Upholding New Standards in New Zealand
Industry standards play a critical role in ensuring fire detection systems are safe, reliable, and fit for purpose. They provide a benchmark for quality, guide best practices, and help protect lives and property across the world. Achieving compliance with these standards is not just a regulatory requirement it’s a commitment to excellence. We’re proud to announce that our 6500 Fire Alarm Panel and 6000PLUS devices have recently achieved full accreditation to NZS 4512:2021 and intern listed on FPANZ, confirming its performance, safety, and reliability.
But what is NZS 4512:2021 and a FPANZ listing? what does it mean for the Protec and our products? and more importantly what does it mean to end users and our Distribution Partners? Find out more in this article.
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What is NZS 4512:2021?
NZS 4512:2021 is the New Zealand Standard for fire detection and alarm systems in buildings. It sets out performance-based requirements for the design, installation, commissioning, documentation, and maintenance of these systems. The standard applies broadly to all building types except residential homes.
Replacing the 2010 version, this update aligns with the New Zealand Building Code and supports regulatory compliance, including evacuation approvals under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Regulations 2018. Key changes in the 2021 revision include increased annual heat detector testing (from 2% to 5%), monthly testing for wireless manual call points, stricter documentation protocols, and mandatory visual indicators for system isolations.
This standard plays a critical role in ensuring reliable fire detection systems that protect property and life across New Zealand’s built environment.
What is the FPANZ Listing?
The FPANZ Listing refers to the official product registers maintained by the Fire Protection Association New Zealand (FPANZ). These registers provide a trusted reference for professionals across the fire protection industry, including engineers, architects, consultants, building owners, installers, and regulatory authorities. Being listed signifies that a fire detection product has been independently assessed and verified to meet relevant New Zealand standards and Building Code requirements.
Products included in the FPANZ registers undergo rigorous evaluation to confirm compliance with standards like NZS 4512:2021 for fire alarms. The listing ensures that only certified, code-compliant products are specified, consented, installed, and maintained across projects in New Zealand.
For manufacturers and suppliers, having a product listed with FPANZ demonstrates a commitment to quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. For end users, it provides peace of mind, knowing the products in their buildings are independently verified and fit for purpose.
What does the NZS 4512:2021 mean for the 6500 and Protec?
Achieving NZS 4512:2021 accreditation enhances our credibility, opens new market opportunities, and strengthens trust with clients and regulators. It demonstrates our commitment to quality and safety, upholds our standing as a leader in fire alarm technology and enabling us to support more projects requiring compliant, future-ready fire alarm solutions.
“Achieving accreditation under the latest NZS 4512:2021 standard would not have been possible without the foresight and expertise of our development engineers. Drawing on a multi-disciplinary team spanning circuit design, software, and mechanical engineering, the 6500 Fire Alarm Panel integrates cutting-edge technology with configurable embedded software, allowing swift adaptation to the evolving industry standards.”
– Richard Berry, Conformity Manager, Protec Fire Detection plc
What does the NZS 4512:2021 mean for Distribution Partners and End Users?
For end users, NZS 4512:2021 accreditation means greater assurance that the 6500 and 6000PLUS devices Fire meets the highest safety and performance standards, ensuring reliable protection for people and property.
For export partners, it signals that our product meets internationally respected criteria, simplifying compliance in other regulated markets and enhancing its appeal globally.
“Since the approval of our 6500 Fire Control in 2017 Protec Fire Solutions ANZ have been supplying the NZ Fire Market with innovative technology that has been well received by a forward-thinking Industry. The introduction of NZS4512-2021 offered Protec further opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the NZ Market whilst further introducing our latest advanced technical capabilities overcoming the introduction of several new product clauses that further strengthen the high product standards set in NZ.
Combined with the growth of our Distribution Network Protec Fire Solutions ANZ are looking forward to continuing to support the NZ Fire Market for years to come”
– Ross Addison, General Manager, Protec Fire Solutions ANZ
Overall certification like NZS 4512:2021 provides confidence in both quality and durability, making the 6500 and 6000PLUS range a trusted choice for safety-focused projects at home and abroad.
Finally
If you want to know more about our products in the Australia and New Zealand region you can head over to our dedicated webpage or if you would like to speak to someone about a specific project or product then why not reach out to the team
Also coming soon will be an Australia ANZ specific product brochure which is tailored to the Oceania region. The brochure will showcase all products specially manufactured to the standards for this region so keep an eye on our socials for that brochure launch.