FENZ Act 2017 and Evacuation Regulations 2018
Two pieces of legislation govern fire safety and building evacuation in New Zealand workplaces:
- The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 (FENZ Act) — establishes Fire and Emergency New Zealand and sets duties around fire safety
- The Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2018 — specifies requirements for evacuation schemes, drills, and fire safety management in buildings
These regulations apply where your organisation occupies a building and are administered by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). They operate alongside — not instead of — your HSWA duties.
This page is not legal advice. For specific compliance questions, consult a qualified health and safety advisor or lawyer.
Who the evacuation regulations apply to
Section titled “Who the evacuation regulations apply to”Not all buildings are required to have a formal evacuation scheme. The regulations distinguish between:
Buildings requiring an evacuation scheme (approved by FENZ):
- Buildings with an automatic sprinkler system
- Buildings with more than 2 storeys above ground level
- Buildings that can accommodate more than 100 people at the same time
- Sleeping accommodation for more than 5 people
- Buildings used as schools, early childhood facilities, healthcare, or places of detention
- Buildings the Fire Commissioner has directed to have a scheme
Other workplaces (evacuation procedure only): Workplaces not in the above categories must still have an evacuation procedure — they just do not need a formally approved scheme. A documented procedure covering how to alert occupants, evacuate the building, and account for everyone is required.
Evacuation schemes
Section titled “Evacuation schemes”If your building requires an approved scheme, you must:
- Prepare an evacuation scheme — documenting the procedures for evacuation, the roles and responsibilities of wardens, the location of exits and assembly points, and how people with mobility impairments will be assisted
- Submit the scheme to FENZ for approval (FENZ may inspect the building)
- Appoint and train evacuation wardens — sufficient wardens to manage an orderly evacuation
- Conduct evacuation drills — at least every 6 months for workplaces with night occupancy or sleeping accommodation; at least annually for other buildings
- Review and update the scheme — whenever there are significant changes to the building, its use, or its occupancy
SteadyOn support:
| Requirement | SteadyOn record |
|---|---|
| Evacuation scheme document | Documents module — store the approved scheme |
| Warden training records | Training module — Fire Safety category |
| Evacuation drill scheduling | Inspections module — schedule drill as a recurring inspection |
| Drill completion records | Inspections module — record pass/fail outcomes |
| Warden certification expiry | Training BRAG status — flags expiring warden training |
Evacuation wardens
Section titled “Evacuation wardens”Evacuation wardens must be trained in their duties. Training typically covers:
- Roles and responsibilities during an evacuation
- How to search and clear areas
- How to assist people with mobility impairments
- How to account for everyone at the assembly point
- How to liaise with emergency services
Warden training should be refreshed whenever the evacuation scheme is updated or when a warden changes roles.
SteadyOn support: Track all evacuation warden training in the Training module under the Fire Safety certification category. The BRAG system will flag certifications approaching expiry and prompt retraining before wardens lapse.
Fire safety inspections
Section titled “Fire safety inspections”Regardless of whether a formal evacuation scheme is required, good practice is to inspect fire safety equipment and arrangements on a regular basis. This includes:
- Fire extinguishers (location, condition, annual service, correct type for hazard)
- Fire hose reels and sprinkler systems (serviced by a licensed installer)
- Fire detection systems (smoke alarms, heat detectors, panel)
- Emergency lighting and signage
- Exit doors (unobstructed, functioning hardware)
- Assembly area (clearly signed and accessible)
SteadyOn support: Use the Inspections module (Fire Safety Inspection template) to schedule and complete regular fire safety checks. The inspection record documents what was checked, by whom, and when — giving you an audit trail for any FENZ inspection.
Relationship to HSWA
Section titled “Relationship to HSWA”Your HSWA duty of care requires you to maintain a safe workplace — this explicitly includes protection from fire. The FENZ Act and Evacuation Regulations set the minimum standard for one specific aspect of that duty. Meeting the evacuation regulations satisfies part of your HSWA obligation, but not all of it: you still need to manage fire risk through your hazard register, maintain fire safety equipment, and ensure your workers are trained.
Think of it this way:
- FENZ regulations — the minimum bar for evacuation readiness
- HSWA hazard register — your documented evidence that fire risk is being actively managed
- SteadyOn — the system that ties both together
Summary checklist
Section titled “Summary checklist”| Requirement | How to manage in SteadyOn |
|---|---|
| Evacuation scheme (if required) | Documents — upload approved scheme |
| Evacuation procedure (all workplaces) | Documents — upload procedure |
| Warden appointments and training | Training — Fire Safety category |
| Drill scheduling | Inspections — schedule recurring drill |
| Drill records | Inspections — record completion + notes |
| Fire extinguisher checks | Inspections — Fire Safety template |
| Emergency lighting checks | Inspections — Fire Safety template |
| Fire as a hazard | Hazard Register — document fire risk and controls |
Further reading
Section titled “Further reading”- Conduct an Inspection — scheduling and completing the Fire Safety inspection
- Managing Training Records — tracking warden certification
- NZ Regulatory Framework — overview of all regulations
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand — FENZ guidance on evacuation schemes