Commercial fit-outs and change-of-use projects can need fire engineering input. We coordinate the architectural consent package with the fire specialist's report so council can assess the information together.
Bottom line
Escape routes, occupant load, fire separations, alarms, doors, services and tenancy layout can all affect the consent package. Early coordination reduces the risk of redesign and RFI delays.
Best fit
Use this pathway when the project needs focused commercial consent coordination rather than a general residential consent route.
Cafes, restaurants, retail spaces, offices and other commercial fit-outs where fire design affects consent.
Tenants changing a space in a way that may alter occupant load, escape routes or fire safety systems.
Project teams with a fire engineer already engaged who need drawings and reports coordinated.
Commercial applications where council has requested clarification about fire design or protection from fire.
What may be included
Coordination with a fire engineer or fire consultant where specialist input is required.
Integration of fire report requirements into architectural consent drawings.
Review of layout issues that may affect escape routes, doors, occupant load and fire separations.
Coordination of alarms, specified systems and compliance schedule implications where relevant.
RFI response support for fire-related council questions connected to our documentation.
Clear separation of architectural coordination and specialist fire engineering scope.
Coordination focus
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Escape routes | How occupants move from the tenancy or commercial space to a safe exit. | Layout choices can affect doors, travel paths, signage, alarms and council assessment. |
| Fire separations | Whether walls, floors, openings or adjoining tenancies create fire-rating questions. | Fire separations often require specialist design and documentation alignment. |
| Specified systems | Whether alarms, sprinklers, ventilation or other systems are affected. | Commercial changes can trigger compliance schedule and BWOF considerations. |
| Specialist scope | What the fire engineer is responsible for and what the architectural set needs to show. | Clear scope avoids gaps between the report and drawings. |
Process
We review the address, proposed use, tenancy details, photos, sketches, existing plans and council or landlord notes.
We identify likely architectural, fire, accessibility, structural, drainage, services, specified systems and producer statement needs.
Drawings, specifications and consultant information are aligned so the consent package is easier for council to assess.
If council asks for clarification on our documentation, we help organise the response and consultant updates.
Related pathways
If the project is already stuck, still speculative, or already built, another route may be more useful than a standard commercial consent package.
Official context
Questions
ArchSolutioNZ coordinates fire engineering input as part of the commercial consent package. Specialist fire engineering must be provided by an appropriately qualified fire consultant for that scope.
Fire input may be needed when the work affects escape routes, occupant load, fire separations, alarms, specified systems, tenancy use or public access. The need depends on the existing building and proposed work.
Yes. We can review the council request, identify the architectural and specialist information needed, and help coordinate a clearer response.
Yes. We can coordinate the architectural package with specialist inputs such as structural, fire, accessibility, ventilation, drainage or producer statement requirements where those scopes are needed.
Specialist consultant fees are scoped separately where required. The goal is to identify those inputs early so the commercial consent pathway is clearer before you commit.
Yes. ArchSolutioNZ works across New Zealand with a remote-first workflow, while remaining Auckland-accessible for projects where local context is useful.
Send the tenancy drawings, proposed use, council comments or fire consultant notes and we will help map the next step.
Discuss your commercial project