Fire alarm installations must be certified

Consent officers, building inspectors and others involved in building compliance should note that new fire alarm systems need to be certified - a producer statement on its own is not enough.

  • Published on 7 July 2006
  • Of interest to Building consent authorities
  • 1st edition

Provisions in Acceptable Solution C/AS1 and Standard NZS 4512 mean that the installation of fire alarm systems must be certified by an accredited inspection body*. This requirement is in line with long-standing fire sprinkler requirements.

Provisions in Acceptable Solution C/AS1 and Standard NZS 4512 mean that the installation of fire alarm systems must be certified by an accredited inspection body*. This requirement is in line with long-standing fire sprinkler requirements.

If you receive a producer statement from a fire alarm contractor, we recommend you confirm that certification has been completed. The contractor should be able to provide you with a copy of the certification.

Building consent authorities should not issue a code compliance certificate for any project including a new Type 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 system until certification has been completed. Installers and project managers should book their certifier early and ensure they allow enough time in their construction programme for inspections and certification.

The requirements came from an update of C/AS1 in late 2005 to cite the latest New Zealand Standard for fire alarm systems, namely NZS 4512: 2003 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Buildings.

Requirements for alterations to existing alarm systems and for alternative solutions can differ. Proposals need to be submitted to and approved by the building consent authority at building consent stage.

Contact us for further information.

* At the time of writing, accredited fire alarm inspection bodies are:

  • Aon New Zealand
  • Building and Fire Safety Ltd
  • Fire Protection Inspection Services Ltd (FPIS)
  • Hudson Fire Inspections Limited
  • Kensway Fire Limited
  • Opus Research.

The IANZ website has an up-to-date list. Click on 'directory' and search for 'NZS 4512'.

All guidance related to C1 Objectives of Clauses C2 to C6

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: