subheading ‘Uses of all or parts of building important categorisation of user
groups related to sleeping activities and related to working, business, or storage activities’ is provided.
Asterisk been applied to categories of purpose groups still been used on BWOF.
Use
31
Spaces or Dwellings and Examples
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
32
SC (Sleeping Care)
SH C/AS1
SM C/AS2
SD (Sleeping Detention)
SI C/AS3
CA C/AS4
SA (Sleeping
Accommodation)
SR (Sleeping Residential)
SH (Sleeping Single Home)
32
* Spaces in which people are provided with special care or treatment
required because of age, or mental or physical limitations (hospitals, or care
institutions for the aged, children, or people with disabilities
Detached houses and buildings subdivided into multiple dwellings, provided
that:
People from each dwelling have their own independent escape route to a safe
place (i.e., their own corridor and stairway), and • The buildings are no more
than two units high (there is no limit on the number of units side by side).
Not included: buildings with any corridor or stairway serving more than one
dwelling, detached boarding houses with facilities for six or more guests (see
risk group SM)
All multiple unit accommodation buildings not included in risk group SH.
Note: there are some minor differences in requirements depending on
whether the accommodation is considered permanent (i.e., the occupants
would be considered to be familiar with the building and its features) or
temporary. Apartments and flats are considered permanent accommodation,
while hotels, motels, hostels, serviced apartments and similar buildings are
considered temporary accommodation.
The Acceptable Solution for this risk group also specifies particular fire safety
requirements for education accommodation, which has been singled out
because of its particular nature. This category includes boarding schools
(both primary and secondary education) and university halls of residence
Not included: Early childhood education (see risk group CA).
* Spaces in which people are detained or physically restrained (care
institutions for the aged, children, and with physical restraint or detention,
hospitals with physical restraint or with detention quarters, detention
quarters in police stations, prisons
All buildings or spaces where care is provided to occupants that are
incapacitated in some way, are unable to evacuate unaided for any other
reason, or would be delayed in their evacuation.
It includes detention spaces in police stations and courthouses (but not
prisons) and hospitals (excluding special care facilities such as places using
general anaesthetic, hyperbaric chambers etc.), residential care homes and
hospices. It also includes clinics that provide medical day treatment that
requires the incapacitation/sedation of those undergoing the treatment; for
example, by kidney dialysis, dental procedures or chemotherapy.
Not included: Early childhood education (see risk group CA)
Buildings or places where people congregate or visit, including any place
where people are given treatment but are not incapacitated in any way.
This includes halls, recreation centres, public libraries (as long as the lending
items can be accessed by an adult standing on the floor), cinemas, theatres,
shops, places providing personal services, (such as beautician and
hairdressing salons), day schools, restaurants, cafes and early childhood
centres. It also includes dental and doctors’ surgeries, provided those
undergoing treatment are not incapacitated.
Not included: Dentists’ and doctors’ practices where patients are
incapacitated such as with sedation (see risk group SI)
* Spaces providing transient accommodation, or where limited assistance or
care is provided for people (motels , hospitals, hostels, boarding houses,
clubs, (residential) boarding schools, dormitories, halls whrenui
* Attached and multi-unit residential dwellings, including household units
attached to spaces or dwellings with the same or other uses, such as
caretakers’ flats, residential accommodation above a shop (dwellings or
houses separated from each other by distance
* Detached dwellings where people live as a single household or family,
including attached self-contained spaces such as granny flat when occupied
by member of the same family, garages (weather detached or part of the same
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
33
WB C/AS5
WS C/AS6
WL (Working Low)
WM (Working Medium)
WH (Working High)
WH (Working Fast)
VP C/AS7
building) if primarily for storage of the occupants’ vehicles, tools and garden
implements (dwellings or houses separated from each other by distance
Places where people work, such as offices (including those providing
professional services such as law, engineering and accountancy offices),
factories and manufacturing plants (except where foamed plastics are part of
the process), laboratories and workshops. It also includes storage areas, as
long as the storage is less than 5.0 m high.
