Building Warrant of Fitness in NZ

Building Warrant of Fitness

As a commercial property owner, ensuring that your tenants live in a safe environment should be your top priority. All systems in the building should be in good working condition. However, it is a sad fact that some property owners neglect this responsibility, putting the lives of those that use their buildings in danger. To avert such scenarios, every commercial property owner is required to have a building warranty of fitness.

Understanding the building warrant of fitness
A building warrant of fitness is a legal document that’s issued by building owners to certify that all the specified systems in the building are functioning correctly. The building warrant of fitness to be issued annually and displayed in places where the public can easily access it. This certificate is only issued after an independent qualified person inspects, carries out maintenance and compiles a report showing the condition of the specified systems in the building.                                                                       
It is important to note that some independent qualified persons only specialize in certain systems. Therefore, ensure that you work with one that’s experienced enough on the systems in your building. Your IQP will issue you with a form 12A that has to be presented with the building warrant of fitness to the local authority in charge of building compliance.
Finding Independent qualified personnel to work with is a very important step in the generation of a building warrant of fitness. The first step in finding the best IQP to help audit the specified systems in your building is to Consult Building Compliance Inspections. We are in a position to provide you with the list of all registered IQPs. You can go through the list to find an independent qualified person that’s best suited to inspect your building. If an IQP is not registered with this council, do not work with them.

Why is it important to work with a local IQP?
For your building compliance needs, it is advisable to work with a local IQP and here’s why:
       i. It is cheaper
By working with a building compliance expert that’s from your region, they don’t add transportation cost to their fee, which makes it cost-effective to work with them.
      ii. Good local knowledge
If there’s someone that can give you the best building compliance services, it is one that understands your locality well enough. A local IQP understands the compliance laws of your locality, and the geography of the area, which is an important factor when accessing the building.
    iii. They are well networked with local contractors
In some cases, during the inspection, your IQP may find areas that need to be repaired. With a local IQP, you won’t have to worry about getting a contractor to repair. This is because most of them are well networked with contractors from your region, and they can easily contact them to come and help with the work. Remember, a local contractor also has a better understanding of the code that governs how repair and maintenance are done on buildings within your locality.



Article From https://buildingcompliance.wordpress.com/2019/12/25/building-warrant-of-fitness-in-nz/

Electrical Protective Devices

There are various protective devices that can be used with portable electric power tools. These include the isolating transformer, the earth-leakage circuit breaker and the RCD.

Isolating Transformer

The isolating transformer plugs into the power supply and provides one of the safest ways to use a portable power tool. A portable power tool connected to an isolating transformer is fully isolated from earth. If a fault occurs, you will not receive an electric shock. You must plug the transformer into the power outlet (wall socket) so that it isolates the whole circuit. This is especially important when you’re using tools connected to extension cords. If you plug the transformer into the end of an extension cord, the cord is not protected.

Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker

An earth leakage circuit breaker also plugs into the power supply. It will cut off the power very quickly if a live part is touched or otherwise earths.

Residual Current Devices (RCD)

RCDs are devices that can sense a leakage of current in a circuit, and switch the circuit off. All RCDs legally require a test button to check whether they are operating efficiently and correctly. You should test an RCD regularly to ensure that it will work properly should a fault develop in the circuit. Types of RCD include

• The plugin RCD adaptor is suitable for use with most portable electric tools and appliances. You plug the tool, appliance or extension cord directly into the RCD adaptor
• The inline RCD extension cord is a safer alternative to a normal extension cord. You can plug it into any power outlet, and it protects the user of a power tool or appliance.
• The fixed wired wall mounted RCD is permanently wired into bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. You use this type of RCD to run shavers, hairdryers, smoothing irons and other similar appliances.
• The switchboard mounted RCD is permanently installed at the switchboard and can be wired to provide protection to a complete circuit.

Double Insulated Tools

The international symbol for double insulation is a square within a square. Double insulated tools have additional insulation between any exposed metal parts and the insulation of the current-carrying parts, hence the term “double insulation”. A double insulated tool may be used inside or outside, in wet or dry conditions or on earthed metals, but it is sensible to use an isolating transformer with double insulated tools. The lead supplying power to the tool needs to be electrically safe as well, either through an isolating transformer or RCD. Even when double insulted tools marked with a double square are used. Double insulation will not protect the user from risks caused by faulty leads or plugs.

from https://electricianrotorua.wordpress.com/2019/10/16/electrical-protective-devices/

Fire Extinguisher Requirements For Vehicles And Boats

In the table below we go over the minimum requirements for vehicle and vessel fire extinguishers. This general guidance does not replace other rules, regulations and codes of practice that deal with specific types of vehicles, commercial ships and watercraft. For pleasure craft greater than 6m in length, additional fire extinguishers may be warranted.

