Firewalls

Building and construction firewalls in New Zealand come in three main types – double, cantilevered, or tied.

A doulbe firewall is characterised by two walls with flashing in between. The walls are supported on their sides by the frame and act independently from each other. This type of firewall is commonly used when building next to existing structures.

Unlike double firewalls, which have side support, a cantilevered firewall is connected at the foundations. However, it can be reinforced laterally using pilasters. Cantilevered firewalls often have height limits.

Tied firewalls are incorporated into the building frame, granting them higher resistance to structural damage. They’re commonly used to build inner walls to increase their strength and prevent them from collapsing.

Choosing high-quality firewalls in New Zealand helps improve a structure’s resistance to fire, preventing them from collapsing and keeping building occupants safe. Since it acts independently, a building firewall also contributes to higher stability. Given the importance of a firewall to a building’s overall safety during a fire emergency, it’s important to choose a solution from a reputable supplier with a proven track record in the industry. In doing so, you’ll have peace of mind that your building has a robust and reliable firewall to help protect it and its occupants in the unlikely event of a fire.

Construction firewalls are required to follow exact specifications in New Zealand in terms of their structural integrity, length, and height to boost their efficiency. Additionally, they must be paired with fire doors and other protection systems. Given the technicalities of the product and the way in which it works within a wider fire protection system, it is always best to seek professional advice when choosing these products. They can guide you through the different elements like what’s appropriate in terms of fire rating for your building and any other firestopping mechanics that you should be considering. Building code fire wall requirements should be checked against the project’s fire design and the required fire rating. Fire rated walls are specified to provide the level of separation required by the building design.

Products for a garage firewall are included in the range, with the appropriate wall and fire rating determined by the building design. A business firewall can also form part of a wider fire protection system, subject to the project’s compliance requirements. A fire barrier wall may form part of that wider system, while the location of a fire cell informs the required separation.