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New fire and structural engineering labs

BRANZ's new research and testing laboratories can simulate fire, earthquakes and extreme weather at scale and in close-to-realistic conditions. This work is essential in keeping New Zealanders safe for generations to come.

Looking to test a building product or system? Find out more about BRANZ’s fire and structural testing services.

Over the past decade, Aotearoa New Zealand has been impacted by many emergency events such as the Kaikōura earthquake, fires at Loafers Lodge and the Port Hills and widespread flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

In the wake of these major events, there is an urgent need to ensure Aotearoa’s buildings can better protect people from whatever the future holds.

In June 2025, BRANZ opened a new purpose-built fire lab. The facility can test fire performance in full scale buildings up to three-storeys high and simulate fire spread in much taller structures. Internationally recognised testing will be available for local and overseas manufacturers to demonstrate compliance within and beyond New Zealand. The new fire facility joins the structural engineering lab which opened in 2023 and our existing materials labs.

These new labs lay the foundations for advanced research and commercial testing that will benefit New Zealanders for decades to come.

Together, these new labs will:

  • help to improve understanding of safety and resilience in multi-storey buildings
  • help ensure products used in New Zealand are safe, durable and fit for purpose
  • test bigger products and more complex systems, faster.
  • BRANZ new structural engineering laboratory

    Structural engineering lab

    BRANZ's new structural engineering lab can test buildings up to 3 storeys high and can now simulate stronger earthquakes and more extreme winds.

    Find out more
  • Fire Research Facade Rig

    Fire lab

    Fires have caused enormous devastation in recent years. Our new fire lab and equipment will help improve understanding of fire risk in modern building practices.

    Find out more
  • Structures lab

    Structural testing services

    BRANZ structural tests demonstrate how building products and systems perform when subjected to external forces.

    Find out more about structural testing
  • Fire Research Hero Image v2

    Fire testing and safety engineering services

    BRANZ provides full consultancy and testing services for the performance of building products, materials and systems when exposed to fire.

    Find out more about fire testing

Updated: 4 July 2025