Our Story
Flame Stoppers was founded in 2017 by a team of construction and project management specialists who recognised a persistent issue in the industry: Passive Fire Protection was often treated as a box-ticking exercise, addressed too late and without the coordination it needed. This created budget blowouts and compliance risks that put pressure on main contractors and project timelines.
We set out to change that.
From day one, Flame Stoppers was built on a simple idea: Passive Fire Protection should add certainty to a project, not complexity. By combining specialist knowledge with real construction experience, we developed a more proactive, integrated way of delivering Passive Fire Protection that supports smoother build programmes.
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This approach has helped us successfully deliver some of New Zealand’s most demanding commercial and Tier 1 projects, and it remains the foundation of how we operate today.
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As we grow our presence in Australia, our focus is the same: bringing a higher standard of planning, delivery, and accountability to every stage of Passive Fire Protection. We’re proud to support contractors with a model built on collaboration, practicality, and doing the job right the first time.
What we stand for
We’re experts
Passive Fire Protection is our core expertise - and it’s backed by real construction experience. We understand the pressures of programmes, the importance of sequencing, and what it takes to deliver compliant, buildable solutions on complex projects.
We’re progressive
We believe there’s a better way to deliver Passive Fire Protection. That’s why we challenge the traditional approach and look for smarter, more proactive ways to support contractors, reduce risk, and improve outcomes across every stage of the build.
We’re ambitious
We’re driven to set a higher standard for Passive Fire Protection, in New Zealand and Australia.
We care
We’re here to make a positive impact. We care about the people we work with, the quality of the work we leave behind, and the communities we contribute to. Giving back and doing the right thing sit at the heart of who we are.
Our leadership
Our management team brings decades of hands-on experience across commercial construction, project management, building services, and specialist Passive Fire Protection delivery.
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Our approach emphasises clarity, consistency, and strong relationships. We work directly with project teams, provide practical guidance, and stay close to the details that matter. Whether it’s programming, QA, compliance, or complex service integration, our team brings the stability and professionalism contractors expect from a trusted partner.
Our team
Wayne Barlow
Managing Director
Wayne@flamestoppers.com.au
Wayne has a wealth of industry experience, having come from senior Tier 1 Main contractor roles, including several years at Fletchers. He has successfully delivered many large-scale projects such as data centres, hospitals and office complexes. Wayne understands the importance of seamless project coordination and the effective management of sub-trades - and the significance of these processes to ensuring time, cost, quality and compliance objectives are achieved.
Edward Kanon
Commercial Manager
Edward@flamestoppers.com.au
With over 37 years’ experience in the construction sector Edward has broad-based quantity surveying, project management and development experience. He’s worked on significant commercial, hospitality and residential developments - managing all project stages through to completion. Edward brings a wealth of knowledge around cost management, estimating, as well as contract administration services.
Arnold Kanon
Construction Manager
Arnold@flamestoppers.com.au
Arnold knows construction. With over 36 years' experience, he has seen the construction of airports, shopping centers, large commercial complexes, as well as boutique hotels and apartment buildings. Arnold has a great understanding of sites, delivery of projects as well as materials.
Tony Earley
Key Account Manager
Tony@flamestoppers.com.au
Tony is a relationship-focused professional who thrives on connecting people and building trust across every level of a project. With a background in key account management and business development, he’s played a leading role in Flame Stoppers’ growth and now drives the company’s expansion into Australia.
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Known for his approachable style and on-site presence, Tony works closely with clients, project teams, and subcontractors to ensure open communication and a collaborative working culture. His passion lies in creating strong partnerships that deliver great outcomes and reflect Flame Stoppers’ “Positively Passive” ethos.