SS 13 covers smoke control systems installed solely to control smoke in a fire: mechanical smoke control (13/1), natural smoke control such as automatic vents (13/2) and smoke curtains (13/3). Inspection is typically six-monthly and annual by an IQP. Air-handling smoke clearance falls under SS 9.
At a glance
| Specified system | SS 13 |
| Official name | Smoke control systems |
| Sub-categories | SS 13/1 Mechanical smoke control SS 13/2 Natural smoke control SS 13/3 Smoke curtains |
| Typical intervals | 6-monthly and annual (varies by task; see below) |
| Standards often cited | AS 1851-2012, AS/NZS 1668.1, EN 12101-1 |
| Annual certificate | Form 12A from an IQP, attached to the building warrant of fitness |
What SS 13 covers
- 13/1: system installed solely to control or discharge smoke in a fire, by mechanical means; e.g. dedicated smoke exhaust.[1]
- Air-handling systems operating in smoke clearance mode are covered under SS 9, not SS 13.[1]
- 13/2: installed solely for smoke control using natural buoyancy, e.g. automatic smoke vents or smoke reservoirs.[1]
- 13/3: curtains that control smoke movement within a building.[1]
- Each building's compliance schedule sets the actual inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures; frequencies below are typical examples from the cited documents.[1]
How often it is inspected
| System | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | 3-monthly | 6-monthly | Annual | 2–5 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 13 Smoke control | no | no | no | no | no |
| Task | Typical frequency | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection (13/2, 13/3) | At least six-monthly and annually unless the nominated standard says otherwise | —[1] |
| Inspection (13/1, 13/2, 13/3) | Six-monthly and annual | IQP[2] |
What an inspection typically covers
- 13/2: check vents for mechanical damage and corrosion; test automatic opening from the fire alarm.[1]
- 13/2: where fusible links are used, disconnect, test, reconnect and reset.[1]
- 13/2 annual: power sources for actuators, control panels, hold-closed devices; fuses, relays, cables, terminals.[1]
- 13/3: check travel area and ceiling slot clear, fabric intact, curtain descends to correct level on alarm.[1]
- 13/3 annual: record mains/motor voltage, test from control panel, record fail-safe drop on power loss.[1]
- 13/3: leave system in full automatic mode after testing.[1]
Standards commonly cited
| Standard | Title |
|---|---|
| AS 1851-2012 (Amdt 1:2016) | Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment (Section 13 cited for inspections)[3] |
| AS/NZS 1668.1:2015 | Fire and smoke control in buildings (cited as a performance standard, as modified by C/AS2)[2] |
| EN 12101-1:2005 | Smoke barriers (cited for 13/3 smoke curtains)[2] |
Titles as listed in council and MBIE documents. Inspections follow the standard and edition named in the building's compliance schedule, usually the edition the system was installed to. Changing to a different edition needs an amendment to the compliance schedule.
Building Code context
- Performance standard cites C/AS2 (Acceptable Solution for Building Code clauses C1-C6) Appendix B.[2]
Questions
How often is SS 13 inspected?
MBIE and council guidance shows tasks at these intervals: 6-monthly and annual, with an IQP certifying the system each year. The building's compliance schedule sets the actual frequency.
Which standards apply to SS 13?
Commonly cited: AS 1851-2012, AS/NZS 1668.1, EN 12101-1. The compliance schedule names the standard and edition for each building.
Who can certify SS 13?
An independently qualified person (IQP) registered with the council for this system. They issue a Form 12A each year, which the owner attaches to the building warrant of fitness.
Sources
- Compliance Schedule Handbook, Amendment 3 — MBIE, 14 February 2014 (first published 25 May 2007)
- Specified Systems Guidance for Customers, WBCA 003 v1.0.1 — Westland District Council BCA, 16 September 2025
- SS 15/1 compliance schedule form — Palmerston North City Council
General information only, not legal or engineering advice. Last reviewed 30 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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