Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111

Fire safety regulations overview

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018

Under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018, building owners, tenants, and occupants each have important roles in maintaining fire safety and meeting legal requirements.

Learn more about the responsibilities that apply to you, or access the full legislation: Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018(external link).

Regulations and obligations depend on who you are

Building owners

An owner of a building is the individual or entity that holds the legal title to the property.

Owners have important responsibilities under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018 to ensure the building complies with the relevant fire safety standards. This includes ensuring the building has the necessary fire protection systems in place, and may also require the building owner to provide and maintain an evacuation scheme that has been approved by Fire and Emergency.

To learn more about your obligations as a building owner, visit regulations for building owners.

Building tenants

A building tenant is a person who pays rent to the owner of the building, whether as a party to a tenancy agreement, lease, or other contractual arrangement.

Building tenants have specific responsibilities under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018. While certain obligations remain with the building owner, a building’s tenants must ensure their use of the premises complies with fire safety requirements, including by maintaining the means of escape in a fire. Tenants must also protect those they are responsible for, such as employees or visitors under their care.

To learn more about your obligations as a building tenant, visit regulations for building tenants and occupants.

Building occupants

A building occupant is any person lawfully entitled to be in the building. This can include visitors, or permanent occupants who may live or work in the building. Under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018, all building occupants have a responsibility to take reasonable fire prevention measures and follow the provided evacuation procedure.

To learn more about your obligations as a building occupant, visit regulations for building tenants and occupants.

Learn about your legal obligations