Fire safety

Fire safety was not generally a consideration when bungalows were being built.

Fire safety was not generally a consideration for the design and construction of bungalows and they can burn readily due to the dry timber, particularly if the sarking with scrim and paper still remains. Plasterboard lining will reduce the risk of fire spread but furnishings also present a significant fire load.

Fire safety features

When any renovation work is being carried out on a bungalow, this must include consideration of fire safety. This may include:

  • installing smoke alarms (this is mandatory)
  • installing heat detectors 
  • consideration of a domestic fire sprinkler system.

Chimneys will also need to be assessed for fire safety if the fireplaces they serve are to be used for heating.

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Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are a requirement under New Zealand Building Code clause F7 Warning systems. This applies to all existing homes undergoing building work, not just new houses.

Acceptable Solution F7/AS1 requires Type 1 smoke alarms, which must have:

  • a hush button to silence the alarm for at least 60 seconds 
  • a test button 
  • a sound level that complies with NZS 4514:2021 Interconnected smoke alarms for houses – not less than 75 dBA at the sleeping position and not more than 100 dBA at 1.8 m height. (The standard can be downloaded for free.)

F7/AS1 requires interconnected smoke alarms in new household units. This was introduced in November 2023 with a 12-month transition period ending in November 2024. The amended Acceptable Solutions C/AS1 and C/AS2 cite NZS 4514: 2021 for their installation. With interconnected alarms, when one smoke alarm detects fire smoke, all alarms will sound. Models that connect wirelessly are available.
Smoke alarms must be in all bedrooms, living spaces, hallways and landings and on each level of a multi-level home within 10 m of each other in any direction. Where a kitchen is separated from living spaces and hallways by closable doors, an alarm suitable for kitchens (which may be a heat alarm) must be installed in the kitchen.

Under the Residential Tenancies (Smoke Alarms and Insulation) Regulations 2016 all rental homes must have smoke alarms:

  • The alarms must be either hard wired or photoelectric battery alarms with a battery life of at least 8 years. 
  • If alarms have a battery, it is the tenant’s responsibility to replace the battery when it is worn out.
  • There must be at least one smoke alarm installed in the sleeping space or within 3 metres of the entrance to the sleeping space. 
  • There must be an alarm on each floor where there is a habitable space however having an alarm within each sleeping space is preferable.

Maintenance

Vacuum over smoke alarms to avoid dust build-up, and test with the test button monthly. The smoke detection element can be tested annually with an incense stick. Battery alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

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Domestic sprinklers

Sprinklers provide the most effective protection against fire damage, and systems suitable for domestic installations are available. If a fire starts, the sprinkler heads immediately above the fire will discharge water.

The most common domestic fire sprinkler systems:

  • use a glass bulb, heat-sensitive element 
  • activate at about 68°C 
  • have a flat and wide spray pattern with small and medium droplet sizes 
  • have sprinkler heads that may be concealed, flush-mounted, side-wall or pendant type
  • require a 20 mm diameter pipe connection.

If a fire develops, not all sprinkler heads will operate, but only those closest to the fire – 65% of fires are controlled by a single sprinkler head, and 95% are controlled by five sprinkler heads or less. When a sprinkler head is set off, the fire brigade is also called.

Installation and maintenance

The design and installation of a domestic sprinkler system must be carried out by a qualified practitioner with independent inspection and certification.

Maintenance and testing should be in accordance with the relevant standards and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 

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Heaters and other appliances

All appliances that burn gas, solid fuel or any other combustible material must be installed to ensure that:

  • the combustion process does not raise the temperature of any adjacent building element to a level where its performance is affected 
  • the accumulation of combustion gases within the building is avoided.

You can find guidance in the BRANZ bulletin BU654 Installation and maintenance of solid fuel appliances.