Page 64 - Build 161

Fire safety
Fire safety proposals
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is considering new re safety proposals that will make re safety regulations easier to understand and apply.
BY CHRISTINE DUNCAN, FIRE ENGINEER, MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT
MBIE IS RESPONSIBLE for keeping the New Zealand Building Code up to date, aligned with international best practice and su ciently exible to allow industry to develop innovative solutions.
Fire regulatory system reviewed
Building Code clause C Protection from fire has been the focus of extensive review and consultation over recent years.
In 2014, MBIE initiated the re programme in response to stake- holder feedback on the 2012 changes to Building Code clauses C1–6, Acceptable Solutions C/AS1–7 and Veri cation Method C/VM2.
The 2-year programme was seen by MBIE as an opportunity to review the whole fire regulatory system to test and discuss the issues. The outcome was several priority projects for MBIE to focus its e orts on.
Consultation closed recently
The rst phase of the project initiatives was consolidated into the MBIE discussion document Consultation on fire safety proposals. Consultation concluded in mid-July, and MBIE is currently reviewing feedback from submissions made on the consultation.
The four proposals being considered are:
● increased exibilityintheuseofinternalsurface nishes
● clarifying Building Code requirements for structural performance
in re
● updating the Verification Method C/VM2 and including more safeguards for tall buildings
● issuing guidance to assist designers and BCAs in demonstrating and assessing Building Code compliance of Alternative Solutions.
Key stakeholders involved
Prior to releasing the discussion document for wider consultation, MBIE received input on the proposals from key stakeholders. These included the New Zealand Fire Service, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Fire Protection Association of New Zealand, building control o cials and architects.
MBIE also worked with international re engineering experts to develop the proposals, keeping the New Zealand Building Code aligned with international best practice.
Proposals cover four areas
The new proposals are aimed at making re safety requirements easier to understand and apply, promoting innovation in re safety engineering and design and supporting collaboration between building professionals.
The details of the proposed changes to the re regulatory system are to:
● remove the speci cs of Material Group Numbers and critical heat ux from Building Code clause C3.4
62 — August/September 2017 — Build 161
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