A quantified performance based building code the New Zealand experience

In April 2012, the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) was amended to include quantified measures of performance for fire safety design. It was a pioneering effort attempting to provide a systematic approach to fire engineering design within the New Zealand legislation. Fire engineers have typically produced a wide variance in designs with inconsistent views between different local authorities [1] [2]. Assumptions in the suitable level of safety were often different for similar buildings. Different approaches and variations in performance criteria has in the past led to costly project delays. The revised NZBC set out to standardise fire engineering practise and provide a consistent measure of performance in fire engineering projects across New Zealand. A nationwide fire review was undertaken in 2014 to seek feedback on the changes and to understand where further adjustment was required. The NZBC has used quantified performance criteria for those requirements where performance can be expressed numerically. The code remains qualitative where performance is not easily measured or calculated. The NZBC only provides criteria for specific calculation outputs but design input values and safety factors remain flexible and could be defined by the user. New Zealand continues with a partially quantified performance based building code with respect to protection for fire. The application and use of the NZBC continues to be monitored by the regulator and adjustments made where necessary to ensure a consistent and appropriate level of fire safety is achieved. Risk is not quantified in the NZBC, however the Code emphasises that due consideration be given to the reliance and robustness of fire safety systems.