Project Overview

The City Rail Link (CRL) is the largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand, transforming Auckland’s rail network into a modern rapid transit system. This landmark development creates New Zealand’s first fully underground railway line, increasing network capacity by 50% and connecting key city precincts through a world-class transport system designed to serve Auckland’s growing population for generations to come.

The Challenge

Major underground rail infrastructure projects present unique fire protection challenges. Service risers, ducts, ceiling spaces, and bulkheads must maintain fire compartmentation throughout the network while allowing efficient installation within constrained construction environments.

The CRL project required solutions that could:

• Provide reliable fire and acoustic performance across critical building services infrastructure.
• Support complex construction sequencing within a large-scale infrastructure project.
• Minimise installation time in difficult-to-access locations.
• Reduce disruption to other trades working simultaneously on site.
• Deliver consistent fire continuity throughout service-rich environments.

KOROK® Solution

KOROK® supplied 760m² of its 78mm KOROK Galv Panels for use across risers, ducts, ceilings, and bulkheads throughout the project. Installed by Livefirm Construction, the KOROK® systems provided a lightweight, high-performance fire-rated solution tailored to the demanding conditions of underground rail infrastructure construction.

Project Benefits

By implementing KOROK® systems throughout selected riser, duct, ceiling, and bulkhead applications, the project benefited from:

• Fast installation using lightweight prefabricated panels.
• Single-side construction for risers and ducts, eliminating the need for internal scaffold access.
• Reliable fire compartmentation for critical infrastructure environments.
• High acoustic performance within service areas.
• Reduced site complexity and improved coordination with other trades.
• Efficient construction sequencing in restricted-access underground spaces.
• Proven performance on one of New Zealand’s most complex infrastructure projects.

Supporting a Landmark Infrastructure Project

The City Rail Link represents a transformational investment in Auckland’s future, delivering enhanced connectivity, reduced travel times, and increased public transport capacity for generations to come. KOROK® was proud to contribute to this nationally significant project, providing fire-rated solutions that supported efficient construction while helping maintain the high safety and performance standards required for critical transport infrastructure.

Related Projects

A Smarter Approach to Fire-Rated Ceilings & Bulkheads

KOROK® Ceiling & Bulkhead Systems provide a smarter, more efficient approach to fire-rated ceiling construction for commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Utilising KOROK® 78mm panels, these systems are designed to simplify fire continuity while enabling fast underside installation with Fire Resistance Ratings of up to -/120/120.

Developed to address the practical challenges faced on modern construction sites, KOROK® systems are ideal for service-heavy environments, restricted-access ceiling spaces, and complex construction sequencing. The lightweight panel design helps reduce installation complexity, minimise disruption to other trades, and improve overall site efficiency.

Traditional Fire-Rated Ceiling Construction Can Be Complex

Conventional fire-rated ceiling and bulkhead systems can create unnecessary challenges around ceiling plenums, service coordination, access limitations, and installation sequencing. In many cases, traditional systems require additional linings to be installed from above, increasing labour, programme time, and coordination requirements. KOROK® Ceiling & Bulkhead Systems simplify this process.

Designed specifically for installation from the underside, KOROK® systems reduce reliance on roof-space access while supporting efficient programme sequencing for new builds, retrofit projects, and staged construction works.

The symmetrical profile of the KOROK® 78mm panel allows seamless integration with KOROK® fire-rated wall systems, concrete/masonry, and structural steel elements. By utilising compatible KOROK® wall and ceiling systems together, fire continuity can be maintained without overcomplicating details or requiring excessive additional ceiling linings.

All KOROK® panel tasting has been carried out at nationally accredited laboratories to AS1530: Part 4, providing designers, engineers, and contractors with confidence in system performance and compliance. Keep it simple with lightweight, code-compliant KOROK® systems designed to work together to meet demanding fire and acoustic performance requirements.