CeaseFire
CeaseFire was started to offer the building industry a comprehensive solution to the passive fire issues faced, right from the design stage through to build completion. This is achieved through sound knowledge and guidance with regards to passive fire protection installation.
The knowledge offered by CeaseFire comes from recognised NZQA Qualifications and many years of hands on experience of not only inspecting and survey, but actual installation of passive fire systems.
In 2023 CeaseFire merged with ASJ and the partnership now offers a comprehensive property and fire consultancy.
Our promise to you
It is our mission to provide customers with not only a timely and well presented service, but one that will see the job through from beginning to end with the aim to keep their project moving forward. We also aim to provide the customer with the most up to date and cost effective solutions, while providing the installers with the support and guidance necessary to get the job done right the first time.
In our opinion, detailed instruction and guidance throughout a project provides more valued outcomes than construction monitoring and rectification alone. We strive to offer the instruction and guidance necessary to get the job right the first time.
Fire Engineering & Passive Fire Protection Specialists
We specialise in new build projects as well as existing building upgrades, offering Fire engineering, Passive Fire Specification Documentation, Construction Monitoring, Passive Fire Surveys
01.
Fire Engineering and Passive Fire Protection
Passive fire protection is the act of ensuring that the internal fabric of your building slows the spread of fire and smoke into adjacent areas and egress routes. The reduction in the rate of spread allows for occupants to exit the building, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand to perform fire related tasks.
A practical and robust approach to both fire engineering and the implementation of passive fire systems will not only reduce the likelihood of fire related fatalities, it will also help to contain fire damage, allowing the property to be reinstated quickly following a fire.
02.
Inspection
CeaseFire will undertake an independent review of your construction documentation to understand the original design objective of your property.
An on-site audit of installations and compliance can then be carried out in order to thoroughly understand and assess whether the building complies with the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code, Section C Fire Safety, and AS4072.1.
In instances where there is non-compliance, CeaseFire will advise on any practical measures that can be undertaken in the interim to reduce any threat in the event of a fire, prior to the completion of remedial work.
03.
Specification and Design
CeaseFire provide a tailored design service that can be undertaken independently, or coordinated with your design team.
For new build, CeaseFire believe in a collaborative design approach with your project team. We work closely with your design and financial team to provide practical solutions in a cost effective manner.
This service includes the complete fire engineered design, passive fire system specification, scheduled locations for installations, and installation techniques and requirements. All information is provided in a concise format, allowing your construction team to understand and action the installation on-site.
04.
Peer Review
CeaseFire are approved by Auckland City Council to undertake peer reviews of fire engineered designs, passive fire specifications and issue producer statements accordingly.
We are either appointed directly by Auckland City Council or appointed by your design team prior to consent lodgement. This proactive step can front foot the consenting process and reduce the risk of your project being delayed at a critical time.
05.
Construction Observation
CeaseFire will attend site during the construction process and undertake independent and periodic inspections.
This process ensures the work is completed in accordance with the specification and design.
Upon completion we will issue producer statements for construction review.
06.
Legal Counsel
CeaseFire have acted as expert witness in numerous high-profile litigations in recent years, for both claimant and defendant.
This includes multi-unit apartment complexes with claims to an estimated value of $150,000,000.
CeaseFire are recognised experts in fire engineering and passive fire protection.
The NZ Building Code & Relevant Standards
Our services at a glance
When starting a new project and applying for a building Consent, most councils are now expecting that all new building consents will contain relevant passive fire specification to be included as part of the consent applications. The friendly and experienced team at CeaseFire are committed to working with both you and your contractors to provide compliant fire stopping solutions that will provide you with an overall cost effective building.
These services include:
- Project review and fire stopping specifications to meet the requirements of:
- The NZ Building Code
- AS4072.1 Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant separating elements
- AS1530.4 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures – Fire-resistance test of elements of construction
- BCA requirements
- Construction monitoring and onsite consultation
- Peer review of fire stopping specifications
Passive fire issues within existing buildings is a systemic problem throughout NZ, and in many cases due to the construction and layout of these building, the issues can be difficult and costly to rectify. The team at CeaseFire have many years of hands on experience in overcoming these difficulties and rectifying the defects and can offer the following services post a passive fire survey having been conducted:
- Full passive fire system specifications to comply the NZ Building Code & AS4072.1
- ANARP ‘as near as reasonably practical solutions’ where the cost of bring the building up to the current building code is impractical based on a cost verses benefit approach
- Alternative solutions where there is no current testing for certain penetration or construction types
- Liaising with local BCA’s (building consent authorities) with regards to passive fire issues in terms of obtaining or complying with a BC or obtaining a COA (Certificate of Acceptance)
- Construction Monitoring and onsite consultation
- Peer review of fire stopping specifications
- Expert witness for legal disputes
Whether you are applying for a building consent, failed a building warrant of fitness or have simply become aware of passive fire issues within your building, the first place you need to start is, to carry out a passive fire survey throughout the building. This may encompass the entire building or simply sections of the building to identify the true extent of the issues throughout. CeaseFire are qualified and experienced in conducting passive fire surveys that will consider the following:
Fire separations
Are they compliant and do they meet the following requirements:
- FRR required in terms of the original fire engineering design
- Clauses C3 – Spread of Fire
- C4 Structural Stability in a Fire of the NZ building code
- AS4072.1 – Components for the protection of opening in fire-resistant separating elements – part 1: Service penetrations and control joints and have they been compromised in any way
Fire doors
- Have they been installed correctly
- Are they in good working order
- How can necessary repairs be carried out or do they need replacement
Service penetrations through fire separations
Have they been correctly fire rated in accordance with AS4072.1 taking into consideration the following:
- Service penetration type and size e.g. Pipes, cables, duct etc
- Size of the penetration
- Substrate through which it penetrates e.g. wall, floor, ceiling etc
- Substrate construction method e.g. Concrete, plasterboard, speedwall etc
- FRR – Fire Resistance Rating required