Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
The main amendment updates the list of automatic sprinkler standards in regulation 24 of the principal regulations by adding NZS 4541:2020—Automatic fire sprinkler systems (the new sprinkler standard). The effect of the addition is that, if the owners of certain buildings used as workplaces or accommodation install automatic sprinkler systems meeting the new sprinkler standard (and if various other requirements are met), the owners are exempt from the usual requirements under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 to provide and maintain evacuation schemes for their buildings.
Any building owner relying on the new sprinkler standard to qualify for the exemption is required to ensure that the sprinkler system is complemented by hand-operated fire-fighting equipment complying with NZS 4503:2005—Hand operated fire-fighting equipment (the hand-operated equipment standard). The reason for this requirement is that, unlike the last New Zealand standard for automatic fire sprinkler systems, the new sprinkler standard does not itself include a requirement for the building to have equipment complying with the hand-operated equipment standard.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.
Date of notification in Gazette: 17 June 2021.
These regulations are administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.