Fire safety for fireworks, outdoor fires and school sleepovers

Fireworks always come with the risk of starting a fire. Fireworks of any kind are not allowed on school grounds. This includes firework displays.

Pyrotechnics such as explosions, flashes and smoke can be used as special effects in school productions. You must get permission from us, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), if you want to use pyrotechnics at your school.

You should always check whether you need a permit to light a fire – it’ll depend on what fire season your area is in. Your local council may have bylaws or restrictions around outdoor fires in your area too.

Before you light a fire, you should always check:

• wind strength and direction
• ground conditions
• whether there are contaminants in the fire.

Fire seasons, fire danger and permits – FENZopen_in_new

Check if it’s safe to light a fire – FENZopen_in_new

Councils and community responsibilities – FENZopen_in_new

The agreement must include compliance with the fire safety requirements under the New Zealand Building Code. Our fire policy and ‘Designing standards for New Zealand schools’ also has standards that must be met. 

The space used for a sleepover must be on the ground floor, and must not have more than 160 people in it.

The space must have:

• an automatic fire alarm system with smoke detectors (type 4)
• manual call points
• an alarm system connected to FENZ.

A ‘waking watch’ is not a substitution for automatic smoke detection.

The building code – New Zealand Legislationopen_in_new

Designing standards for New Zealand schools

Fire sprinkler systems

If there are more than 40 people in a 'group sleeping area' (a hall, classroom or other area used for sleeping), the area must:

• be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, and
• have 2 or more exits to provide a means of escape.

If the group sleeping area doesn’t have a sprinkler system, then the maximum number of people allowed in it must be under 40.

The space must not include a kitchen – but it can have tea and coffee making facilities.

Fire prevention and evacuation measures

To prevent a fire, make sure that:

• mattresses and other items are away from heaters and heating vents
• power points are not overloaded with phones and other devices, lights, heating or cooking devices.

To ensure everyone can evacuate safely in an emergency, make sure:

• each person has access to a wide and unobstructed pathway to all exits
• all emergency exits are clear and well lit
• everyone is told where the exits are and where to meet if there's a fire
• there are torches on hand.

Your school must have an evacuation scheme in place if more than 5 people are sleeping at the school.

Fire evacuation procedures for schools

You should also ask your local FENZ fire risk management officer for specific advice on what else your school can do to make sleepovers safe.

Contact us – FENZopen_in_new

FENZ has guidance on how to reduce the risk of deliberately lit fires at your school.

Protecting your school from arson – FENZopen_in_new