From

https://fireprotectiononline.co.nz/fire-extinguisher-requirements-for-vehicles-and-boats/

From

https://fireprotectiononline.blogspot.com/2019/10/fire-extinguisher-requirements-for.html

How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

 

Steps Of How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

Knowing the steps of how to use a fire extinguisher before a fire occurs could be the difference between successfully extinguishing the fire or the fire getting out of control.Fire extinguishers should only be used in the following circumstances:

• Once evacuation has been initiated.
• When the fire service has been called.
• When it is safe to do so considering the size and location of the fire.
• Access to the fire is unrestricted, and a safe retreat is possible at all times.

Remember life is more important than property, don’t put yourself or others at risk.

From
https://fireprotectiononline.co.nz/how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher/

From

https://fireprotectiononline.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-use-fire-extinguisher.html

NZ Fire Extinguisher Types And Fire Class

NZ Fire Extinguisher Types And Fire Class

Fire is a constant danger when you're using flammable materials in any workshop. Your safety depends on whether you can

• Identify the cause of the fire.
• Identify the correct extinguisher to use on different fires.
• Correctly operate the fire extinguisher.

Elements of fire

• Fuel, heat and oxygen must be present before there can be a fire:
• Fuel is anything combustible: any solid, liquid or gas that can burn, for example, wood, paper, oil, solvents and so on.
• Heat can come from flames, sparks, friction, electrical sources, hot pipes and equipment.
• Oxygen comes mainly from the air but also from some chemicals.

To put out a fire, remove one of the three elements by:

• Removing fuel to starve the fire.
• Removing oxygen to smother the fire.
• Cooling the heat by using water.

Types of fire

The fuel that is burning dictates the kind of extinguisher you use to fight the fire. To help you understand this concept, you need to know how fires are classified and which fire extinguishers are suitable for each class. We will look at the following classes of fire A, B, E, and D.

Class A Fires

Class A fires start when materials such as paper, rubbish, wood, cloth or other carbon-based materials ignite.

Class B Fires

Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as paints, oil and petrol. With these materials, its the vapours or fumes that burn rather than the liquid. Because the vapours are lighter than the air, they can drift away from the seat of the fire, and then ignite, causing what's called a flash off. This instantaneously increases the size of the fire and is very dangerous.

Class D Fires

Class D fires are fires involving combustible metals such as sodium, magnesium, lithium and potassium. Specialised dry powders are available to control these fires.

Class E Fires

Class E fires are electrical fires. They usually start because of short circuit or arching in loose connections, or because wiring becomes overheated. You must be very careful here because there is the added risk of electrical shock as well as the threat from the fire. Switch off the power if you can safely.

Types Of Fire Extinguisher

Fire Extinguisher Types NZ

There are five types of fire extinguisher found throughout the working environment, they are

• Carbon Dioxide
• Dry Powder
• Foam
• Water
• Wet Chemical

The type of fire extinguisher you can use for each class of fire is as follows
Class A Fires: Water, dry powder, foam, co2 and wet chemical extinguishers are suitable for this kind of fire. Your best plan of attack is to locate the nearest fire hose. This will give you a constant stream of cold water. The temperature at the base of the fire will cool to a point below that needed for combustion to take place.
Class B Fires: these fires can be put out using foam, dry powder or co2 extinguishers. These starve the fire of the oxygen it requires for burning. Water is useless in these situations because it will only spread the fuel around and increase the base of the fire.
Class D Fires: these fires require specialised powders and are usually designed for a specific metal such as lithium, sodium, magnesium, etc. Sand can also be used to smother the fire. Using water would produce hydrogen (H2) and cause an explosion.
Class E Fires: use dry powder or co2 extinguishers to fight electrical fires. Neither of these conducts electricity, and both starve the fire of the oxygen it requires for burning.
You must never use water on an electrical fire. Water and electricity do not mix. Water is a good conductor and will suck the electricity to the source of the water.
Fire extinguishers are colour coded to help you identify the contents and which kind of fire they should be used on. They have easy to follow operating instructions. Make sure that you read these instructions before you have to use an extinguisher. This will save you time in a real emergency situation and help you feel more confident.

