Smoke alarms

Requirements

NZ Building Code - Smoke Alarm Requirements.

From November 2024 the NZ Building Code Acceptable Solutions for Protection from Fire (C/AS1 and C/AS2) has been amended to make interconnected smoke alarms the minimum fire safety system for new built homes and consented renovations, citing NZS 4514:2021 – Interconnected smoke alarms for Houses. The standard allows for wirelessly or hard-wired interconnection, using either 10-year long-life battery-powered or 240v mains powered alarms.

Installation

Below are the key points of the changes to the acceptable solutions related to the installation, but it is important that you read the details in the Standards New Zealand – NZS 4514:2021 interconnected smoke alarms for houses document, click here to download.

KEY POINTS:

• Equipment required must be either 10 year long-life battery-operated (non-removable/sealed) or 240v mains powered, interconnected smoke alarms.
• All smoke alarms must meet compliance standards such as BS EN 14604, AS3786, UL 217, CAN/ULC S531 or ISO 12239.
• Where more than one smoke alarm is needed to meet the requirements of this standard, these alarms shall be interconnected so that when one activates, all smoke alarm devices in the household unit will sound. The interconnection between alarms may be wired or wireless.
• Smoke alarms shall be located in all bedrooms, living spaces, hallways and landings within the building.
• In a multi-level household, there shall be at least one smoke alarm on each level.
• All smoke alarms must have a hush and test button.
• Smoke alarms shall be located on or near the ceiling.
• Where a kitchen or scullery is separated from the living spaces and hallways by doors that can be closed, an alarm specified by its manufacturer as suitable for a kitchen shall be located in the kitchen. This may be a heat alarm to avoid nuisance activations.

The information above is designed as a guide only. There is more information contained in the NZS 4514:2021 interconnected smoke alarms for houses standard. 

Alterations to existing buildings 

The following advice is provided by the New Plymouth District Council to give a clear and consistent understanding of the application of Section 112 of the Building Act 2004; in particular how the term reasonable and practicable is applied to the alteration of standalone residential buildings (i.e. Risk Group SH in compliance document C/AS1).

For buildings undergoing alterations, the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) must not issue a building consent unless it is satisfied that, among other requirements, the building will comply as nearly as reasonably practicable with the Building Code provisions for means of escape from fire. 

The NPDC deem that it is reasonably practicable to include interconnected smoke alarms in most cases, considering the sacrifice verse benefit, where a major retailer currently supplies a six pack of interconnected detectors for less than $220.

In summary, for applicable buildings undergoing alteration, interconnected smoke alarms complying with NZS4514:2021 must be installed if they don’t already exist.