Not included: places where personal, rather than professional, services are
provided (see risk group CA), manufacturing plants where foamed plastic is
part of the process (see risk group WS or use C/VM2), warehouses or storage
areas with storage height 5.0 m or greater (see risk group WS, or use C/VM2
if non sprinkled)
Buildings where large quantities of commodities are stored or where the risk
is higher than in other risk groups. This includes warehouses where the
height of storage is 5.0 m or greater, climate-controlled stores where the
storage height is 3.0 m or greater, and buildings that are used for trading or
bulk retail where the products are stored at a height of 3.0 m or more above
the floor
* Spaces used for working, business, or storage – low fire load (places for
manufacturing, processing, or storage of non-combustible materials or
materials having as low release rate, cool stores, banks, shops
* Spaces used for working, business, or storage – medium fire load and slow,
medium, or fast fire growth rates ( places for manufacturing and processing
of combustible materials not listed in the rows related WL, WH, or WF
including bulk storage up to 3m high excluding foamed plastics
* Chemical manufacturing or places of manufacturing or processing plants,
distilleries, plastics manufacturing places or bulk storage of combustible
materials over 3 m high (excluding foamed plastics)
* Spaces used for working, business, or storage – medium or fire load and
ultra-fast fire growth rates ( areas involving significant quantities of highly
combustible and flammable or explosive materials which because of their
inherent characteristics constitute a special fire hazard, including plants for
flammable liquids or gases, bulk storage warehouses for flammable
substances, and places for bulk storage of foamed plastics
Any place where vehicles are parked or stored. This includes car, truck and
bus parks as well as light aircraft hangars. These can be within a building
used for other purposes or their own separate building.
Not included: car showrooms with fewer than six cars (see risk group CA)
Appendix D4.2 Buildings in respect of which requirement for provision of access
and facilities for persons with disabilities applies’, under section 118(2)
The Building Act 2004 and Amendments Act 2012 under Schedule 2 subheading ‘Buildings in respect of
which requirement for provision of access and facilities for persons with disabilities applies’, under
section 118(2) outlines buildings in respect of which the provision of access and facilities for persons
with disabilities apply are, without limitation, as follows:
(a) land, sea, and air passenger transport terminals and facilities
And interchanges, whether wholly on land or otherwise:
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
33
public toilets wherever situated:
banks:
childcare centres and kindergartens:
day-care centres and facilities:
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
34
(f)
commercial buildings and premises for business and professional purposes, including computer
centres:
(g) central, regional, and local government offices and facilities:
(h) courthouses:
(i)
Police stations:
(j)
hotels, motels, hostels, halls of residence, holiday cabins, groups of pensioner flats, boarding
houses, guest houses, and other premises providing accommodation for the public:
(k) hospitals, whether public or private, and rest homes:
(l)
medical and dental surgeries, and medical and paramedical and other primary health care
centres:
(m) educational institutions, including public and private primary, intermediate, and secondary
schools, universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions:
(n) libraries, museums, art galleries, and other cultural institutions:
(o) churches, chapels, and other places of public worship:
(p) places of assembly, including auditoriums, theatres, cinemas, halls, sports stadiums, conference
facilities, clubrooms, recreation centres, and swimming baths:
(q) shops, shopping centres, and shopping malls:
(r) restaurants, bars, cafeterias, and catering facilities:
(s) showrooms and auction rooms:
(t) public laundries:
(u) petrol and service stations:
(v) funeral parlours:
(w) television and radio stations:
(x) car parks, parking buildings, and parking facilities:
(y) factories and industrial buildings where more than 10 persons are employed:
(z) Other buildings, premises, or facilities to which the public are to be admitted, whether for free or
on payment of a charge.
Compare: 1991 No 150 s 47A (4)
Appendix D4.3 Specified Systems
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment latest Amendment 2013 to the Building Code
came into force on the 14 February 2014.
The Building Code outlines in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 1992 (BR1992) and sets out
performance standards for all new building work. These performance standards are to be met and
cover aspects such as stability, protection from fire, access, moisture, safety of users, services and
facilities, and energy efficiency.
Identification of these ‘specified systems’ is required at building consent stage and the information is
included in a Code Compliance Schedule. This schedule lists all specific life safety systems in the
building and must be routinely maintained. Part 2 of the BA 2004 and its Amendments Act 2012
outlines under section 100-107 matters relating to the Code Compliance Schedule (CCC). A Compliance
Schedule is an inventory of all the specified systems in the building and lists their performance
standards. In the same Act under Section 103 all specified systems have to state details about
inspections, maintenance, and reporting.
On the anniversary of the issue of the code compliance certificate or a certificate of acceptance, the
building owner must provide a statement to the Territorial Authority that they have reported, tested
and maintained specified systems listed on the compliance schedule.
