SS 15 covers other fire safety features in a means of escape: evacuation communication systems, final exits, fire separations, evacuation signs and smoke separations (15/1 to 15/5). They count only where the escape route also contains systems from SS 1–6, 9 or 13. Checks range from daily to annual.
At a glance
| Specified system | SS 15 |
| Official name | Other fire safety systems or features (means of escape) |
| Sub-categories | SS 15/1 Systems for communicating spoken information intended to facilitate evacuation SS 15/2 Final exits (as defined by clause A2 of the building code) SS 15/3 Fire separations SS 15/4 Signs for communicating information intended to facilitate evacuation SS 15/5 Smoke separations |
| Typical intervals | Daily, monthly, 6-monthly and annual (varies by task; see below) |
| Standards often cited | NZS 4512, AS 1670.4, AS 1851-2012, NZS 4520, AS 1530.4, AS/NZS 1905, NZS 4232 |
| Annual certificate | Form 12A from an IQP, attached to the building warrant of fitness |
What SS 15 covers
- Count only where they form part of a building's means of escape from fire that also contains any of the systems in SS 1-6, 9 or 13.[1]
- Item 15 was added to Schedule 1 on 12 January 2006 (SR 2005/338).[1]
- 15/1 examples: building intercom for Fire and Emergency NZ use, PA system for staged evacuation, emergency warning intercom (EWIS).[2]
- 15/2 examples: exit door to the street, gate at base of external stair, door between hospital evacuation zones.[2]
- 15/3 examples: fire doors, walls forming a safe path, fire-rated floor over a service cupboard.[2]
- 15/4: exit, no-exit and directional signs that help occupants evacuate.[3]
- 15/5 examples: walls forming a protected path, smoke-resistant lift lobby, smoke stop door.[2]
- Each building's compliance schedule sets the actual inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures; frequencies below are typical examples from the cited documents.[2]
Which buildings have it
- Buildings whose escape routes also contain SS 1-6 (e.g. sprinklers, alarms, emergency lighting), SS 9 or SS 13 systems.[1]
How often it is inspected
| System | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | 3-monthly | 6-monthly | Annual | 2–5 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 15 Other fire safety features (means of escape) | no | no | no |
| Task | Typical frequency | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 15/1 inspection | Monthly and annual (NZS 4512) or six-monthly and annual (AS 1851) | IQP[3] |
| 15/2 final exits open, not locked/barred/blocked | Daily for crowd buildings (risk group CA; the Handbook uses the old purpose groups CS, CL, CO, CM) and where work affects the exit; monthly otherwise | Owner[2] |
| 15/3 fire separations | Daily when occupied (crowd occupancies), six-monthly (crowd), monthly and annual (others) | —[2] |
| 15/5 smoke separations | Daily, monthly, six-monthly by owner or IQP; annual by IQP | Owner[4] |
| 15/4 illuminated signs | Monthly; non-illuminated annual | —[3] |
| 15/2-15/5 annual inspection | Annual | IQP[3] |
What an inspection typically covers
- 15/2: exit opens, not locked, barred or blocked; locks visible, keyless, don't override panic bolts.[2]
- 15/3: damage to closures, firestopping and finishes; new unsealed penetrations.[2]
- 15/3 six-monthly/annual: door hardware, self-closing and latching, seals, labels, firestopping.[2]
- 15/4: signs correct type, in place, legible and lit; stay lit on mains failure.[3]
- 15/5: doors close and latch, seals intact, closers within acceptable force, hold-opens working.[4]
Standards commonly cited
| Standard | Title |
|---|---|
| NZS 4512 | Fire detection and alarm systems in buildings (2003, 2010 and 2021 editions listed for 15/1)[5] |
| AS 1670.4:2018 | Emergency warning and intercom systems[3] |
| AS 1851-2012 | Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment[5] |
| NZS 4520:2010 | Fire resistant door sets[4] |
| AS 1530.4:2014 | Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures - Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction[4] |
| C/AS1 and C/AS2 (C/AS3–C/AS7 are legacy and now revoked) | Acceptable Solutions for Building Code clauses C1-C6 Protection from fire (Parts 2 and 4 cited for separations)[4] |
| F8/AS1 | Acceptable Solution for clause F8 Signs, Section 4 (exit signs), for 15/4[3] |
| AS/NZS 1905 | Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls (cited for fire separations)[2] |
| NZS 4232 | Fire resisting glazing systems (cited by the Handbook)[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
- 15/2 assessed against clause C4 (C4.3(a), C4.5).[3]
- 15/4 against F8 and emergency illumination under F6 (F6/AS1 or photoluminescent 5 mcd/m2).[3]
- Final exits, fire separations and smoke separations take their definitions from Building Code clause A2.[1]
Questions
How often is SS 15 inspected?
MBIE and council guidance shows tasks at these intervals: daily, monthly, 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 15?
Commonly cited: NZS 4512, AS 1670.4, AS 1851-2012, NZS 4520, AS 1530.4, AS/NZS 1905, NZS 4232. The compliance schedule names the standard and edition for each building.
Who can certify SS 15?
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
- Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use, and Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005, Schedule 1 — Parliamentary Counsel Office (legislation.govt.nz), Reprint as at 16 December 2019
- 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 15/5 compliance schedule form — Palmerston North City Council
- 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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