Specified systems

When you apply for a building consent for a new (or existing) building with specified systems, you need to provide information with your application to enable us to compile (or amend) a compliance schedule.

What is a specified system?

Specified systems are systems or features that help a building to function fully. For example, sprinklers, lifts, ventilation and air conditioning. These systems are crucial to the safety and health of a building and those who use it.

As a building owner it is your responsibility to ensure the systems are inspected and maintained according to the compliance schedule. If they fail to work properly they could adversely affect health or life safety, which may also affect your insurance cover.

Identify specified systems on your building consent application

There are 16 specified systems in the Building Act. These must be identified on your building consent application form.

We will require details of the design features of the specified systems and proposed procedures for inspection, maintenance and reporting so they can be included in the compliance schedule. This will also include the performance standard a specified system is intended to meet, and to continue to meet, for the life of the building. For example, a fire alarm system may be required to meet New Zealand Standard 4512: 2021

Specified systems forms for building compliance

These forms are for sharing with us information about specified systems for your building consent. Also use them if you are making changes to specified systems at your building or if you need to update the information we hold about your building's specified systems. 

SS 1: Automatic systems for fire suppression (eg, sprinkler system)(PDF, 173KB)

SS 2: Automatic and manual emergency warning systems (alarms)(PDF, 198KB)

SS 3/1: Automatic doors(PDF, 162KB)

SS 3/2: Access-controlled doors(PDF, 140KB)

SS 3/3 Interfaced fire or smoke doors or windows(PDF, 139KB)

SS 4: Emergency lighting systems(PDF, 119KB)

SS 5: Escape route pressurisation systems(PDF, 125KB)

SS 6: Riser mains(PDF, 105KB)

SS 7: Automatic backflow prevention devices(PDF, 153KB)

SS 8/1: Passenger-carrying lifts(PDF, 175KB)

SS 8/2: Service lifts(PDF, 155KB)

SS 8/3: Escalators and moving walks (travelators)(PDF, 138KB)

SS 9: Mechanical ventilation or air conditioning systems(PDF, 194KB)

SS 10: Building maintenance units(PDF, 141KB)

SS 11: Laboratory fume cupboards(PDF, 133KB)

SS 12/1: Audio loops(PDF, 127KB)

SS 12/2: FM radio frequency and infrared beam transmission systems(PDF, 140KB)

SS 13/1: Mechanical smoke control systems(PDF, 131KB)

SS 13/2: Natural smoke control systems(PDF, 157KB)

SS 13/3: Smoke curtains(PDF, 167KB)

SS 14/1: Emergency power systems(PDF, 123KB)

SS 14/2: Signs for specified systems 1 to 13(PDF, 335KB)

SS 15/1: Systems for communicating spoken information to facilitate evacuation(PDF, 164KB)

SS 15/2: Final exits(PDF, 198KB)

SS 15/3: Fire separations(PDF, 229KB)

SS 15/4: Signs for communicating information intended to facilitate evacuation(PDF, 167KB)

SS 15/5: Smoke separation(PDF, 230KB)

SS 16: Cable cars(PDF, 127KB)