FIRE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26605, 15 December 1951, Page 6

FIRE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION

Issue Of Cede Likely Early In 1952 DRAFTING TAKES TWO YEARS (From .Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 14. After sitting continuously for two years, a committee of the Standards Institute has now reached the final stages of consideration of a code for fire-resistant construction. It is expected that the code will be issued early next year. The code is the outcome of a recommendation by the Royal Commission which investigated the fire at Ballantyne’s shop in Christchurch. The commission reported in 1948, and urged the drafting of a modern standard by-law for all buildings, and expressed the view that it should be enacted in six months.

The first draft code was prepared by Mr V. R. J. Hean, Government architect in the Christchurch office of the Ministry of Works, who was seconded to the committee. His draft was prepared after gathering information from all parts of the world.

Delay in the acceptance of this draft resulted from a further examination by the committee, which received many comments and suggestions from local bodies and other interested organisations after the circulation to them of the proposed code. Almost all the last year has been spent in consideration of the replies received. Agreement has now been reached on almost all points. In its amended final form, the code should be issued early next year.