As a business owner in NZ, you have many responsibilities on your shoulders. In particular, when it comes to fire extinguishers within your commercial property, how knowledgeable are you regarding fire extinguisher laws and regulations?
If you are not that familiar with fire extinguisher regulations, don’t worry, Fireaway is here to help. Keep reading to find out more about the essential fire extinguisher laws that you need to know as an NZ business owner.
New Zealand Building Code 1991
The NZ Building Code states that it is a requirement for businesses to have a portable fire extinguisher or hand operated fire-fighting equipment. Business owners should ensure that they have the appropriate fire extinguisher for their property.
New Zealand Standard 4503:2005
The NZ Standard 4503:2005 outlines the minimum requirements for fire extinguishers and other hand operated fire-fighting equipment in the country, including within commercial buildings. All fire extinguishers within your property must be selected, installed, and maintained in compliance with this standard.
Failure to meet these requirements could result in a fine of up to NZ$10,000 for you as the business owner, and up to NZ$20,000 for organisations.
Other New Zealand Standards
There are other New Zealand standards that you might want to consider, such as the NZ Standard 1841.1:2007 for portable fire extinguishers, however, the main standard that you will need to familiarise yourself with is the NZS 4503:2005.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing and Maintenance
NZS 4503:2005 entails the requirement for fire extinguisher maintenance—which we offer at Fireaway. We test, inspect, and service fire extinguishers for NZ businesses in accordance with the NZS 4503:2005, including:
- Testing every 6-12 months
- Hydraulic pressure tests every 5 years
- Recording of test and inspection results
For your fire extinguisher compliance needs, we have got you covered.
At Fireaway, we offer fire extinguisher servicing in Auckland to ensure that your fire extinguishers perform appropriately should a fire break out. In fact, our experts can help make sure that your NZ business is compliant with all of the essential fire extinguisher laws. To learn more about our services, or if you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Fireaway team today.