Anthony Wilson, IPENZ President

Dr Andrew Cleland, IPENZ Chief Executive

Gerry Coates, Chair of the guide working party

• The guide

I am pleased to be here tonight to launch the IPENZ coolstore engineering design guide.

The guide is an excellent example of the engineering profession taking the lead to improve the quality of buildings and to prevent the recurrence of last year's tragedy in Tamahere.

I would like to congratulate all those involved in developing the guide under the leadership of Gerry Coates.

New Zealand has a long history of coolstore fires, owing to a range of factors, including building design and work practices.  In 2008 alone, there were three fires and one, at Tamahere, resulted in the death of a fire fighter and serious injury to several others.

Regardless of the causes of that fire, it is clear that the need for better design is an important lesson that is applicable to all coolstores.  This includes careful selection of refrigerants, better detection and warning systems, effective use of fire separations, and improved coordination between government agencies, councils and building owners.

Because of this document, it will be easier for those working on coolstores to comply with the Building Code and other relevant regulation, while providing a safe and durable building that is fit for purpose.

• IPENZ leadership

The guide produced by IPENZ involved wide cooperation and support from relevant bodies, including the New Zealand Fire Service and the Department of Building and Housing.  I am especially pleased to see an industry organisation such as IPENZ taking a leading role in this process.

As practitioners, engineers are well placed to use their knowledge to achieve a change in industry practices.  I hope that the guide will provide an example to other technical groups working on areas of design concern.

• Review of the building regulatory framework

The Government is seeking to improve the New Zealand building regulatory framework, including the rules relating to fire protection in buildings.  While the basic structure of the system is sound, including its focus on protecting people from fire, there is scope to clarify existing requirements, to reduce regulatory and compliance burdens, and to improve business efficiency.  This will be a priority for the Government.

• Closing remarks

No review and improvement is possible without industry involvement and support.  As the voice of engineers in New Zealand, IPENZ is well placed to provide that support.  I congratulate you again on your hard work, which has resulted in this coolstore design guide, and thank you on behalf of the Government and the building sector.