Specified systems include:
34
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
35
















SS1 Automatic systems fire-suppression (1) automatic sprinkler systems or systems of
automatic protection (1), including automatic protection gas/foam
SS2 Automatic and manual emergency warning systems for fire and other dangers (2.1)
emergency warning systems for fire or other dangers (2.1), and automatic gas detection (2.2)
automatic doors
SS3 Electromagnetic and automatic doors and windows (3.1) access-controlled doors (3.2),
and interfaced fire/smoke doors/windows (3.3)
SS4 Emergency lighting systems (4) emergency lighting systems
SS5 Escape route and pressurisation systems (5) pressurisation systems (stairs, lift shaft)
SS6 Riser mains for use by fire services (6) riser mains for fire service use
SS7 Automatic back-flow preventers connected a potable water supplies (7) any automatic
back-flow prevention connected to a potable water supply
SS8 Lifts, escalators, travellators and other systems used to move people or goods within
buildings (8.1) a lift that carries passengers), a service lift (8.2), and escalators and moving
walkways (8.3)
SS9 Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems (9) mechanical ventilation and air
conditioning systems
SS10 Building maintenance units that provide access to buildings’ exterior and interior walls of
buildings (9.10) building maintenance units that provide access to the exterior and interior
walls of buildings
SS11 Laboratory fume cupboards (11) fume cupboards audio loops or other listening
systems
SS12 Audio loops and other assistive listening systems (12.1) and FM radio frequency/infrared
systems (12.2)
SS13 Smoke-control systems (13) smoke control systems, including mechanical (13.1), natural
smoke control (13.2), and smoke curtains (13.3)
SS14 Emergency power systems for, or signs relating to, a system or specified in any SS1 to
SS13 above, Clauses 1 to 13 (14), emergency power/signs systems for, or signs relating to, a
system or feature specified in any of including an emergency power system (14.1) and signs
(14.2)
SS15 Other fire safety systems or features (systems for communication information intended
to facilitate evacuation, final exits, fire separations, signs, fire separation) (15) other fire
systems, including (a) communication for evacuation, (b) final exits (as defined by clause A2 of
the Building Code), (c) fire separations, (d) signs for communicating information intended to
facilitate evacuation; and (e) smoke separations.
SS16 Cable cars
For further information about section 175, see the ‘Compliance Schedule Handbook’ issued by the
Department of Building and Housing (part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
as at 1 July 2012).
Appendix D4.4 Building Code Clauses C, D, F, relevant to fire safety in buildings





35
Clause C4.1 and C4.2 provision for movement to place of safety
Clause D1 Access Routes
D1.1 (a) safeguard people from injury during movement into, with and out of buildings. D1.1 (c)
ensure that people with disabilities are able to enter and carry out normal activities and
functions within buildings.
Clause D1.3.3 (d) have an adequate slip- resistant walking surfaces under all conditions of
normal use.
Clause D1.3.4(a) be easy to find, as required by Clause F8 ‘Signs’
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
36



Cause F3.1, F3.2, F3.3 Hazardous substances and processes
Clause F6 Visibility in Escape routes
F6.3.3(c) clinical areas of hospitals F6.3.4 continuous visibility of 30 minutes after failure of
main lighting is required, F6.3.3(d) prisons and other buildings in which people are detained,
F6.3.3(e) any part of an escape route designed for use at any time by more than 250 people.
F6.3.6 Signs to indicate escape routes must be provided as required by Clause F8 ‘ Signs’

F7.2 Buildings shall be provided with appropriate means of warning people to escape to a safe
place (in an emergency)
F7.3.1 A means of warning must alert people of emergency in adequate time for them to reach
safe place.
F7.3.2 Appropriate means of detection and warning from fire must be provided within each
household unit
F7.3.3 Appropriate means of warning for fire and other emergencies must be provided in
buildings as necessary to satisfy the other performance requirements of this code
Clause F8 Signs
F8.1(a,b,c) safeguard people from injury and illness resulting from inadequate identification of
escape routes, or hazards within or about the building, safeguard people from loss of amenity
due to inadequate direction and ensure that people with disabilities arable to carry out normal
activities and processes within the building.
F8.2 (a-d) Signs must be provided in and about buildings to identify (a) escape routes, (b)
emergency related safety features, (c) potential hazards and (d) accessible routes and facilities
for people with disabilities
F8.3.1 Signs must be clearly visible and readily understandable under all conditions of
foreseeable use, including emergency conditions
F8.3.2 Signs identifying potential hazards must be provided and located so that people
encounter the signs before encountering the potential hazard
F8.3.3 Signs to facilitate escape to a place of safety must be provided and (a) be located to
identify the escape routes and (b) continue to meet the performance requirement in Clause
F8.3.1 during failure of main lighting for a period required by performance F6.3.4 and
performance F6.3.5
F8.3.4 Signs must be provided and located to identify accessible routes and facilities provided
for people with disabilities
F8.3.4 Accessible routes must be identified with the international Symbol of Access











Additional resource information in relation to fire protection can be found under the New Zealand
Building Code, Clause B1- Structure, Clause B2 – Durability, Clauses C1 –Objectives of Clauses C2 C6 Protection from Fire and A3 Building Importance Levels, published by the Department of
Building and Housing. The full Building Code is contained in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations
1992.
