The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) is an independent building research and testing provider.
We use systems knowledge, collaborative research, and our broad networks to identify practical solutions that improve building system performance. We collaborate and share building insights and opportunities to cultivate strong relationships with industry, government and system players. This gives us the knowledge and ability to understand the full building system, and the areas we can influence to best drive change.
The new fire laboratory (opening early 2025) is designed to enhance the understanding of fire risk in modern buildings. Our testing capability ranges from small-scale materials to full-scale systems and even complete buildings. The features multiple fire resistance furnaces, Facades testing, ISO room and Cone testing, and a 10MW hood free-burn area. The large-scale free-burn calorimetry 10MW hood will permit the measurement and analysis of the combustion products (smoke), carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide production rates, allowing us to quantify fire development in full-scale buildings.
