Scott Base, New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station, constructed in the 1980s was found to have increasing points of failure in its passive fire protection.

A collaborative approach is needed to resolve conflicts between fire protection and seismic movement requirements for service penetrations passing through fire-rated walls.

Lessons from the design of service penetrations through fire rated walls and floors on a recent high-density residential project. 

We often come across situations where compliance with NZBC requirements for fire protection is in conflict with other requirements.

The more the industry talks about passive fire and engages with other construction industry professionals, the more likely we are to get it right the first time.

While fire engineering reports are designed in line with the NZBC with a view to saving lives, we often overlook the lives of the first responders who need to go into these buildings.

The traditional approach for facility managers is to do whatever it takes to make the passive fire issue disappear. This is not always the most cost-effective approach.

Any and all tested penetration seals, installed in accordance with the manufacturers specifications or AS 4072.1, “cannot – not be accepted as being compliant” with the NZBC.

Designers, project managers, installers and building consent officials exercising duty of care responsibilities would positively contribute to raising the bar on all passive fire protection installations in NZ.

The perceptions of project managers, quantity surveyors and passive fire installers when it comes to planning for fire stopping.