Designing Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand (DSNZ) standards set out requirements you must follow when designing or planning to do work in a school.

It is an easily readable lead document in a suite of documents. The additional documents (SGR and DQLS requirements) are more technical, but also applicable and useful to know about.

The standards aim for school property that is:

• consistent
• durable and easy to maintain
• resilient
• of enduring benefit to all learners and their communities
• meeting our policies.

When the design requirements apply#

The standards are mandatory for new build projects. You should meet them where possible (practicable) when completing maintenance and refurbishments. This applies regardless of who owns the property or funds a project.

Download the DSNZ#

DSNZ is the principal document in our suite of design standard and guideline documents. It sets out the requirements in an easy-to-understand form for all audiences.

The following amendments apply to the DSNZ.

Fire and safety design requirements for schools#

Requirements for managing fire risk at schools are set out in our Fire and Safety Design Requirements for Schools document – 'the fire policy'. This tells you how to protect your school from fires.

The fire policy covers:

• building design
• fire alarm systems
• use of sprinklers
• minimum separation distances between Ministry buildings
• maximum allowable firecell size.

In some areas, we have requirements that are above the Building Code. Make sure the consultants your school use on a project, such as your project manager, architect and engineer, have a copy of our fire policy which sets out our requirements in full, as some information is technical.

Download the Ministry fire policy (dated 2008), which includes addendums from July 2017 and June 2018 at the beginning of the document.

Download school design products guidance#

The school design products guidance document has information about products to use for school design.

Installing bilingual signs in schools#

Installing signs in both English and Māori promotes learning opportunities and encourages people to use te reo Māori. Use our list to choose the signs you think promote learning opportunities at your school.

This guidance is on pages 4 to 6.

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated timber in schools #

Timber treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) is a potential health risk because it contains arsenic. Your board needs to manage this risk, especially in the playground.

This guidance is on page 7.

Energy efficiency design at schools#

Your school board needs to consider energy efficiency needs for new buildings and existing buildings and systems at school.

This guidance is on page 8.

Floor coverings for schools#

We do not have requirements about what kind of floor coverings schools can buy. Your board can decide which floor coverings will work best in the different areas of your school.

This guidance is on page 9.

Glass installed in schools#

Glass can be a hazard at schools if it breaks. Your board needs to manage this hazard. You also need to know what kind of glass to install and what glazing standards you need to comply with.

This guidance is on pages 10 and 11.

Joinery and hardware installed in schools#

The school environment can be tough on joinery and hardware such as door handles, window hinges and door stops. When joinery or hardware breaks it can be a hazard, which your board needs to manage. You should buy commercial grade joinery and hardware and keep it well maintained.

This guidance is on pages 12 to 15.

Roofing materials for school buildings#

When your school is getting a new building, replacing a roof, or reviewing the safety of existing roofs, your board needs to choose the most suitable type of roofing material. Roofing must also be correctly installed.

This guidance is on pages 13 to 16.