Building consent applications to be sent to New Zealand Fire Service

Introduction

Territorial authorities are required as part of the building consent process to send certain building consent applications to the New Zealand Fire Service Design Review Unit for comment. This article clarifies which building types must be forwarded to the Design Review Unit, as it appears that building consents are not always being sent when they should be. Everyone involved in submitting building consent applications should be aware of which buildings fall under this requirement.

The Design Review Unit

The Design Review Unit was formed by the New Zealand Fire Service Commission to undertake its role under Section 46 of the Building Act 2004. It is based in Auckland and is processing approximately 60 building consent applications per month from all over the country. It has been operating since April 2005 and initial feedback is positive. The process has strengthened the building control process. Good feedback on the design of means of escape and facilities for firefighters is being provided to building consent authorities for their processing of building consent applications.

Which building consent applications need forwarding?

Gazette Notice No 56/2005 specifies which building consent applications need to be sent to the Design Review Unit. An explanation of how the Design Review Unit operates and this Gazette notice were provided in Building Controls Update No. 9.

The following building consent applications are to be sent to the New Zealand Fire Service Commission's Design Review Unit

• Building work designed as an alternative solution. This means that the design does not fully follow the requirements of the Compliance Document C/AS1. (Often designs largely follow the Acceptable Solution, but include minor deviations such as extending the allowable travel distances or modifying fixed fire systems. Such designs also need to be forwarded for comment to the Design Review Unit.)
• Building work that requires a waiver or modification of Clauses C1-4, D1, F6 or F8 of the Building Code. For example, a waiver for unit-titled car parks in buildings.
• Building work that affects fire safety systems, including any building work involving a specified system, involving:
  • an alteration, for example, a complete building refurbishment
  • a change in use, for example, from offices to residential use
  • a subdivision
• unless the effect is minor. An example of minor effects on the fire safety systems could be the alteration of the tone or type of sounding or visual alert for an alarm. Minor work does not mean work such as moving sprinkler heads in a sprinkler system.

The types of building consent applications that do not need to be sent to the Design Review Unit are:

• single household units
• terraced or townhouses
• sheds or other outbuildings
• any buildings designed to fully comply with the Acceptable Solutions for Fire Safety, Emergency Lighting and Signs.

If there is any doubt as to whether designs are alternative solutions (ie, the design deviates from the Compliance Document to only a minor extent), it is recommended that territorial authorities send them to the Design Review Unit.

The Design Review Unit can then conduct their initial assessment and return those about which they have no comment immediately. A conservative approach is recommended.

Further infomation

Further information can be obtained by calling the Department of Building and Housing on 0800 242 243.