Fire Hose Reels

Fire hose reels should be located to provide a reasonably accessible and controlled supply of water to combat potential fire risks. The length of a fully extended fire hose is normally between 18 to 36 metres. Hose diameters are usually 13 or 19 millimetres ( internal measurement).
Fire hose reels usually deliver a minimum of 14 litres of water per minute. However, some hose reels have flows of up to 75 litres per minute. A control nozzle attached to the end of the hose enables the operator to control the direction and flow of the water.

From

https://fireprotectiononline.blogspot.com/2019/09/nz-fire-extinguisher-types-and-fire.html

Which Fire Extinguisher Should I Use to Put Out an Electrical Fire?

Surprisingly, baking soda can put out a small, contained fire.

However, it would require a great deal of baking soda and your fire may not be included.

Preferably, be prepared with a Class E CO2 fire extinguisher. This will effectively put out an electrical fire stemming from home appliances, electrical wiring, outlets and breaker and is, therefore, the best fire extinguisher for an electrical fire.


CO2 fire extinguishers work by lowering the quantity of oxygen offered to the fire.

They contain co2-- this is necessary for electrical fires as water or other liquids could make the fire even worse.

You will see a black stripe on the extinguisher with 'CO2' plainly printed.

To discover how to utilize a fire extinguisher refer to our short article "How To Utilize A Fire Extinguisher-- PASS Technique".

WHAT IS A CLASS E FIRE?

Any fires triggered by electrical devices or appliances (heating systems, switchboards and so on) are categorized as Class E fires.

Here are some warning indications you might have an electrical fire:

Your breaker keeps tripping
A persistent burning odour that you can't locate the source of
Burnt or discoloured outlets or switches
Need to you see any of these, call your electrician immediately to fix the issue.

HOW TO AVOID AN ELECTRICAL FIRE?

Did you understand that lots of electrical fires are avoidable?

Some electrical fires result from appliance failure or wiring issues, but others are triggered by errors that we make around the house or office.

To help in reducing the risk of electrical fires, we are going to take a look at the leading five causes and what you can do to prevent them.

An electrical fire caused by malfunctioning outlet or circuitry
Defective outlets and home appliances
Prevention:
Examine your outlets. Look for exposed wires and gaps in between the outlet and wall around it.

Pay specific attention to those outlets used regularly, such as the bathroom and kitchen. Outlets in these locations should also be installed somewhere that can prevent water.

Replace old home appliances. You ought to never use an appliance that has a worn cord as this can send out heat onto other surfaces and trigger a fire. Check these frequently and if you find a fault, alter the cord or appliance.

Electrical wiring
Avoidance:
Call an expert. Old electrical wiring has a hard time to handle the variety of electrical devices that are included with time, such as air conditioning unit and wide-screen TVs.

An electrical contractor will be able to identify and replace old electrical wiring. Guarantee they perform a detailed security check of circuitry and outlets.

Lighting fixtures
Prevention:
Inspect the optimum advised bulb wattage. You will increase the threat of electrical fire if you select a light bulb with a higher wattage than this amount.

Never go over the recommended wattage for a light or lighting fixture.

Extension cables and power boards
Avoidance:
Use sparingly. Extension cables ought to only ever be utilized as a short-term option for minimal plug sockets. Don't keep home appliances plugged into extension cords for an extended period.

Prevent overloading power boards. Too many devices in one powerboard can cause a fire.

Area heaters
Avoidance:
Keep 3 feet far from environments. It's best to utilize your heating system in the middle of the room, away from other objects that might set on fire. The general guideline is 3 feet away from other things.

Do not plug into power boards or extension cables. They can not manage the high energy circulation needed for an area heater and can ignite.

Change old devices. You need never to utilize an appliance that has a worn cord as this can send heat onto other surface areas and trigger a fire. Inspect these regularly and if you find a fault, alter the cord or home appliance.

Don't keep devices plugged into extension cords for a long duration of time.
From
https://fireprotectiononline.blogspot.com/2019/09/which-fire-extinguisher-should-i-use-to.html


It's finest to use your heating unit in the middle of the room, away from other things that may set on fire.

Fire Extinguisher Types NZ

Types Of Fire Extinguisher NZ

New Zealand fire extinguisher types differ from those found around the world. It is essential that you are familiar which fire extinguisher is suitable for each class of fire. It's simple to identify the type of fire extinguisher by the band of colour running around the top of the cylinder.

The Five Main Types Of Fire Extinguishers found In NZ Are:

Aqueous film-forming foam

Carbon Dioxide

Dry Chemical Powder

Water

Wet Chemical 

 

From

https://fireprotectiononline.co.nz/different-types-of-fire-extinguishers-new-zealand/  

From

https://fireprotectiononline.blogspot.com/2019/09/fire-extinguisher-types-nz.html