Over the past few months, the insurance industry has warned about a prevalent disregard for passive fire protection systems in buildings across New Zealand. Now one company in Dunedin is looking to address this issue.

Founded in 2016, Contego offers fire protection advice, as well as system design, installation and auditing services. Contego founder Justin McEntyre started the company because of his experience as a surveyor and construction project manager, where he observed passive fire protection systems that did not meet proper safety standards.

“I quickly realised there was a bit of another leaky building issue in our industry which was passive fire protection,” McEntyre told Stuff.

Passive fire protection systems impede the spread of fires by utilising design elements such as specially-treated walls. Fire alarms in strategic locations are also characteristics of a properly-designed system, and allow occupants to escape a building in the most efficient manner.

Gaps in fire walls and floors, as well as inadequate ventilation systems and smoke dampeners, have been observed by the Insurance Council in non-compliant construction projects.

McEntyre told Stuff that the Fire Protection Association of New Zealand (FPA) “was looking into whether passive fire protection should be a licensed trade and was talking to a couple of the polytechnics and training organisations about training for that.”

“Our mentality is basically we try and be that educator,” said McEntyre.

At the helm of a rapidly-expanding company, McEntyre’s efforts have not been in vain. Contego is on its way to $3 million in turnover this year, and was recently named a finalist in the emerging business category of the Westpac Otago Business Awards.