Welcome:

Branch Secretary Hasan Shueb opened the meeting welcoming members, new members and guests as well as extending a special welcome to the event's speakers and BOINZ Directors - Peter Laurenson and Jeff Fahrensohn.

Attendance:

Auckland Council: Nicole Tarlton, Robert Taylor, Maha Tobia, Phil Tozer, Graeme Turner, Jennifer Walling, Bradley Byrne, Charles Chen, Lesley Chen, Tineke de Villiers, Zaida Dimaun, Jeffrey Fahrensohn, Richard Fromont, Peter Laurenson, Daniel Harrison, Christina Hibbard, Richard Kaggwa, Alex Khoo, Jimmy Li, Joseph Matehaere, Clive Megson, Tymara Oberdries, Alan Perich, Ishwara Saraswati, Deepak Shah, Russell Shaw, David Shepherd, Ryan Stowers
Dominion Constructors: Hasan Shueb
Future Skill Academy: Carl Graham
Inspect and Report: Stuart Nicholson
Kāinga Ora- Homes and Communities: Fionna Timoteo
Maynard Marks: Malcolm Arnold
Professional Building Consultants Ltd: Nicholas Wright
Quality House Inspection Ltd: Frank Xing

Guests:

Auckland Council: Malcolm Greenwood, Barry Backhouse-Smith, Josh Moore, Jarrod Makaeen, Matt Tukito, Sandy Shi

Apologies:

Auckland Council: Matthew Greenhough, Steve Noakes, Boris Veza, Ian McCormick

Moved: Nicole Tarlton Seconded: Rob Taylor


Board Representative Update - Director Jeff Fahrensohn

• Jeff introduced himself as a new Board member for 2020, he will be working alongside Peter Laurenson (President), Wayne Goodfellow (Vice President), Cory Lang, Karel Boakes, and Phil Saunders who all attended the most recent BOINZ Board meeting in September.
• Jeff also reinforced that he and Peter will be available for each meeting to give a brief update from the Board and welcome any questions or feedback from the branch.
• The Board has extended Wayne Goodfellow's co-option status for another year. Wayne continues to serve BOINZ as the Vice President and will retain he Wellington Branch Chairperson position.
• The Board reviewed their earlier Official Information Act (OIA) request for Schedule 1 Exemptions. The Board was concerned about the lack of consultation, potential for misuse, and the flow-on effects from the increased scope of Schedule 1
• The Board overviewed the Institute's presentation to the Environmental Select Committee on the Modern Methods of Construction (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. Peter and BOINZ Chief Executive Nick Hill represented BOINZ at this presentation.
• The Bill is supported by the Institute but there are some concerns the Bill still do not adequately deliver on product assurance and other critical areas such as structure, cladding, fire, and health.
• The Board also advocates for independent 3^rd party verification. There is liability exposure to modular construction. No changes to the act leave liabilities with the BCA, BOINZ requested ring fencing of BCA liability.
• To review the select committee hearing, please follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/1456807787955425/videos/636397520325410
• BOINZ has also made a submission on the Building for Climate Change proposal. This is available to read on the BOINZ website. Please log in to the MYBOINZ section and navigate to the Submissions tab.
• The LBP submission will be completed shortly and will be made available in the MYBOINZ section as well.
• The Board discussed the value of the Construction Sector Accord and reinforced BOINZ continued support for the high-level Government/industry initiative, especially with the COVID-19 challenges being faced such as reduced migrant workforce and the housing sectoring keeping the economy going.
• The Construction Sector Accord covers 4 main workstreams: industry leadership and collaboration, improved building regulatory systems/consenting processes, growing workforce capabilities, and more durable/better houses.
• In terms of the Institute's traditional activity areas, 2020 has had a significant impact on the Institute. Loss of events and reduction on BCA training budgets has had an impact on funding.
• The BOINZ AGM was held Thursday 15^th October with 93 financial members registering and 63 attendees. Information regarding the BOINZ AGM is available via MYBOINZ including the 2019 accounts, the Presidents report, and a summary of the AGM.
• The 2 BOINZ qualifications NZ Certificate in Building Regulatory Environment and NZ Diploma in Building Surveying are up for their five-year review.
• 4 of the 9 BOINZ Branches have held virtual meetings. BRANZ will soon be partnering with several branches to introduce Artisan
• Straight Up is available now via MYBOINZ. The magazine is welcoming contributions from members. Please contact events@boinz.org.nz for more information.
• MBIE has appointed John Sneyd as the new General Manager of the Building Systems Performance branch and BOINZ has already noticed an improvement in consultation.
• BOINZ members are currently engaged in review committee's for the following standards:
• 4510 - Fire Hydrant Systems for Buildings
• 3604 -Timber Framed Buildings
• 4512 - Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings
• 4211 - Specification for Performance of Windows
• 4514 - Interconnected Smoke Alarms.
• Regarding training- BOINZ has begun to see registrations coming through for October and November and experienced a big turn out for the Report Writing webinar in October. November courses confirmed:
• E2 Weathertightness
• Piped Services and Waste
• Advance Fire
• Building Controls.
• Jeff advised BOINZTV is launching Thursday 19^th November. This is an excellent platform for putting information directly to members nationally.

Guest Presentation: Peter Laurenson - Manager Project Assessment Central/South, Auckland Council.

Peter began by thanking the committee for their hard work and acknowledged the tough times all have experience during COVID-19 and working remotely.

See Peter's PowerPoint presentation here:

· Exemption which apply to owners

• Exemptions which can be done with a qualified plumber or drain layer
• Exemptions which can be done with a chartered engineer

All work must be done in compliance with the Building Code. It is the responsibility of the owner to comply with other Acts.

