ARGEST NZ, Author at Argest NZ

New Installations And Extensions Of Sprinklers And Fire Alarms

Argest Fire provides commissioning inspections on new sprinklers and fire alarms at all stages of the building process from small shop fit-outs to large multi-story buildings, providing a survey report and recommendations for commissioning. Argest Fire can also provide pre-build/design stage flow testing for your new fire sprinkler installation projects.

Fire System Assessment Services

Argest Fire provides fire alarm audits and condition assessments as an independent check of your fire alarm protection. Argest provides assessment services to validate fire system interface testing being provided in your buildings to ensure your compliance and health and safety obligations are being met.

Passive fire Assessment

Argest specialises in Passive Fire Compliance. In addition to IQP inspections required for a Building Warrant of Fitness, Argest provides comprehensive audits of all Passive Fire systems, including installation and position of existing systems, identification of issues, defects, and risks. Argest provide consultancy on compliance standards, assistance with scoping of any repair or maintenance and can assist with the management of remediations, including scoping for tenders, supplier selection and project management. As we are independent to installers and product suppliers, we ensure our clients get the most appropriate solution to ensure the Passive Fire Protection systems are place to provide the protection needed.

Project Management

Argest provides specialist project management, especially where there are major asset assessments, consent management and national roll out of specified system/asset upgrades across your portfolio or nationally. This includes the engagement, coordination, and management of:

Technical reviews and independent design advice.
Contract and works tender management.
Program management, work in progress reporting, and dashboards.
Program risk management.
Contractor management and site audit.
Completion review and recommendations for acceptance.

System upgrade program management

Managing the replacement or refurbishment of key Specified Systems installed across your portfolio can be complicated with design, product and installer selection requiring specialist industry knowledge. Our clients agree that real value for building owners is achieved by employing an independent contract manager. Our job is to ensure that contractors provide the value, service, and performance you require. We provide a flexible service that can:

Use your preferred contractors, our recommended providers, or select them through a competitive tender we manage on your behalf.
Facilitate your project through the consenting process with your TA.
Provide independent management of the service, ensuring you have specialist advice on the outcomes and completion standard.
Conduct regular audits and site inspections to ensure schedules and standards are maintained
Propose practical solutions that meet your needs and the concerns of the contractor.
Manage the process from consent through to compliance and ensure the TA updates your Compliance Schedule.

Asset condition and risk assessments

Argest can provide a scheduled condition and risk assessment service to complement the maintenance and lifecycle management processes you have in place for the Specified Systems installed across your building portfolio. We work with you to determine what information and rating system you require. We then establish and complete an inspection and assessment schedule across an agreed period, which is set at what works best for you and the asset’s lifecycle. As part of this service Argest will provide:

Bespoke inspection check sheets and reporting.
Integration into an electronic scheduling and work management system.
Progress reporting and data export facility (Excel) for asset management.
Defect reporting and status updates.
Option to include defect remediation management (using provider of your choice).
Audits and Site Inspections to ensure standards are maintained.

Fire System Reports

Argets Fire Reports Identifies the Specified Systems installed in your building that help ensure that you are meeting your inspection obligations, and ensure the safety of any occupants of the building.

Argest Fire offers full site inspections to identify all things in place to protect you and your building in the event of a fire.

Water flow testing

Water flow testing measures the pressure of the main water supply feeding your sprinklers, ensuring the sprinkler system works as intended when needed.

Argest Fire can provide Water Flow Testing to make sure the system is the right pressure, lowering the chance of leaks and ineffective sprinklers.

Testing of sprinkler backflow protection

Backflow prevention devices are fitted throughout your commercial property to prevent cross-contamination of your water supply to the potable drinking water the Council supplies to your boundary.

Argest Fire can test the backflow prevention device that is fitted to your fire sprinkler system and provide an annual test certificate for your Building Warrant of Fitness.

Annual or Biennial Sprinkler surveys

Argest Fire can maintain a survey schedule for your sprinkler systems, as is mandatory to comply with the requirements of your Building Warrant of Fitness. These inspections are completed either annually or biennially depending on the standard to which the system was installed and the requirements of your local council.

If you are installing a new sprinkler or alarm system, Argest Fire can work with your installer to carry out the surveys needed to comply with your legal obligations. Argest is committed to giving you peace of mind that your building will have fire protection when you need it most.

Monthly Owners Inspections

We can help you take care of your monthly “Owners” checks where required under the Building Act 2004. You need to know the best option for you and your business and choose the right one for you. Argest can help through:

Supply of information, check sheets and logs to allow you to manage these with existing site staff.
Advice on how to leverage the most out of your existing fire service contractor.
Providing our own highly trained inspectors, especially in large, complex buildings or sites where extra assurance is needed.

IQP Services

Argest can arrange your IQP inspections using our in-house IQP’s and specialist IQP subcontractors. While we have a strong focus on Passive Fire Specified Systems, we also have IQP’s for Specified Systems such as Backflow Preventors and Emergency Lighting. Argest understands the broad range of Specified Systems needing compliance and so we adopt a best-in-class approach. With a network of the most skilled IQP’s in New Zealand, we can arrange inspections for many highly specialised systems such as fire alarms, lifts, heating and ventilation systems, and doors that are automatic or access controlled.

Building Warrant of Fitness

Argest can assist Property Managers, Facility Managers and Building Owners, who have Specified Systems installed in their buildings, to provide an annual Building Warrant of Fitness to local Territorial Authorities as required by the Building Act.

BWOF management and issue
Compliance Schedule Management
Territorial Authority Liaison
12A Certificate Management and issue for Specified Systems
Specialised Compliance Inspections eg Dangerous Goods
Sub-contactor selection and management
Online Reporting
Regular audits and site inspections to ensure standards are maintained

Author Archives: ARGEST NZ