The objectives of clauses C2 to C6 are to: (a) safeguard people from an unacceptable risk of injury
or illness caused by fire, (b) protect other property from damage caused by fire, and (c) facilitate
firefighting and rescue operations. This publication covers C2—Prevention of Fire Occurring, C3—
Fire Affecting Areas beyond the Fire Source, C4—Movement to Place of Safety, C5—Access and
Safety for Firefighting Operations, C6—Structural Stability and Clause A3 Building Importance
Levels
Another recommended comprehensive source of legislative information to gain familiarity in
building matters for Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants is the book ‘Brookers Building Law
Handbook 2014’, published by Thomson Reuters New Zealand Ltd. and the New Zealand Building
Code Handbook.
36
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
37
37
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
38
Appendix D5: Hand-operated fire-fighting equipment
Fire is divided into six classes (lettered A to F) for the purpose of effective fire fighting:
1. Class A—wood, paper, and plastics
2. Class B—flammable liquids (such as petrol, diesel, and oil)
3. Class C—flammable gases
4. Class D—combustible metals (for example, like those producing a magnesium fire)
5. Class E—electrical fires
6. Class F—fires involving cooking oils and fats.
Fire extinguisher class, its-use-on and preferred extinguishant
Some extinguishers are more suitable than others for putting out the different classes of fires. The
table below lists preferred extinguishants for given risks. Material Safety Data Sheets may provide
extra detail.
Risk Preferred
Class A—Perceived Clothing fire a fire in the clothes being worn Water by a person, preferred
extinguishant: Fire blanket
Class A— Perceived Small carbonaceous solids fire, preferred extinguishant: Water, Foam, ABE
powder wet chemical Vaporising liquid Carbon dioxide (limited)
Class A— Perceived Large carbonaceous solids fire, preferred extinguishant: Water Foam, ABE
powder
Class B— Perceived Petroleum-based liquid, preferred extinguishant: BE and ABE powder Foam,
Vaporising liquid (limited) Carbon dioxide (limited)
Class B— Perceived Polar solvents, preferred extinguishant: BE and ABE powder Alcohol-resistant
foam
Vaporising liquid (limited) Carbon dioxide (limited)
Class C— Perceived Gas fires, preferred extinguishant: BE and ABE powder
Class D— Perceived Metal fires, preferred extinguishant: Special powder
Class E— Perceived Fire involving energised electrical equipment, preferred extinguishant: ABE and
BE powder Carbon dioxide Vaporising liquid
Class F— Perceived Cooking oils and fats fires, preferred extinguishant: Wet chemical BE powder Fire
blanket Foam (limited)
38
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
39
Appendix D6: Hazardous substances
In the list below we list hazardous substances, their classification, and their threshold quantity.
Property and state of substance: Explosive
Classification: 1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.1D, 1.1E, 1.2B, 1.2C, 1.2D, 1.2E, 1.2F, 1.2G, 1.2H, 1.2I, 1.2J, 1.2K, or 1.2L
Threshold quantity: 5 kg,
Classification: 1.3C, 1.3F, 1.3G, 1.3H, 1.3J, 1.3K, or 1.3L
Threshold quantity: 10 kg
Classification: 1.4B, 1.4C, 1.4D, 1.4E, 1.4F, 1.4G, 1.4S, 1.5D, or 1.6N
Threshold quantity: 20 kg
Property and state of substance: Flammable (gas)
Classification: 2.1.1A
Threshold quantity: 30 kg or 20 m3
Classification: 2.1.1B
Threshold quantity: 100kgor60m3
Classification: 2.1.2A
Threshold quantity: 300 L
Property and state of substance: Flammable (liquid)
Classification: 3.1A
Threshold quantity: 10L
Classification: 3.1B
Threshold quantity: 100 L
Classification: 3.1C or 3.1D
Threshold quantity: 1000L
Classification: 3.2A, 3.2B, or 3.2C
Threshold quantity: 10L
Property and state of substance: Flammable (solid)
Classification: 4.1.1A 4.1.1B
Threshold quantity: 10 kg
Classification: 4.1.1B
Threshold quantity: 100 kg
Property and state of substance: Classification: Flammable (substance)
Classification: 4.1.2A or 4.1.2B
Threshold quantity: 5 kg or 5 L
Classification: 4.1.2C or 4.1.2D
Threshold quantity: 10 kg or 10 L
Classification: 4.1.2E or 4.1.2F, or4.1.2G
Threshold quantity: 20 kg or 20 L
Property and state of substance: Classification: Flammable (solid)
Classification: 4.1.3A or 4.1.3B, or 4.1.3C
Threshold quantity: 10 kg
