News

RECENT PUBLICATION RELEASE:

This booklet is for people who carry out or supervise brick and block work on residential buildings – it will tell you about Restricted Building Work (RBW) and how it will affect you and your business.

Brick and Blocklayers Restricted Building Work (RBW) guidance booklet

 

GREEN ZONE CHANGES: WHAT THEY MEAN FOR YOU.

http://cera.govt.nz/video/green-zone-changes-what-they-mean-for-you

As part of the ongoing information sharing process, CERA has produced a half-hour discussion panel to cover some of the key issues around the Green Zone changes, particularly the new Technical Categories.

The discussion is facilitated by CERA chief executive Roger Sutton and involves Reid Stiven from EQC, Malcolm McMillan from the Department of Building and Housing, Mike Jacka from Tonkin and Taylor, and Dean MacGregor from IAG Insurance.

This production was put together by CERA and CTV, and was originally broadcast on Maori Television on Saturday 19 November, and CTV on Sunday 20 November, this production was made with technical assistance from TV3.

More information on green zone technical categories.

 

CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKES ROYAL COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT - October 2011

Please be advised that this report has now been released and is available on the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Website.
You can access this by clicking on the following link - http://canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz/Interim-Report

 

STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND 3604 - MEDIA RELEASE

The Following Media Release and Advisory Note are copied for your information.  Copies of Standards New Zealand publications are available through the Institute.

Standards New Zealand Media Release

Timber-framed buildings – New Handbook published and Advisory Note issued

  •   SNZ HB 3604 Handbook to NZS 3604:2011 – available now

Standards New Zealand recently published SNZ HB 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings: Selected extracts from NZS 3604:2011. SNZ HB 3604 provides users with a collection of figures and tables extracted from NZS 3604:2011 that are commonly used on-site. The Handbook directs users to the appropriate section of the Standard for full information.

During the development of the Standard, NZS 3604:2011, the need for a durable product containing selected extracts from the Standard to use as a reference guide on-site was identified. Standards New Zealand undertook four consultation meetings with different user groups on the range of content they required and tested formats for the Handbook in mid-2010.

The SNZ HB 3604 committee began work on the Handbook once the NZS 3604 Standard content had been finalised. The committee included nominated representatives from Architectural Designers New Zealand Inc., Building Officials’ Institute of New Zealand, Certified Builders’ Association of New Zealand Inc., New Zealand Institute of Architects, and Registered Master Builders’ Federation. The feedback from the consultation meetings was used by the committee.

The Handbook has been designed as an on-site reference guide for timber-framed buildings not requiring specific engineering design, up to a maximum of three storeys in height. It is laid out in four sections based on the construction sequence for a timber-framed building. To ensure that the Handbook aligns with NZS 3604, the collection of figures and tables are numbered identically and colour coding of the figures and tables replicates that of the Standard.

The development committee advises the Handbook must not be used as a substitute for the full Standard, NZS 3604:2011. Users of SNZ HB 3604 should always refer to the full Standard when they require detailed and complete information. On-site building consent requirements of the Building Consent Authority (BCA) take precedence over the guidance in SNZ HB 3604.

With a polypropylene cover, the sturdy binder and laminated pages are designed to provide as much durability for on-site use as possible. SNZ HB 3604 is slightly larger than A5 in size and weighs approximately 1.2kg.

  • Order SNZ HB 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings or email enquiries@standards.co.nz, or call 0800 782 632 during business hours.
  • Members of Standards New Zealand save 20% on the retail price. Visit our membership page for more information on becoming a member.
  •   Advisory Note issued for NZS 3604:2011 and SNZ HB 3604:2011

Standards New Zealand has recently issued an Advisory Note to help ensure users of the Standard, NZS 3604:2011 and the Handbook, SNZ HB 3604:2011 are aware of recent information issued by the Department of Building and Housing relating to the Department's changes to the B1 Structure and E2 External Moisture Building Code documents.

These changes include modifications to NZS 3604:2011.

All past purchasers of NZS 3604:2011 hard copies will receive a copy of the Advisory Note to add to their copy of the Standard. Past purchasers of PDFs will receive an email with a link to the Advisory Note to download. From 3 October 2011, copies of NZS 3604:2011 and SNZ HB 3604:2011 include a copy of the Advisory Note.

