Description

In 2012 new fire protection clauses for the New Zealand Building Code, C1 to C6 Protection from Fire, replaced the existing clauses C1 to C4 Fire Safety. These were supported with a new set of Acceptable Solutions C/AS1 – C/AS7 and a Verification Method C/VM2. After an initial transition period, the new clauses, Acceptable Solutions and Verification Method took full effect from 10 April 2013.

One of the main reasons for these changes was that existing fire safety clauses were not specific enough, making it difficult for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) and Territorial Authorities (TAs) to determine the levels of performance building work should achieve to comply with the New Zealand Building Code. As a result, there were differences of interpretation between BCAs and TAs on the one hand and building consent applicants on the other.

Scope

This guide is mainly for BCAs and TAs to help decide how much information to request about existing buildings as part of the building consent application, so they can then determine Building Code compliance relating to means of escape from fire. This guide:

• highlights key factors relating to the existing building and proposed building work
• provides a building score sheet for the key factors
• lists information you might consider asking for, depending on the total building score.

This guide will also be of interest if you are a building owner or building professional, such as an:

• architect or designer
• chartered professional engineer
• other appropriately qualified licensed building practitioner.