In light of these findings, the government has prioritised the fire safety review, aiming to bring the Building Code in line with modern building practices
The New Zealand government has announced a full review of fire safety regulations in the Building Code, marking the first such update in more than a decade. This move comes on the heels of a review prompted by the 2023 Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington, which resulted in five fatalities and five injuries. The tragic incident highlighted gaps in fire safety measures, particularly for older buildings undergoing changes in use.
Minister for Building and Construction, Chris Penk, called the upcoming review “an important milestone” that aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He noted, “This will reduce the chances of a tragedy like that happening again.” Loafers Lodge, originally built as a warehouse and later converted to a boarding house, lacked sprinkler systems, which were not legally required under the previous regulations.
Following the Loafers Lodge fire, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) carried out inspections of similar properties across the country. These inspections revealed fire safety issues in nearly all buildings examined. Key concerns identified included:
– Insufficient fire and smoke barriers, such as fire doors, with inadequate smoke and fire separation being the most widespread issue;
– Blocked or inadequate escape routes, raising serious evacuation concerns;
– Poor or unclear exit signage, which could hinder evacuations in emergencies;
– Issues with fire alarm systems, including missing smoke detectors, limited coverage, and unmonitored alarms, potentially compromising timely response.
In light of these findings, the government has prioritised the fire safety review, aiming to bring the Building Code in line with modern building practices. Penk emphasised the need for updated regulations to keep pace with changes in urban design and new construction methods, stating, “The way we build has changed significantly in the last decade. Newly evolving products and technologies are adding complexities to buildings, which have implications for fire safety and firefighting.”
The government has released a discussion document to gather public input, with submissions open until 5pm on 6 December. The review will consider both emerging building materials and urban design developments to strengthen fire safety provisions across New Zealand’s building sector.
