Timber is an attractive material choice for use in tall buildings, and its use is growing. However, as it is a combustible material, there are concerns around fire safety and specific fire design is required.
Is New Zealand striking the right balance of fire safety measures in multi-storey apartment buildings? We look at requirements in several countries to see how we compare.
There are many benefits from a focus on quality in construction. At the practical level, there are fewer call-backs and more satisfied clients. Beyond that, higher-quality buildings deliver healthier environments for living and working. At the top level, they can be inspirational.
The Building Code has strict requirements for providing access and escape routes for fire safety. Emergency staff need to be able to enter a building, and many non-residential buildings need at least one accessible access route for use by disabled persons.