Related articles

Update from Debbie Chin – revised NZS 3604 published, Touchstone, February 2011

 

 

GUIDANCE ON BUILDING CODE COMPLIANCE FOR RETROFITTING INSULATION IN EXTERNAL WALLS

The Department has published a useful guide on Building Code requirements for retrofitting insulation in external walls. This Guidance document is now available on the Department's website.

Retrofitting wall insulation requires a building consent, unless a council specifically exempts it. The Guidance will help building consent authorities (BCAs) decide whether wall insulation projects should be exempt from a building consent or to approve or decline applications for retrofitting wall insulation.

The Guidance includes information on the following:

  • Why a building consent is required for retrofitting insulation in exterior walls
  • Complying with the Building Act and Building Code
  • Risks with retrofitting wall insulation
  • Appendices explaining:
    • Building Code performance criteria relating to retrofitting insulation
    • How retrofitted insulation can affect the way a house performs

Each retrofit will be different so BCAs need to look at the specific characteristics of the project when deciding whether the building is suitable for retrofitted wall insulation. Different types of house construction, insulation, and the climate will affect a BCA's decision and advice. The Guidance highlights important considerations when deciding if retrofitting is suitable for a particular property.

BCAs may wish to recommend the Guidance to designers and installers who want to check the relevant Building Code requirements
for retrofitting insulation. It is not a guide to retrofitting insulation; New Zealand Standard (NZS) 4246 covers the practical aspects of
insulation and can be downloaded free of charge from the EECA website.

DIRECTOR CHANGES AT BOINZ - 18/08/11

Last week prior to our Wednesday 10th August 2011 Board Meeting in Wellington, Bill Irvine tendered his resignation as an Institute Director, which the Board has accepted.

Bill had been a Director of the Institute for 15 months and I wish him well for the future.

As a result of this resignation the Board had to reconsider the appropriateness of finalising the two year term with 5 Board members or look to co-opt a Board member with skills to further assist the Board. We chose the latter based on our work programme and need to continue our focus on rebuilding and repositioning the Institute.

After careful deliberation, the Board invited Peter Laurenson, to consider a co-opted position on the Institutes Board. On behalf of the Board I am pleased to advise Peter has accepted the Board position.

Peter has a Bachelors Degree in Commerce, is currently the Lakes Environmental Ltd Building Manager in Queenstown, has a background in the building industry working for building supplies company Carters (formerly John Edmond Ltd) in varying roles up to Branch Management and National Office positions. He has filled the role of Chairman of the Southern Building Controls Group (made up of all 11 Councils from Invercargill to Timaru), spent 8 years on the Board of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce including 3 as President and has recently been appointed to the IANZ BCA Professional Advisory Committee.

I welcome Peter to the Institute’s Board.


Yours sincerely


Phil Saunders
President


GUIDANCE ON USING NZS 3604 CONSTRUCTION ON GROUND WITH POTENTIAL FOR LIQUEFACTION

What sort of publication is it: Guidance information

Who it's for: Building consent authorities, designers, engineers, builders, homeowners and others interested in the quality of buildings.

What it contains: Guidance information for those building to NZS 3604:2011 construction where there may be potential for liquefiable soils, and who may choose to use foundation details even more robust than those provided by the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1.

TO DOWNLOAD A COPY, CLICK HERE

 

IMMEDIATE AMENDMENT TO B1 STRUCTURE - COMPLIANCE DOCUMENT

Immediate changes to the Building Code’s supporting documents for Structure took effect 19 th May 2011. The changes increase the seismic hazard factor for Christchurch and require stronger foundations for buildings in that area.

The 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes have increased the seismic risk for Christchurch over the next few decades. Based on new knowledge about this risk, seismologists and structural engineers who reported to the Department, agree that the seismic hazard factor for Christchurch should be raised from 0.22 to 0.3.

To view B1 Structure - Compliance Document, please click here

 

GUIDELINES FOR REPAIRING GIB® PLASTERBOARD LININGS IN WIND OR EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED PROPERTIES

Click here to view Technical Bulletin Issue Date: September 2010



2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Constitution

As approved at the 2010 AGM, held on Monday 12 April at 4.00 pm at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Queens Drive, Rotorua. The above constitution has now been ratified and should be considered as the current version.

 2010 AGM Minutes


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