Building consent requirements

Homeowners who choose to have sprinklers installed need to know building consent requirements. The following table sets out the responsibilities for designers, installers, homeowners and BCAs.

Responsibilities

 

Designer and installer

Homeowner

BCA

General

Design, installation and commissioning to NZS 4517

The system is designed and installed correctly. Obtain a building consent for the building work required

A building consent application should contain the associated building work from this table

Pipe installation through the external envelope

Detail penetrations for the building consent

Include in building consent application

Check as part of the building consent processing

Backflow protection

Detail the type and location of the backflow preventer, if one is required

Include in building consent application

Check as part of the building consent processing

Structure

Detail the sprinkler pipe penetrations through structural frames, to NZS 3604 or alternative design, if they exist

Include in building consent application

Check as part of the building consent processing

Durability

Include consideration of the building work’s durability in the building consent application

Include in building consent application

Check as part of the building consent processing, including the test frequency of any backflow preventer detailed in the plan and specifications

Water flow characteristics

Required for an effective fire sprinkler system to NZS 4517

Engage designer

Not required as part of the building consent

Sprinkler head locations

Required for an effective fire sprinkler system

Engage designer

Not required as part of the building consent

Installation and commissioning

Installation and commissioning to NZS 4517

Engage installer. Installer to issue to the owner details of the installation, commissioning and testing

Test certificate for any backflow preventer required before issuing CCC

Testing and maintenance

To be detailed for the owner

Owner or contractor to undertake regular testing Engage contractor to test the backflow preventer, if one is installed

Not required as part of the building consent, except for the ongoing testing of the backflow preventer (see Durability above)

BCAs need to know all of the following information before issuing the building consent:

  • the building work associated with the fire sprinkler system complies with B1 Structure, B2 Durability and G12 Water Supplies
  • the appropriate level of backflow prevention, if required, has been identified and specified for installation, including the testing frequency
  • the backflow preventer, if required, will be installed and tested. This will probably be done by the installer, who will provide a backflow preventer test certificate
  • the name of the craftsman plumber doing the installation of potable water pipework or the connection to the potable water supply.

Homeowners will also find the following information about fire sprinkler systems helpful, although it is not required as part of the building consent process:

  • there is adequate pressure and flow; and this should be done by inspection, test or producer statement
  • the design is to NZS 4517 and will probably be demonstrated by a design producer statement (Appendix G of NZS 4517)
  • the installation has been installed and commissioned in accordance with NZS 4517 Appendix C Test water supply, Appendix F Verification flow test and Commissioning in accordance with Section 8, and this will probably be demonstrated by a design and construction producer statement (Appendix G of NZS 4517)
  • the owner is aware of the testing and maintenance requirements (Appendix I of NZS 4517), including the testing of any backflow preventer.

NZS 4517 Fire sprinkler systems for houses is available from the Standards New Zealand website.

NFPA 13D Standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in one and two family dwellings and manufactured homes is available on the National Fire Protection Association website.

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: