MINUTES
NORTHLAND BRANCH
TRAINING AND NETWORKING EVENT
held on
FRIDAY 23rd MARCH 2018
at
CENTRAL LIBRARY, May Bain Room,
RUST AVENUE, WHANGAREI
Attendance:
Kaipara District Council: Jamie Nikora, Matthew Williams, Gavin Spaabaek, Kerry Hewson, Markus Magueflor, John Dowden
Far North District Council: Peter Martin, Carmel Taylor, Greg Machin, Christopher West, Nicola Clark
Whangarei district Council: Stuart Ferris, David Hughes, Shane Hakaraia, Ross Ford, Todd Moreton
Far North Holdings Limited: Mark Henwood
Guests:
• Kevin Cowie, Senior Structural Engineer (Technical Development) Steel Construction New Zealand Inc.
• David Taylor, Director - Engineering Technician
• Vinnie Marotta, Director – Engineer at TMC Consulting Engineers
• Rachel Wright BE(Civil), CPEng, CMEngNZ, IntPE(NZ) RS Eng Ltd
Apologies: The rest of the Northland Branch.
Guest Presentations:
Presentation 1:
Topic: "Lifting the Bar - Improving the Supply of Structural Steelwork"
Kevin Cowie, Senior Structural Engineer (Technical Development) Steel Construction New Zealand Inc.
Kevin`s presentation was very informative and provided confidence in how compliance can be achieved when assessing imported steel products and fabrications. Importation is becoming a normal cost-effective solution to designers and owners. Steele Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) and HERA work closely with local importers and with third party certification development of a scheme for fabricators to introduce a mark of quality for the local structural steel sector.
Building Consent Authorities scrutiny when assessing applications is always being tested and assurance from fabricators, possibly in the form of a PS3 to PS1 design and have their details listed on BC as a contractor.
The presentation covered steel products and structural steelwork conformity, the new AS/NZS 5131 Fabrication and Erection standard and the Steel Fabrication Certification Scheme. The AS/NZS 5131 introduces the fundamental concept of ‘construction category’. This is linked to the importance level of structure and this can provide a minimum level of workmanship including welding.
SCNZ, along with HERA, is at the forefront of the development of the Steel Fabrication Certification (SFC) Scheme which has introduced a mark of quality for the local structural steel sector. SFC is an industry-led quality assurance scheme that provides procurers and specifiers with certainty of product and reduced compliance risk.
About SCNZ: Steel Construction New Zealand Incorporated (SCNZ). Promotes the benefits of steel solutions in building and infrastructure projects; and play a pivotal role in supporting the industry, as it strives to grow through innovation, investment in technology and market development.
Presentation 2:
Topic: Technical Presentation on Establishing Good Ground in relation to Construction.
David Taylor, Director - Engineering Technician and Vinnie Marotta, Director – Engineer at TMC Consulting Engineers.
David`s very informative presentation alerting the attendees to the pitfalls at the coal face and the risk with determining good ground in the Far North was well received with plenty of response and is something Councils and officers should keep in mind and should always be on a case by case assessment specific to the site. Discussion over the actual number of failures on the expansive ground in the Far North seemed to indicate that there isn`t very many (actual numbers are not available) and that BC application where designers submit an acceptable solution for foundations appear to be supported by Building processing and Inspections, Bear in mind it is not a given, actual foundation inspection always has the last say, if there is doubt, the norm is to call for Verification E.G. geotechnical assessment and engineered structural design to mitigate and appropriate CM, If required.
Presentation 3:
Topic: PS1 and B2 process and the changeover from IPENZ, and new structure Eng NZ,
Rachel Wright BE(Civil), Chartered Professional Engineer, CMEngNZ, IntPE(NZ), RS Eng Ltd.
Rachel`s presentation and discussion was on two themes the PS1 and B2 issue and the changeover from IPENZ, and new structure Eng NZ.
Specifically, B2, was reassuring as she had extensive knowledge on this from her prior role on the ACENZ board. So, it seems that expecting or requesting B2 on a PS1, PS2, PS4 may not happen with some designs and instead a supporting letter to satisfy the level of CM required is attached to PS4. This depends on the specifics of the design and as to what element of B2 it relates to. There was plenty of discussion around this and as Rachel advised, the change is coming from the insurance companies that insure the engineers, and there is not a lot they can do about it or Councils, as they need to have that insurance to operate. We are already seeing these letters for foundations and Structural steel portals etc. So, the acceptance is in the FINE print of the PS1, PS2 and PS4 letters and they need to be descriptive and site specific.
Previous Minutes
Were confirmed as correct Moved: Jamie Nikora, Seconded: Peter Martin
Matters Arising
Asbestos Reporting
Stewart Ferris from Whangarei District Council wanted to understand how other councils were addressing Asbestos reports for Building Consent application for alterations on older properties.
A request was made to members to ask their managers and hopefully we can follow up with a response at the next meeting.
Hazardous Building Materials
F2 Hazardous Building materials Ref section F2/AS1 section 2 that may affect buildings prior 1990.
F5 Construction and demolition hazards First Schedule Functional requirement F5.2(c ) These may include but not limited to older claddings, Roofing soffits, wet area linings, Ceilings, insulation methods for walls , pipe work and Pipes , ducting’s, and electrical.
WorkSafe New Zealand has a vital role with this also, do they need any notification?
Correspondence
The BOINZ Training notifications, AGM information, Straight Up magazine are all available on members emails. Members would have received these emails through BOINZ as well as the wide range of information in the Monthly Update.
General Business:
• A request for speakers on G4 ventilation was discussed. This is to be Investigated
• A New In-employment pathway for the New NZ Diploma in Building Surveying, level 6, offered via Otago Polytech in partnership with BOINZ, Future Skills and Skills was discussed. Well done BOINZ for getting this in place. The new qualification supersedes the two former Diplomas.
• BOINZ conference attendance, 1st timers, and award nominations were discussed.
• A discussion was had regarding staff movements with in BOINZ and the BOINZ HR recruitment. Package to address skill shortages
• It was noted that non-members are allowed to attend a maximum of 3 Branch Training and Networking sessions on Invitation from the Chair and Secretary before BOINZ membership is required.
• The new system for managing Earth Quake Prone Buildings, please see the video on BOINZ website.
The Next Branch Meeting will take place at Far District North Council on the 8th June 2018, May Bain Room, Whangarei Central Library from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm Friday 8th June 2018
Following the presentations all presenters were thanked for their Informative and Interesting Presentations.
The meeting was closed by Northland Branch Chairperson, Jamie Nikora.
Peter Martin
Northland Branch Secretary
Peter.Martin@fndc.govt.nz
