New Zealand building research organisation BRANZ has referred the passive fire protection problems identified in the just-released Fire Protection Association (FPANZ) report onto the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) for its consideration and remediation.

“The report identifies some serious issues which need addressing,” says Pieter Burghout, newly appointed chief executive of BRANZ.

“While the survey conducted by the FPANZ was simply a pilot exercise, other indicators and anecdotal evidence indicate that the effectiveness of fire barriers in our buildings is being compromised by breaches of them during construction and alteration.”

“Just one breach in a firewall can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the wall. Passive fire protection can only work if care is taken to ensure that all penetrations are properly sealed.”

“Many contractors, designers, IQP’s and building inspectors are just not aware of the critical importance of this. We need more awareness, training and vigilance when supervising construction and signing off completed structures. It is so important. There is a growing awareness of the importance of passive fire protection, but there is a long way to go.”

There are two problem areas says Mr Burghout – new and older buildings – each with distinct issues.

“We need to get practice right in new buildings as quickly as possible so that we are not continuing to add to the problem, and a programme of remedial work will be required over the next 2-3 years to bring existing buildings up to scratch.

BRANZ says the FPANZ survey was not extensive enough to pinpoint just how many buildings are affected and to what extent, and it is impossible at this point to have any idea of what repairs would cost.

“Rather than delaying the inevitable with further research we are advocating that FPANZ and the DBH co-ordinate an industry programme to restore the effectiveness of passive fire protection where it has been compromised. The extent of the problem will emerge as work progresses.”

“DBH and FPANZ are in the best position to give leadership on this matter. BRANZ , together with other industry groups will, I am sure, get behind them, as it is in all our interests to deal with this problem as smartly as possible,” says Mr Burghout.