S&T’s Fire Safety Engineering team provides flexible and safe designs that meet the most applicable compliance method. We provide a high level of fire safety, delivering peace of mind for the building owner and a safe environment for its occupants.

In preparing a fire safety design we review all requirements for the building and select the most appropriate solution, from the following:

• Acceptable Solution – This is the simplest form of code compliance and is the most appropriate to simple buildings, with typically one type of use, where a building can easily achieve these requirements.

• Verification Method - This allows a design to depart from the prescriptive rules of the acceptable solution, through calculations that are specific to the individual design, such as fire conditions and escape times. This method is suitable where compliance with the acceptable solution would compromise the intended use or layout of the building, or mean an unnecessarily expensive solution.

• First Principles – This method is typically used when a building cannot achieve compliance via the acceptable solution or verification method due to its design complexity. We use engineering techniques, software and calculations to show that they’re achieved for the building.

When an existing building is altered or has a change of use, certain features of the building only have to comply with the building code “as nearly as is reasonably practicable” (ANARP).

The definition of “reasonably practicable” is open to interpretation, subject to legal interpretations and guidance from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

ANARP assessment is an analysis of the benefits of full compliance against the “sacrifices” needed to achieve it and if they are reasonably practicable for the specific building. If it is shown that the sacrifices outweigh the benefits, then non compliance, or a reduced level of compliance, may be acceptable.

• For Existing Buildings - Existing buildings are often designed to comply with earlier versions of the Building Code. We can review plans and visit the building to assess the level of compliance with current Building Code requirements. Once the assessment is complete, we can advise on any upgrades, with a cost-benefit analysis to outline the most appropriate solution.

• Pre-purchase assessment - prior to selling or buying a building, it’s essential to understand the level of code compliance. After inspection and assessment, we can provide a report outlining the level of compliance with the current Building Code. We can also comment on what might be needed to achieve current code compliance which will align with the intended building use.

Fire engineering designs that depart from acceptable solutions often need peer review and a producer statement PS2 for design review. The extent of peer review required will be determined by the relevant building consent authority. Our lead fire engineer is a chartered professional fire engineer and can undertake peer reviews and Producer Statements.

From time to time, complications can take place that can only be resolved by litigation. For such situations, we offer our experience and expertise as an impartial witness in relation to matters of fire safety or code compliance.