Information

Most buildings in New Zealand (other than private homes) are required to have an evacuation procedure.
Some evacuation procedures must be developed into Evacuation Schemes and approved by the NZ Fire Service.
This page provides infomation about evacuation schemes.

The Guide

Information on how to complete and submit an application is covered in:

• The Guide (NZFS Guide to evacuation schemes)

Applications

When applying for approval there are several things to consider:

• Do I need a scheme?
• Uploading completed applications
  Applications for approval or exemption can be submitted online by uploading the documents.
  
  A full explanation is given in Uploading completed applications
• Notifying when scheme not required under Section 21B(2) of the Fire Service Act 1975
  Buildings that do not require an evacuation scheme under Section 21B(2) of the Fire Service Act are required under Section 21E to notify the National Commander on the prescribed form.
  
  The Fire Service provides a form that may be used for this in the left hand panel.

Further information is available in the Guide and in the FAQ (in the left-hand panel).

Maintaining approved evacuation schemes

There are several actions that need to be carried out to maintain an approved evacuation scheme:

• Trial evacuation notification and reports
  Owners of buildings with approved evacuation schemes that stated in their application that trial evacuations will take place must:
  
  

  • notify the Fire Service of a trial evacuation at least 10 working days before the date of the trial
  • provide a report to the Fire Service the trial evacuation within 10 working days of the trial evacuation being carried out

  
  The Fire Service provides a form that may be used for this in the left hand panel.
• Training notification
  Some approved evacuation schemes require training in lieu of carrying out trial evacuations.
  The building owner is responsible for notifying the Fire Service each time the evacuation training programme has been completed.
  The Fire Service provides forms that may be used for this in the left hand panel.
  
  Note: Traning notification is not required when trial evacuations are part of the same scheme.
• Building changes notification
  The building owner is responsible for notifying the Fire Service if any of the following apply:
  
  

  • the means of escape from fire is altered, or no longer sufficient
  • the intended life of the building is extended
  • the building no longer requires an evacuation scheme because:
    • it has been demolished
    • it is no longer used for a purpose that requires one

  
  These requirements are described in full in Schedule 3 of the Regulations.
  
  The Fire Service provides forms that may be used for this in the left hand panel.

Further information is available in the Guide and in the FAQ (in the left-hand panel).