The correct sealing of service penetrations is critical but is the most misunderstood area of Fire Protection.

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The correct sealing of service penetrations is critical but is the most misunderstood area of Fire Protection.

Service Penetrations

A service penetration that passes through a fire separation is not necessarily correctly sealed just because there is fire sealant used. Almost every building I have inspected has incorrectly sealed and non-compliant service penetrations that pass-through fire separations, yet many of these buildings still hold compliance certificates and BWOFs. “Building Warrant of Fitness”

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Passive fire failure is systemic in New Zealand putting lives at risk

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Passive fire failure is systemic in New Zealand putting lives at risk

New Zealand's been lucky not to have a multiple death fire tragedy in a high rise apartment or office block because many buildings' passive fire systems are compromised.

Delegates at the Passive Fire Compliance; What You Don't Know conference in Auckland on Friday paid for by giant insurer IAG heard that New Zealand had achieved "deregulation through incompetency" in passive fire safety.

They shared stories of incompetent passive fire design and installation, which is leaving lives under threat, and building owners facing rises in insurance premiums as insurers have to make "tough decisions" when assessing them for cover.

But the Fire Protection Association (FPA) has begun moves which it hopes will drive the cowboys from its industry.

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