Property and state of substance: Classification: Flammable (substance)
Classification: 4.2A
Threshold quantity: 10 kg or 10 L
Classification: 4.2B
Threshold quantity: 100 kg or 100L
Classification: 4.2C
Threshold quantity: 1000 kg or 1000L
39
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
40
Hazardous substances (continues)
Property and state of substance: Flammable (solid)
Classification: 4.3A
Threshold quantity: 10 kg
Classification: 4.3B
Threshold quantity: 100 kg
Classification: 4.3C
Threshold quantity: 1000 kg
Property and state of substance: Capacity to oxidise (liquid or solid)
Classification: 5.1.1A
Threshold quantity: 5 kg
Classification: 5.1.1B
Threshold quantity: 50 kg
Classification: 5.1.1C
Threshold quantity: 500 kg
Property and state of substance: Capacity to oxidise (gas)
Classification: 5.1.2A
Threshold quantity: 10 kg or 10 m3
Property and state of substance: Capacity to oxidise
Classification: 5.2A or 5.2B
Threshold quantity: 1 kg or 1 L
Classification: 5.2C or 5.2D
Threshold quantity: 5 kg or 5 L
Classification: 5.2E or 5.2F
Threshold quantity: 10 kg or 10L
Property and state of substance: Toxic (substance)
Classification: 6.1A, 6.1B, or 6.1C
Threshold quantity: 10 kg or 10 L
Property and state of substance: Toxic (gas)
Classification: 6.1A, 6.1B, or 6.1C
Threshold quantity: 0.5 kg or 2.5 m3
Property and state of substance: Toxic
Classification: 6.1D
Threshold quantity: 100 kg
Property and state of substance: Corrosive (substance)
Classification: 8.1A or 8.2A
Threshold quantity: 10 kg or 10 L
Property and state of substance: Corrosive (gas)
Classification: 8.1A or 8.2A
Threshold quantity: 0.5 kg or 0.25 m3
Property and state of substance: Corrosive (substance)
Classification: 8.2B
Threshold quantity: 100kg or 100L
Property and state of substance: Corrosive (gas)
Classification: 8.2B
Threshold quantity: 5 kg or 2.5 m3
40
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
41
Hazardous substances (continues)
Property and state of substance: Corrosive (substance)
Classification: 8.2C or 8.3A
Threshold quantity: 1000kg or 1000L
Infectious and radioactive substances
The table below lists infectious and radioactive substances, their hazard description, and their threshold
quantity.
Infectious
Infectious Risk Group 3 micro-organisms as defined in AS/NZS 2243.3:2002 Safety in laboratories—
Microbiological aspects and containment facilities
Any amount
Ionizing radioactive material
Category 1, 2, or 3 radionuclide as listed in Table 2 of Appendix 1 of International Atomic Energy Agency Safety
Standards Series No RS- G-1.9 Categorization of Radioactive Sources (as at the commencement of these
regulations)
Please provide all details as required. Any amount.
Appendix D7: Types of building fire safety systems
Types of fire safety
precautions
1Domestic smoke alarm
system
2 Manual fire alarm system
3 Automatic fire alarm
system activated by heat
detectors and manual call
points (MCP)
4 Automatic fire alarm
system activated by smoke
detectors and manual call
points
5 Automatic fire alarm
system with modified
smoke detection and
manual call points
41
Descriptions
A stand-alone domestic/residential type automatic smoke detection system
with limited coverage that activates automatically in the presence of smoke
and is for use only within single household units. This system may be battery
powered and has detectors and alerting devices. The system is restricted to a
single fire cell and does not have a connection to the NZFS or an indicating
unit
An alarm system that is activated only by someone operating a manual call
point. It is a single or multiple-zone system with an alarm panel, providing a
zone index diagram and defect warning and suitable for connection to the
NZFS
A detection and fire alarm system that activates automatically when a predetermined temperature is exceeded in the space, and can be activated
manually at any time
A detection and fire alarm system that activates automatically in the presence
of smoke, and can be activated manually at any time
A variation of the Type 4 and Type 7 alarm systems permitting part of the
smoke detection component to comprise only a local alarm. The local alarm
system, activated by the presence of smoke, has audible alerting devices to
warn only the fire cell occupants and the building management, where such
management exists.
