While escape route pressurisation systems have been used for some time in New Zealand buildings as part of the fire safety strategy, there is little data and many questions about how effective they are. This report describes a pilot study that investigated escape route pressurisation system effectiveness in New Zealand buildings. Fire and Emergency New Zealand data and council data was used to look at fire incidents in private fire alarm connected buildings with and without pressurisation systems in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The effect of pressurisation systems on life safety outcomes was found to be inconclusive, but there was a measurable decrease in reported flame and smoke spread beyond the compartment of fire origin. Individual system data from property files, a site visit and independent qualified person (IQP) interviews was also gathered. This data indicated similar operational issues with current New Zealand systems as has been reported previously in New Zealand and other jurisdictions. Improving design, installation and commissioning practices is highly recommended to improve confidence in potential escape path pressurisation system benefits in building fire safety strategies.
