Fire Protection Design in Flood Recovery. Supporting Pan Pac After Cyclone Gabrielle

Some projects matter for reasons beyond design and delivery.

Following the severe flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, large parts of Pan Pac’s operations were significantly impacted. Restoring the site to full operational capacity required swift, coordinated technical input across multiple disciplines.

Fire protection design formed part of that recovery effort.

Supporting recovery under pressure

During the flood recovery works, technical expertise and project support were required at pace. The priority was to enable safe reoccupation and continued operation while longer-term rebuilding works progressed.

Through this period, close collaboration with Pan Pac and key stakeholders allowed fire protection systems to be reviewed, designed, and delivered across a number of buildings within the precinct.

In post-disaster environments, clarity and decisiveness matter. Design decisions must support immediate needs without compromising long-term resilience.

Rebuilding with intent

As recovery works transitioned into rebuild projects, fire protection design became a key part of the new Central Support Hub development at Whirinaki.

The new facility replaces buildings that were badly damaged during the cyclone. Its construction marks a shift from recovery to renewal, with a focus on durability, performance, and future-proofed operations.

Fire protection systems were designed to align with the broader project goals and the site’s operational demands.

Coordination across complex projects

Post-disaster projects often involve compressed programmes, evolving scopes, and heightened risk. Fire protection design must integrate seamlessly with architectural, structural, and construction workflows.

Strong relationships developed during the early recovery phase supported efficient coordination as projects progressed from assessment to construction.

This continuity reduces rework and supports smoother delivery during challenging conditions.

Building resilience beyond compliance

Fire protection design in recovery and rebuild projects is not only about meeting minimum requirements. It is about supporting operational continuity and long-term resilience.

Events like Cyclone Gabrielle highlight the importance of systems that perform reliably under pressure and can adapt to changing site conditions.

Proud to contribute

Supporting Pan Pac and the wider Napier community through recovery and rebuilding was meaningful work.

Projects like this reinforce the role fire protection design plays beyond compliance. When done well, it supports safety, continuity, and confidence at times when it matters most.

Fortis Fire provides specialist fire protection design for complex recovery and rebuild projects.
Talk to us about supporting resilient outcomes for your site.