A Pine Hill kindergarten community needs to raise more than $5000 for a fire alarm system before it can install a fireplace this winter.
Aurora Tamariki Early Year Care and Kindergarten requires a type-2 fire alarm system before it can gain DCC consent to install a fireplace.
A type-2 fire alarm system has manual call points which are connected to the Fire Service and would cost the kindergarten about $5500.
Kindergarten director Adrienne Easton renovated the building before it opened in September and said she wanted to install a fireplace so she could teach the children about the process of getting firewood and making a fire.
"It's all just part of home life.''
The kindergarten did "home things'' throughout the day, such as gardening and cooking, so having a fireplace would fit in with the style of care, she said.
The community was supportive in her quest for a fireplace and she had received some "lovely'' messages from parents.
"The families are really rallying together and they really want a fire.''
She hoped the fireplace would be installed before winter, replacing a heat pump.
Dunedin City Council principal adviser building solutions Neil McLeod said because building consent was required to install a fireplace, the kindergarten needed to upgrade its fire alarm system.
"When you apply for a building consent, in this case to install a solid-fuel burner, you trigger the need to upgrade the building to a more modern standard.
"That more modern standard would require the installation of a smoke detection system.''
A fireplace could be a hazard if mismanaged or not installed correctly.
Daniela Erdmann, whose 4-year-old son goes to the kindergarten, started a Givealittle page to help raise money for the system. As it was a not-for-profit organisation, it did not have the means to pay for the system, she said.
To give to the Aurora Tamariki Early Year Care and Kindergarten, visit the Givealittle page at: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/warmth4children.
JESSICA.WILSON @thestar.co.nz
