BC Update: No.24 - Changes to compliance schedules and ‘means of escape’
29 Jul 2005: A building that has a specified system must have a compliance schedule that lists that system (issued by a territorial authority). The owner of the building must issue an annual building warrant of fitness confirming that all specified systems have been inspected and maintained in accordance with the compliance schedule.
The importance of having adequate means of escape from fire in buildings is highlighted by a specific reference in the Building Act 2004 (section 3). The Department of Building and Housing has a clear interest in ensuring that means of escape are maintained. Issues have been raised with the Department concerning the need for all means of escape to be included in compliance schedules. The Department has considered the practical implementation of the regulations that define specified systems, taking into account enforcement practice under other legislation and previous practice of including means of escape in compliance schedules.
As a result, the Department has recommended to the Minister for Building Issues that he should consider seeking an amendment to the regulations to require mandatory inspection, maintenance and reporting of the relevant systems and features that make up ‘means of escape from fire’.
There are approximately 30,000 existing compliance schedules in New Zealand, most of which include ‘means of escape from fire’. Given the recommendation to the Minister, the Department is advising territorial authorities that the references to ‘means of escape from fire’ on existing compliance schedules should not be removed.
Since 31 March 2005, territorial authorities will have issued new compliance schedules under the Building Act 2004 that do not include means of escape from fire as a specified system. The Department is advising territorial authorities that these compliance schedules may need to be amended to include references to the systems and features that contribute to means of escape once the regulations are amended.
Further details on compliance schedules and ‘means of escape from fire’ will be provided by the Department within the next weeks.