The local alarm component of a Type 5 system:
Is restricted to single fire cells containing sleeping accommodation, being
household units in purpose group SR or individual suites in purpose group in
SA. The local alarm system shall not extend to other areas such as exit ways or
common spaces (which shall retain a Type 4 smoke detection system)
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
42
shall be permitted only where a fire detection and alarm system activated by
heat detectors (part of the main alarm system) is also installed in sleeping fire
cells that do not already have a sprinkler system
6 Automatic fire sprinkler
system with manual call
points
An automatic fire detection, alarm and control system which, when a
specified temperature is exceeded in the space, activates the sprinkler head in
the affected area and includes alerting devices throughout the building. The
system permits alerting devices to be activated manually
7 Automatic fire sprinkler
system with smoke
detectors and manual call
points
An automatic fire alarm system with the same characteristics as a Type 6
alarm plus an automatic smoke detection system. The fire alarm signal
resulting from smoke detection does not need to be directly transmitted to
the NZFS
8 Voice communication
system
An automatic system with variable tone alerting devices and the facility to
deliver voice messages to occupants that allows two-way communication
between emergency services personnel
9 Smoke control in airhandling system
10 Natural smoke venting
11 Mechanical smoke
extract
'EWIS’ or as it is called ‘Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System'
is an enhanced communication system, alerting of the event of fire and
directing the evacuation process. These are best suitable for larger and or
complex buildings with diverse occupancy needs and requirements for
multiple simultaneously responses. Instead of a whole building receiving the
alert the building is divided into zones. (areas, levels, floors) The affected area
and subsequent zones depending on the buildings evacuation management
strategy receive a tailored message guiding the response within each zone to
the emergency. Instructions examples for areas of origin: ‘Evacuate the
building immediately ’, instruction for adjacent non affected fire cell ‘Ready to
receive’, ‘ instruction for the next safe fire cell ‘wait for instruction’
Under NZS 4512:2010 this system needs to comply with AS2220 Part1: 1989
and must be installed to AS 1670.4:2004
Heating, ventilating or air-conditioning systems if installed in buildings, that
shall control spread of smoke by having: self-contained duct smoke detectors
with provision for output signal/alarm generally complying with AS/NZS
1668: Part 1 and interfacing with any Type 3, 4, or 7 system installed or fire
alarm and warning systems Type 3, 4 or 7 as a means of smoke detection, in
line with NZS 4512 to provide ancillary function output for control of the
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning system
A method of smoke extraction where a fire cell is provided with a smoke
reservoir, and with outlet vents and fresh air inlets that open automatically
when activated by the smoke detection system. Smoke movement is by
natural draught. Type 10 requirements apply only to common spaces (such as
an atrium) in fire cells with intermediate floors.
Mechanical smoke extract uses fans in place of the natural draught relied
upon in Type 10. The fire cell shall have smoke reservoirs. Type 11
requirements apply only to the common space in fire cells with intermediate
floors
12 Deleted
13 Pressurisation of safe
paths
42
Pressurisation methods and installation shall comply with AS/NZS 1668: Part
1 section 9. The system shall be automatically activated by smoke detectors,
and shall keep the safe paths free of smoke for sufficient time to allow
occupants to reach a safe place, and in no case for less than 60 minutes.
Pressurisation methods and installation shall comply with AS/NZS 1668: Part
1 section 9. The system shall be automatically activated by smoke detectors,
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
43
14 Fire hose reels
15 Fire Service lift control
16 Emergency lighting in
exit ways
(Systems providing
Visibility)
18 Fire hydrant system
19 Refuge areas
20 Fire systems centre
and shall keep the safe paths free of smoke for sufficient time to allow
occupants to reach a safe place, and in no case for less than 60 minutes
Fire hose reels shall comply with AS/NZS 1221, and the distribution,
installation and maintenance with NZS 4503, except that the maximum hose
length shall be 36 m. Fire hose reels shall not be installed in vertical safe
paths (refer to amendment in 2012)
The Fire Service lift control where required, shall enable the NZFS to have
exclusive use of any lift for fire-fighting purposes. Once a Type 15 FSP is
required for any level in a building, it shall be applied to all levels
Emergency lighting shall comply with F6/AS1. Such lighting is required
where occupants (particularly crowd and sleeping purpose groups) would
find it difficult to reach a safe place because of a mains power supply failure.
When required by Table 4.1 in F6/AS1, the minimum provision is for
emergency lighting to be installed in all exit ways. However, emergency
lighting will also be needed in open paths for other spaces such as public
buildings with over 1000 people in each fire cell and in rest homes or
hospitals
The emergency power supply is necessary to ensure essential equipment
(such as smoke control systems, emergency lighting and lifts) continues to
operate during an evacuation. The requirement applies generally to tall
buildings (over 58m) with sleeping accommodation or crowds (refer to
amendment in 2012)
Fire hydrant systems need to comply with NZS 4510 ‘Fire hydrant systems for
buildings’. Once a Type 18 Fire Safety Precaution is required for any level in a
building, it shall be applied to all levels. This FSP refers only to internal
hydrant systems where the outlets are normally located in a stair tower
Refuge areas are required within safe paths in tall buildings (over 58m)
where congestion is likely to occur. They also provide an opportunity for
slow-moving occupants to rest without restricting the movement of others
A facility for Fire Service use in buildings over 58m, or buildings over 25m
that contain sleeping, which shall:
be readily accessed from street level and located in a position to be
determined in consultation with the NZFS
be protected from the effects of fire including debris falling from an upper
floor
Contain all control panels indicating the status of fire safety systems installed
in the building, together with all control switches.