There are multiple options for single storey detached dwellings under 30m2. Buildings under 10m have always been exempt. The new part exempts buildings under 30m2 which are also their own height away from the boundary. The media did not clearly communicate that this also does not include plumbing and buildings between 10-30m will need to be approved by a CPENG engineer. If it is not light weight it will ned an LBP to design and construct too.

BOINZ Feedback on the 10-30m2 detached kitset design exempt when engineer designed:

Q: Does it cover the draining of these buildings?
A: No, Peter reinforced the MBIE guide states for S/w you should seek approval from the Council. More guidance is needed on this. It is not clear if approval by way of Building Consent is required. Peter confirmed the Auckland Council submission recommended risk-based consenting which came into the Act in 2012 would be better placed to manage this. This would allow Council to look at a smaller range of Code Clauses. Other feedback is how this will apply to property owners. When properties are being sold, the agent or lawyer asks for it to be on the Council file. COA is then applied for. It is not clear how this need will be managed for 30m2.

Q: How will this affect people fitting out garages as minor units?
A: Not sure. Garage has been assessed as SH as it has a part of the dwelling. Schedule 1 changes are not believed to effect the conversion of garages. They are not seen as a change of use, so you don't have the ability to enforce membranes under floor when there are changes.

Q: With the new 30m2 requirements, are there any restriction on ground requirements?
A: No, must comply with the Building Code and there are some restrictions on max height. 3.6 max height requirements. Refer to the guide for specific details.

Peter reinforced with the complexities of the current exemptions it is best to read the guidance. Exemptions don't include all buildings close to other, must be their own heigh away from the boundary and other buildings.
Carports below 20m owners can DIY. 20-40m2 LBP is required.

Q: Where is the requirement to get the LBP details?
A: Owners should keep their own records and they can lodge this on the Council file.

• Ground floor veranda and porch exempt up to 30m2
• Single storey pole sheds and hay barns. These must be in rural zones and must be done by an LBP. They must stay within size limit outlines
• Permanent outdoor fireplaces are covered in this exemption. They must be located at least 1m away from the boundary, limited to a cooking area of 1m or less. Peter reinforced this is a good cost saving result for owners.
• Ground mounted solar array panels.
  Peter acknowledged there is probably limited value from Council reviews of solar panels.
• Flexible water storage bladder up to 200,000 litres and small pip supporting structures.

The expectation is that the owner makes the decision as to whether a consent is required. Owners are encouraged to speak to an LBP however Peter has reported to MBIE that this does put added cost back on the LBP. AC helpdesk often receives trick schedule 1 enquires, they now refer the customer on to MBIE.

Tiny Homes

In February, Auckland Council made a Submission to the Code Advisory Panel regarding numerous cases of tiny homes in the media. Hurunui District Council the tiny home was not a vehicle and ordered a tiny home to be demolished or comply. MBIE determination then in court the decision was overturned. Hutt city similar example illustrating the confusion.

Exemptions are exacerbating the confusion.

In the February submission the Code Advisory Panel suggested an acceptable solution for tiny homes. The panel considered what code clauses are important for tiny homes or structures used for residence: B1 structure is important, E2 is weathertightness important. H1 thermal should it be the same requirement for a tiny house or a temporary structure. Are there some code clauses which should be important for tiny homes? Is it their residence or is it short term accommodation?

Another solution could be using a NZ standard. MBIE has more control over Acceptable solutions a NZ standard could still be useful.

A specific consent example was discussed. This application was to install plumbing in a tiny whicvh had been building under schedule 1. The building consent application was for the plumbing only. There were some requirements of the exemption which were not met like it wasn't its own high away from the boundary and other buildings. Discussions are ongoing with the owner about how to manage the application.

An example from a tiny home builders' website was discussed. They specialise in custom designed shipping containers as tiny homes. There are claims these are built to exceed Building Code requirements. Peter highlighted ways owners are deceived and that this is a growing risk for the Auckland community.

Peter called for feedback from BOINZ members around these topics.

Peter returned to the topic of the BOINZ OIA request made regarding Schedule 1. The main justification provided from MBIE was a spreadsheet compiled by a group of Councils which make up 11% of the consenting value of NZ outlining the cost savings they believed would be achieved. On the contrary Auckland Council, which accounts for 40% of the consenting volume, did not think it would make a noticeable difference. BOINZ unlikely to achieve cost saving and concerns the cost of rectifying breaches and COA.

Peter showed an example of a flow chart from MBIE tiny house determination used to establish if it is a vehicle or a tiny house. Combined the feedback is that this guidance is not very clear and is too technical to be used by homeowners.

Q: His church was host to the NZ Tiny House Conference, there were many people and a lot of passion
A: Peter would have loved to go there as a Council representation. Peter confirmed he had been talking to previous members about how designers can deal with tiny homes. Peter recommended a Building Consent for tiny homes. MBIE multiproof pathway has also been discussed.

Q: Can you clarify the difference between minor dwellings and tiny homes?
A: Peter referred to the previously discussed example. Exemption not only covers buildings without potable water. Sleepouts must have another dwelling which has access to a kitchen and toilet facilities.

Peter thanked the committee for the opportunity to present and welcomed more presentation of a technical nature.

Branch Secretary Hasan Shueb then thanked all members for attending and gave special thanks to Jeff Fahrensohn and Peter Laurenson for presenting. He then closed the meeting at 6.00pm

Next Branch Training and Networking Event:

Auckland Branch Secretary
Hasan Shueb
hasan.shueb@constructors.co.nz