S1 Multi-storey buildings (NCI 26)
S1 Multi-storey Buildings (NCI 26)
Purpose
This document provides for:
safe and efficient operations at incidents involving multi-storey buildings.
NZFS definition
A multi-storey building is any building with more than three levels (including those below
ground).
Note: other official definitions may define multi-storey differently, such as the
NZS 4541
Sprinkler systems, which specifies 6 or more levels.
Requirements for Multi-storey Buildings
Executive Officers’ responsibilities
Chief Fire Officers will issue a local procedure for managing incidents in multi-storey buildings,
when relevant for their Fire District.
Fire Region Managers will ensure that, if relevant, every Fire District in the Fire Region has a
procedure, in accordance with this instruction.
Local procedures
Local procedures for multi-storey buildings will include:
the response and availability of firefighting resources
appliance parking
greater alarms
command and control
under the Official Information Act
breathing apparatus control
riser procedure
control points and/or staging
the use of:
- helicopters
Released
- fire control centres
- lifts
- staged evacuations
- ventilation/air conditioning
buildings under construction.
NZFS Department of Operations and Training
Page 1 of 2
S1 Multi-storey buildings December 08
S1 Multi-storey buildings (NCI 26)
Hazard Identification and Control: Fighting Fires in multi-storey
Buildings
Hazard control
All hazards must be controlled by eliminating, isolating where elimination is impracticable, or
minimising, using one or more of the control methods given in the following table:
Fighting fires in multi-storey buildings
Act
Hazards
Control measures
Firefighting
Refer to
RD1 Operational safety
all personnel must be trained in the
conditions that may be encountered,
and the safe practices required, when
working at fires in multi-storey buildings
use local operating procedures for
multi-storey buildings
Information
Wearing BA
Refer to
E3-2 Breathing apparatus
Refer to
E3-2 Breathing apparatus
Using lifts
Official
all personnel must be trained in the
Significant hazards:
conditions that may be encountered,
and the safe practices required, when
lift stopping at fire floor or other the
working at fires in multi-storey buildings
malfunction
Falling debris
all personnel must wear structural fire
Significant hazards:
fighting uniform
under
being hit by debris
a safety cordon must be established
around the building
personnel from other services must
wear suitable protective clothing when
working within cordoned area
Buildings under construction, renovation, and demolition
all personnel must be trained in the
Significant hazards:
conditions that may be encountered,
Released
and the safe practices required, when
holes in floors
working at fires in multi-storey buildings
unexpected fire spread
under construction
dry risers not having an air valve
maintain secure escape routes
bleed air from riser before connection
deliveries
NZFS Department of Operations and Training
Page 2 of 2
S1 Multi-storey buildings December 08
