BRANZ NZ – Fire Lab
Case Study

BRANZ NZ – Fire Lab

Case Study

BRANZ NZ – Fire Lab

The installation of the BRANZ fire lab presented exciting challenges due to its innovative design—featuring elements that were the first of their kind in New Zealand, and in some cases, globally.

TEG Projects joined forces with BRANZ to manage the design and installation of specialist fire testing equipment for its groundbreaking new Fire Lab. Tasked with delivering complex, first-of-their-kind components—including a 10MW smoke hood and seismic furnace upgrades—TEG helped turn innovative concepts into buildable realities, supporting world-leading fire research in New Zealand.

TEG Projects and Branz NZ – Fire Lab
TEG Projects and Branz NZ – Fire Lab
TEG Projects and Branz NZ – Fire Lab
TEG Projects and Branz NZ – Fire Lab

    Client Information

    Goal

    Why TEG Projects

    Solution

    Challenges

    Results
    Get In Touch

    Client Information

    Branz NZ – Fire Lab is a specialised research and testing facility dedicated to advancing fire safety in the built environment. As part of BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand), the Fire Lab conducts rigorous fire resistance and performance testing to support evidence-based building standards and innovations. Their work underpins safer construction practices across New Zealand, providing vital insights for engineers, architects, and regulatory bodies.

    Goal

    The goal was to assist Branz with the project management (design/install) of specialist fire testing equipment – key componentry in BRANZ’s new purpose-built Fire Lab development. Once completed this Fire Lab will complement its Structures and Materials Labs, providing advanced research and testing at scale, to improve the safety and resilience of buildings

    The main components consisted of a 10MW hood, 8m diameter, to capture the smoke from a 3 story building burning underneath, a 5MW hood for 3 story building façade or elevator shaft fire tests, a 1MW hood and associated set dimensioned bedroom sized room, seismic modifications to 3 furnaces (3/4/5MW) and what is called a toast rack for storing up to 5m x 4m test frames used on the front or top of the furnaces for testing clients products, for example a roller door or ceiling battens holding plasterboard. Also, the LPG gas supply to the above-mentioned appliances.

    Why TEG Projects

    BRANZ found TEG Projects via a web search, needing immediate assistance and people with technical project management capability. TEG answered this call with senior project engineer Lindsay O’Neale and senior project manager Andy Stockley.

    Solution

    The TEG staff became an integral part of the BRANZ Project team, picking up threads / concepts of designs and furthering the designs into reality in collaboration with the BRANZ fire engineers.

    Challenges

    The challenges stemmed from pioneering designs—many of which were first-of-their-kind in New Zealand, and in some cases, the world.

    For example, designing a hood to take the smoke and heat from a 10MW 3 story building fire, but also making the hood height adjustable for a single-story fire using a fire curtain as a duct, and sewn as an accordion to unfold/fold during lowering.

    Results

    The build is still ongoing with a few more months to run. The designs have mostly come together now and the projects are moving into what is seen as more traditional project management to complete the supply and installation of components. The designs can then be put to the test with live fire!

     

    Capabilities

    Service Areas

    Project Management

    Project
    Management

    Construction Project Management

    Construction
    Project
    Management

    Programme Management

    Industrial Plant Services

    Safety Engineering

    Safety
    Engineering

    Risk Management

    Risk
    Management

    Feasibility Studies & Master Planning

    Feasibility Studies
    & Master Planning