FIRE CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR VERSION: 3
SH PURPOSE GROUP DATE: May 2013
(Information Sheet) CODE: IS-112
The following are guidance notes for assessing compliance with the NZ Building Code and Approved
Documents. They are subject to ongoing review, may not cover every requirement and they are
offered on a “no liability” basis.
The definition of “SH” is a detached dwelling where the occupants live as a single household or family and
includes its associated accessory buildings.
1 FIRE SEPARATIONS
On houses of no more than three floor levels, exterior walls within 1m of a title, cross lease or
notional boundary must have 30/30/0 two way FRR (walls at 90º to the boundary must be rated
within 200mm of the boundary).
Houses having four or more floor levels are subject to the limitations on unprotected areas as
given in NZBC C/AS1 Part 7.
Fire walls shall extend up to the underside of the roofing material. At external walls, solid 50mm
continuous blocking may be used between rafters. There is no fire requirement for fire rating of
eaves between the fire wall and the boundary if the fire wall is extended to the underside of the
roof.
Where plasterboard is used to fire rate the external wall, the plaster board must be protected
from the weather as recommended by the manufacturer (eg Winstone’s Garage Boundary
Walls).
External claddings on fire walls must be non-combustible or comply with NZBC C/AS1 table 7.5
when located closer than 1m to relevant boundary.
If Monier bricks are used as the fire rated lining - see Monier design note A4 - look carefully at
the eaves detail to ensure the rating is maintained to the underside of the roof.
Fire Wall Penetrations - Ensure that a tested method of protection is provided where services
are in the wall, eg pipes, switches and plugs.
Where the eaves are within 650mm of the boundary, the wall associated with that eave must be
fire rated to a rating of 30/30/30. – OR -
Where foam plastic is used it shall meet the following requirements:
- Flame propagation criteria as specified in AS1366.
- Have a flame barrier complying with NZBC C/AS1 appendix C10.1 between any occupied
space and the foam plastic.
2 ESCAPE ROUTES
Escape route length from any part of the house shall have a maximum dead end length of 24m.
Length to be measured down stairs and around obstructions such as furniture.
3 SMOKE ALARMS
All houses shall have Type 1 domestic smoke alarms installed. For type and location of
domestic smoke alarm refer to Information Sheet IS-111.
4 OPEN-SIDED BUILDING/CAR PORT
An open-sided building/car port, which is detached or attached to the house, does not require
any fire rating if it complies with the following:
2
• The roof area is under 40m .
• At least two sides of the perimeter are completely open to the environment.
• No part of the roof is closer than 300mm to a relevant boundary.
If the roof is closer than 300mm to a relevant boundary refer to NZBC C/AS1 7.8.10 for the
fire rating requirements.
Doc# 451152 Page 1 of 2 Sheet IS-112
The publication Customer Guide to the Building Consent Process outlines in detail the information
required by Council to process a Building Consent Application.
Glossary of Terms:
MBIE – Ministry of Building, Innovation and BRANZ – Building Research Association of
Employment New Zealand
LIM – Land Information Memorandum ECan – Environment Canterbury
PIM – Project Information Memorandum OSH – Occupational Safety and Health
LBP – Licensed Building Practitioner NZBC – New Zealand Building Code
RBW – Restricted Building Work
Useful step-by-step guides can be found at www.consumerbuild.org.nz which can help you to understand the
processes required.
User Guides in this series are:
Customer Guide to the Building Consent Process –
Accessible Facilities – IS-115
IS-000
Fees & Charges – IS-101 Amusement Device – IS-116
Accessory Buildings – IS-103 Extension of Time – IS-118
Change of Use – IS-105 Fencing your Swimming Pool – IS-119
Demolition – IS-106 Solid Fuel / Liquid Fuel Heating Appliance – IS-120
Effluent Disposal – IS-107
Functions of a Building Consent Authority and Territorial
Authority - IS-121
Relocating a Dwelling / Building – IS-109 Essential Features of a Producer Statement – IS-122
Transportable Buildings – IS-110 Exempt Building Work – IS-123
Domestic Smoke Alarm Systems for dwellings – IS-111 Guide for Use and Issue of Hot Work Permits – IS-124
Fire Code Requirements for SH Purpose Group – IS-112 Form Selection Guide – IS-125
Wet Area Showers – IS-113
Compliance Schedule & Specified Systems Guidance –
IS-126
Building Code Clauses – IS-114
Otherwise visit your friendly Customer Services Officer at Timaru District Council.
Doc# 451152 Page 2 of 2 Sheet IS-112