All fire safety systems to superseded standards are deemed acceptable
provided they work as originally intended. Repairs can be legally made to
existing systems, but extensions are not permitted. For example, a damaged
CMS unit can be replaced but not added to a building extension or new
building.
Hold open devices must be controlled by smoke detectors. The smoke
detectors may be installed purely to control the hold open device or may be
part of another smoke detection system installed in the building. Hold-open
devices, may also be controlled by activating other fire safety precautions, but
this is extra to the main fitted smoke detectors. Devices may be wired to
smoke detectors that are independent of the fire alarm system or to those
integral with the device. These devices may operate independently of any
other hold open device. Not all devices will release if the entire alarm system
(with ancillary systems) is activated, as the fire panel may be programmed to
release each device individually
Appendix D8: Useful Web Links
43
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
44
A list of useful industry relevant links to websites for the Fire Safety and Evacuation Consultants.
Web Link
Descriptions
http://www.aon.com/newzealand/products-andservices/by-specialty/riskservices/property-riskmanagement/property-risk-management.jsp
Aon Sprinkler Certification
Aon New Zealand is part of the global Aon
Corporation; a company focused on insurance
broking, risk management, and associated
services. Aon
New Zealand is a Sprinkler System Certifier
(SSC)
BRANZ Limited
A body that provides an independent and
unbiased research, testing, consultancy and
information resource for the building and
construction industry to customers in New
Zealand, Australia, and globally
New Zealand Building Disputes Tribunal
A tribunal that provides adjudication,
arbitration and mediation services to help
parties resolve building and construction
disputes. activated manually at any time
Confederation of Fire Protection Associations
International (CFPA-I) (hosted on National
Fire Protection Association website)
A body of leading fire protection organisations
worldwide that have joined forces to
collectively direct their resources at reducing
the global fire problem and increasing life
safety
MBIE - Building and Housing (New Zealand)
As of 1 July 2012 a new ministry - the Ministry
of Business, Innovation and Employment - was
created from the merger of the Ministry of
Economic Development, the Ministry of
Science and Innovation, the Department of
Labour, and the Department of Building and
Housing, Department of Labour Occupational
Safety and Health
Environmental Protection Authority A
government department responsible for
regulatory functions concerning New
Zealand’s environmental management
United Kingdom Fire Protection Association
The United Kingdom’s national fire safety
organisation that seeks to identify and draw
attention to (1) the dangers of fire, and (2) the
fire prevention measures (so as to minimise
the potential for loss)
Fire Protection Association Australia
Australia’s largest organisation seeking to
promote fire awareness and the work of the
fire protection industry
Fire Protection Association Inc. New Zealand
New Zealand Fire Service
http://www.branz.co.nz/
http://www.buildingdisputestribunal.co.nz/
http://www.cfpa-i.org/
http://www.dbh.govt.nz/
http://www.building.govt.nz/
http://www.epa.govt.nz/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.thefpa.co.uk/fpa_home/
http://www.fpaa.com.au/http://www.fireprotection.org.nz/
http://www.fireprotection.org.nz/
http://www.fire.org.nz/
44
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
45
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz
http://www.nfpa.org
https://onlineservices.fire.org.nz/home/evacuationschemes
http://www.whatstheplanstan.govt.nz/non-natural
http://www.pfpa.com.au/
http://www.sfpe.org/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency
Management
This site has some resources for evacuation
planning and management. The focus is mass
evacuation, but building evacuation gets a
mention
United States National Fire Protection
Association
An association that seeks to reduce the
worldwide burden of fire and other hazards
on the quality of life by providing and
advocating scientifically- based consensus
codes and standards, research, training, and
education
New Zealand Fire Service evacuation scheme,
NZFS website page for lodgement of
evacuation schemes: allows schemes to be
lodged online and provides information on
how to complete and submit an application for
an Evacuation Scheme, provides copies of the
forms for approval, notification, and
maintenance
Non-natural disasters A section of a Civil
Defence website on emergency planning
Passive Fire Protection Alliance (Australia)
An alliance that provides fire safety
engineering for performance-based building
solutions. It focuses on new science and
philosophies about how best to contain and
control fire. One change has been a move to
significantly reduce passive fire protection
systems if active fire protection features, such
as sprinklers, are on site.
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
A society that seeks to advance the science and
practice of fire protection engineering and its
allied fields, to maintain a high ethical
standard among its members, and to foster
fire protection engineering education.
