What Project Teams Need to Know to Ensure Fire Safety During Construction

Commercial and large residential building projects face increasing scrutiny over fire safety compliance. Recent compliance issues across Class 2 to Class 9 buildings have shown that fire safety cannot be treated as a final certification matter. It must be planned, installed, checked and maintained throughout construction.

The National Construction Code (NCC) sets requirements for fire safety in Class 2 to Class 9 buildings. During construction, these requirements take on added importance. Buildings may be incomplete, temporary access routes may change and permanent fire protection systems may not yet be fully operational.

For builders, design teams, contractors and building surveyors, the key issue is not only whether the finished building will comply. The construction site itself must also maintain appropriate fire safety measures as the work progresses.

Why Fire Safety During Construction Matters

Construction sites carry fire risks that differ from completed buildings. Materials may be stored on site before installation. Temporary electrical systems may be in use. Egress paths may shift as work progresses. Fire separation, detection systems and suppression systems may also be incomplete or staged.

This means fire safety planning must be active throughout construction. A building surveyor or fire safety engineer may identify issues if the project team has not considered how fire protection systems will operate before final completion.

These risks are particularly important on multi-storey projects, where construction may continue well above the levels where permanent fire services have been installed or commissioned. As the building increases in height, access for firefighting, occupant movement, temporary egress and the availability of firefighting equipment become more critical.

NCC Requirements During Construction

NCC Clause E1D16 requires fire safety measures to be provided during construction, regardless of the stage of the works.

Builders and site managers must ensure that suitable fire extinguishers are provided on every storey of the building during construction. Fire extinguishers must also be located adjacent to required exits, temporary stairways and paths of egress so that they are readily available in the event of a fire.

Where a building under construction reaches a height of 12 metres or more, fully operational and compliant fire hydrants and fire hose reels must be installed on all storeys, excluding the uppermost two storeys. These systems must remain functional, accessible and available for use throughout the construction phase.

This requirement means that project teams cannot wait until final completion before considering the operation of key fire services. Hydrants, hose reels and associated infrastructure may need to be progressively installed, commissioned and maintained as the building rises.

The Role of the Building Surveyor

A building surveyor plays a critical role in confirming whether construction progress aligns with the NCC and the approved building documentation.

This does not mean the building surveyor is responsible for designing or installing fire safety systems. It does mean they need to consider whether required measures have been properly addressed before relevant inspections or approvals proceed.

Before approving construction stages, a building surveyor should check whether required fire safety measures are installed, accessible and functioning as intended. For example, if fire hydrants, hose reels, extinguishers or booster connections are missing or incomplete, the issue should be resolved before the project advances to a stage that depends on those systems.

For complex projects, the building surveyor should also consider whether any performance solutions affect the staging, installation or temporary operation of fire safety systems. Performance solutions must still demonstrate compliance with the relevant performance requirements of the NCC.

What Designers and Architects Should Consider

Designers and architects should ensure that the approved documentation contains sufficient detail to support fire safety compliance during construction and upon completion.

This includes coordination of architectural layouts, fire services design, egress paths, fire resisting construction and any temporary arrangements required during staged works.

Where the documentation lacks detail, site teams may be left to resolve compliance issues during construction. This can cause delays, rework and inspection problems.

Design teams should also identify whether the project relies on any performance solutions. If so, the design should clearly explain how the solution applies during construction, not only to the completed building.

What Fire Services Designers Should Consider

Fire services designers should plan for progressive installation, commissioning and operation of fire protection systems.

On larger projects, systems may need to function before the whole building is complete. This requires careful staging of hydrants, hose reels, booster connections, valves, pumps, water supplies and other fire-service infrastructure.

Where the fire services design cannot support staged operation, the project team should identify suitable interim measures before they become a site compliance issue.

For buildings reaching 12 metres or more in height, particular attention should be given to when hydrants and hose reels are required to become operational, and how these systems will remain accessible as construction progresses.

Practical Actions for Project Teams

Project teams can reduce compliance risk by taking these actions early:

• Review NCC fire safety requirements before construction starts
• Confirm which fire safety measures apply at each stage of construction
• Ensure suitable fire extinguishers are provided on every storey
• Locate extinguishers adjacent to required exits, temporary stairways and paths of egress
• Identify when the building will reach 12 metres in height
• Coordinate the staged installation and operation of hydrants and hose reels
• Keep extinguishers, hydrants, hose reels and booster connections accessible
• Record inspections, commissioning results and maintenance checks
• Engage the building surveyor early, where staging or performance solutions may affect compliance

These steps help prevent avoidable delays and support safer construction environments.

Key Takeaway

Fire safety during construction is not a final inspection issue. It is an ongoing compliance responsibility that requires coordination among builders, designers, engineers and the building surveyor.

NCC Clause E1D16 makes clear that fire precautions must be maintained during construction, including the provision of extinguishers on every storey and, for buildings reaching 12 metres or more, operational hydrants and hose reels to the required storeys.

Early planning, clear documentation and regular site checks help project teams maintain compliance and reduce risk throughout construction.