Request for Feedback: NZ Fire Safety Guidance

Fire safety guidance for multi-storey mass timber buildings.

Fire Safety Supplement draft

Project background

PTL Structural & Fire and Gannon Fire & Risk have been engaged by the Timber Design Society (with funds from MPI) to review and update the Timber Unlimited (TU) documents on Fire Safety in Mass Timber Structures, with help from a Working Group of selected experts. 

We are seeking suggestions for improving the TU documents and information from:

> Anyone who has used the TU documents for planning, design, or construction of multi-storey mass timber buildings in New Zealand. You will be asked to complete a design summary form.

> Fire safety designers (or the peer reviewers) of any New Zealand based multi-storey mass timber building. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire.

“Multi-storey” refers to timber buildings of three storeys or more, completed, planned, or under construction

Feedback process

  1. Review the current guidance documents available here if you aren’t already familiar with them.
     
  2. Download and review the scope of work pertaining to this process (see link below).
     
  3. Should you wish to comment, please email Andy Buchanan by Friday 2 October to confirm your interest and you will be sent a design form or questionnaire.
    a.buchanan@ptlnz.com
     
  4. The final day for completed forms to be returned is Friday 16 October.

Summary of project

Background and context

The existing Timber Unlimited (TU) fire safety guidance for multi-storey mass timber buildings was developed as interim technical guidance to support early market uptake. It was always intended that the guidance would be updated over time, as this is a rapidly evolving field.

Since publication, the sector has matured significantly, supported by:

• New Zealand-specific fire modelling and engineering analysis;
• Substantial project experience in mid-rise mass timber construction; an
• Extensive empirical fire test data, third-party review, and regulatory engagement.

An update is needed to incorporate this growing New Zealand-specific evidence base, industry feedback, and the latest research and international best practice; and to ensure that the guidance remains technically robust, proportionate, performance‑aligned, and internationally credible, while maintaining or strengthening life safety and firefighter protection outcomes.

Empirical fire test data will be made available to the Working Group on request.

Scope of Work document

The Scope of Work document provides the basis for the Timber Design Society’s (TDS) proposal to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) / Te Uru Rākau for the 2026 update of the TU Fire Safety Guidance. 

As custodian of Timber Unlimited, the Timber Design Society (TDS) will hold the head contract with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) / Te Uru Rākau and will engage Structural & Fire (PTL) and Gannon Fire & Risk (GFR) under separate subcontracts to deliver the technical work in collaboration with an expert Technical Working Group. The Project Owner's Representative will provide project oversight, contract management and client liaison on behalf of TDS.

TDS gratefully acknowledges the significant contributions of PTL, GFR and Lauren Walker Ltd to the development of this Scope of Work document.

Documents to be updated

Timber Unlimited (TU) fire safety guidance currently comprises two related documents at different stages of development:

References to the “TU Fire Safety Guidance” mean the TU Supplement and TU Commentary collectively.

Together, the TU Supplement and TU Commentary form a complementary guidance suite.