Building consent for freestanding and inbuilt fires
Why do I need to obtain a building consent?
A building consent for a fire is required by law under the New Zealand Building Act 1991. It is important to be aware that your household insurance may be invalid if an incorrectly installed fire causes damage to your property.
How do I obtain a building consent?
Building consent application forms are available from any Council area office or they can be posted out to you if requested. You will need to provide the following information:
- Two copies of plans drawn to scale detailing:
- location of proposed fireplace with measurements to windows and doors to ensure curtains are not able to be blown onto fire and subsequently catch fire
- details of construction of new hearth
- Two copies of manufacturer’s installation specifications
Whether the consent is to cover the installation of a wetback and if so, details of same.
Inspections
It is important to call for the relevant inspections to ensure the fire has been installed correctly. The inspections for the different fires are as follows:
| Free standing fire | Final inspection after fire has been installed and before it is used. |
| Inbuilt fire: | Final inspection after fire has been installed and before it is used. |
| NOTE: The existing chimney must be swept before the fire is installed or certified | |
| by the your installer. Proof of this should be made available to the building | |
| inspector at the final inspection with either the receipt from the chimney sweep or | |
| a producer statement from installer. | |
| Wetback fire: | Preline plumbing inspection before pipes are covered up in walls and final |
| inspection after fire has been installed and before it is used. |
Provided the installation is in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and has been inspected at the relevant stages outlined above, a Code Compliance Certificate will be issued.
 |
 Consents |
| Building consents |
| - Freestanding and inbuilt fires |
| - Private sewage pumping stations |
| Compliance schedule |
| Heritage consents |
| Inspections |
| Resouce consents |
| Schedule of fees |
| Tree consents |