Standards New Zealand. A body that develops
standards and other specifications to improve
the quality of goods and services, facilitate
trade and commerce, and promote safety,
health and welfare
Appendix D9 Recommended Reading Resources
Part D of this Code while comprehensive in technical and legislative frame work information,
references rich and extensive in recommended reading resources, these are not an exhaustive ‘list’ of
resource information in relation to Fire Safety. The recommended reading is particular relevant to Fire
Safety and Evacuation Consultants working in complex buildings, buildings with classification for the
purpose of this code of L3, L4.
45
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
46
Recommended reading and legislative framework web links
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2004/0072/latest/DLM3
06036.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2005/0032/latest
/DLM313966.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2006/0123/latest
/DLM382016.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1975/0042/latest/DLM4
32648.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0089/latest/DLM7
9501.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0096/latest/DLM2
78829.html
http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-anddisability-system/certification-health-care-services/health-anddisability-services-safety-act
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/81342-2008nzs-health-and-disability-services-restraint-minimisation.pdf
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2012/0120/latest/result
sin.aspx?search=sw_096be8ed81055930_Evacuation+Scheme_25_se
&p=1
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2008/0204/latest
/DLM1412501.html
http://www.education.govt.nz/school/property/state-schools/designstandards/fire-safetydesign/http://www.education.govt.nz/school/property/stateschools/design-standards/fire-safety-design/
http://www.dol.govt.nz/workplace/knowledgebase/item/1496
46
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
Building Act 2004 and
Amendments Act 2012
(Building Regulations
1992)
Building (Specified
Systems, Change of
Use, and EarthquakeProne buildings)
Regulations 2005
Fire Safety and
Evacuation of Buildings
Regulations 2006
Fire Service Act 1975
Hazardous Substances
and New Organisms
Amendment Act 2000
Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992,
under this Act, relevant
section to consider are
clause 6, 6(e). This Act
will be superseded by
the Health and Safety
in Work Act
Health and Disability
Services (Safety) Act
2001
New Zealand Standard
Health and Disability
Services (Restrained
and Minimisation Safe
Practice) Standard NZS
8134.2:2008
Sale and Supply of
Alcohol Act 2012
Education Early
Childhood Service
Regulations 2008
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Business
Innovation &
47
http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/search?query=Fire+emergency+planing
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
47
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
Employment (MBIE)
‘Health & Safety in
Work Act 2015’
supersede the ‘Health
and Safety in
Employment Act 1992’
Evacuation of
Buildings, AS 3745—
2010, planning for
emergencies in
facilities
New Zealand Standard,
NZS 4512:2010, ‘Fire
Detection and Alarm
Systems in Buildings’,
superseding NZS4512:
2003
New Zealand Standard,
NZS 4541:2013—
‘Automatic fire
sprinkler systems’,
superseding NZS4541:
2007
New Zealand Standard,
NZS 4515:2009—‘Fire
sprinkler systems for
life safety in sleeping
occupancies (up to 2000
m3)’, superseding
NZS4515: 2009
New Zealand Standard
NZS 4517:2010—‘Fire
sprinkler systems for
houses’ superseding
NZS4517: 2002
New Zealand Standard
NZS 4503:2005—‘Hand
operated firefighting
Equipment’
superseding NZS4503:
1993
New Zealand Standard
NZ4520 Fire—Resistant
Door sets NZS
4520:2010 superseding
AS/NZS1905.1: 1997
New Zealand Standard
‘Fire hydrant systems
for buildings’
48
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.standards.co.nz/
http://www.asfp.org.uk
https://gazette.govt.nz/
48
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)
NZS 4510:2008
superseding NZS4510:
1998
Fire Hose Reels in
accordance with
AS/NZS 1221:1997
New Zealand Standard
NZS 4121:2001—‘
‘Design for Access and
Mobility- Buildings and
associated Facilities’
(Level 4 certification)
superseding NZS4121:
1989 and NZMP 4122:
1989
‘The use of ventilation
and air-conditioning in
buildings’ AS/NZS
1668.1: 1998 (Part 1
‘Fire smoke control in
multicompetent
buildings’ section 9
subheading ‘Fire
Isolated Exit
Pressurization' on)
superseding AS1668.1:
1991
‘Safety in laboratories,
‘Part 3 Microbiological
Safety and
Containment’ AS/NZS
2243.3:2010,
superseding AS/NZS
2243.3:2003
AS/NZS ISO
31000:2009 ‘Risk
Management—
Principles and
guidelines’,
superseding AS/NZS
ISO 4360:2004
Association for
Specialist Fire
Protection (ASFP)
‘ASFP Guide to
Inspection passive fire
protection for Fire risk
Assessors’
The New Zealand
Gazette
49
Additional Resource information: International Fire Engineering Guidelines 2005’ ISBN 1741614562,
Chapter 1.8 of these guidelines discusses occupant evacuation and control in detail.
49
© 2015 Fire Protection Association New Zealand Inc. (FPANZ)