Draft timber-framed buildings Standard NZS 3604 – public comment reminder

This is a reminder that Standards New Zealand has released DZ 3604 for public comment. DZ 3604 is a draft of the revised Timber-framed buildings Standard NZS 3604, the foremost Standard in New Zealand for the building and construction industry. The public comment period ends on 7 April 2010.

Standards New Zealand will collate all comments received for the committee to consider, before a final version of the Standard is prepared for the committee to vote on. Publication of the revised NZS 3604 is scheduled for late 2010/early 2011.

Specification for concrete production – Amendment 2 published

Standards New Zealand has published Amendment 2 to Specification for concrete production NZS 3104:2003. Amendment 2 is the result of a project sponsored by the New Zealand Ready Mixed Concrete Association to incorporate a new type of mechanism for the testing of weigh systems.

Since the initial drafting of NZS 3104, clauses dealing with weigh scale checking have remained unchanged. In this time there has been a significant introduction of load cell technology replacing the mechanical knife-edge systems that dominated in 1983.

Building controls update 104 – consultation on proposals for reform of the Building Act

The Government is proposing a number of options for reform of the Building Act 2004, set out in the discussion document Cost-effective quality: next generation building control in New Zealand.

Without compromising safety and quality, the proposals are aimed at making it easier and cheaper for New Zealanders to build dependable-quality, cost-effective homes and buildings.

The closing date for comments is 23 April 2010.

New rules for plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers

From 1 April 2010 some very important changes to the rules covering gasfitting work will come into force with the full implementation of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006. These changes are primarily aimed at improving public health and safety.

Following extensive industry consultation, the Minister for Building and Construction has accepted the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board's recommendations on a wide variety of matters including changing the names of the main licence classes.

'Building and construction outlook' – March quarterly report released

The Department of Building and Housing has released a new quarterly report titled Building and construction outlook. The report provides a comprehensive overview and useful analysis of trends in the building and construction sector. It provides timely, relevant, and easy-to-understand information on the industry for key players and those with an interest in building and construction.

The quarterly report is a useful resource of up-to-date sector information and analysis for industry players. The report is in a handy A5 format containing coloured graphs and charts to illustrate the trends in the building and construction sector.

NEW PUBLICATION

AS/NZS 4131:2010 Polyethylene (PE) compounds for pressure pipes and fittings

Specifies requirements for polyethylene compounds (PE 80 and PE 100) suitable for manufacturing polyethylene pipes and fittings for pressure applications. Minimum requirements are given for materials, additives, and long-term pressure performance. Methods of demonstrating compliance with this Standard are given in Appendix A. Compounds complying with this Standard are not intended for use with gas containing more than 1% aromatics by volume. Where aromatic content is greater than this, testing for resistance to gas constituents should be carried out in accordance with ISO 4437.
Supersedes AS/NZS 4131:2003

→ Buy this Standard

NEW AMENDMENTS

Free to download from our website: www.standards.co.nz
Or hard copy available at $29.95+GST (Members), $37.44+GST (Retail)

Amendment 2:2010 to NZS 3104:2003 Specification for concrete production

For information on this amendment, please see the article Specification for concrete production – Amendment 2 published.

→ Buy NZS 3104:2003 Specification for concrete production with all Amendments incorporated

Amendment 1:2010 to AS/NZS 5065:2005 Polyethylene and polypropylene pipes and fittings for drainage and sewerage applications

Applies to the Foreword, Clauses 1.1, 1.4.2, 1.5, 2.1.3, 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2.3, 3.3.1, 3.3.4(new), 3.4.1, 3.4.3, 4.4, 5.1 and 5.4, Tables 2.1(new), 3.0(new), 4.1, A1 and Appendix B.

→ Buy AS/NZS 5065:2005 Polyethylene and polypropylene pipes and fittings for drainage and sewerage applications with Amendment 1 incorporated

DRAFT STANDARD FOR COMMENT

Free to download from our website: www.standards.co.nz

DZ 3604 Timber-framed buildings

For information on this draft, please see the article Draft timber-framed buildings Standard NZS 3604 – public comment reminder.

Standards New Zealand would like to thank all of those who have been involved during the development stage of the revision of NZS 3604. Special thanks to the P3604 technical committee, the P3604 Leadership Group, the members of the various technical committee workgroups, and those who provided feedback during the planning phase of the project.

Public comment on this draft closes on 7 April 2010.

→ View or download Draft Standard for comment

STANDARDS WITHDRAWN

• AS/NZS 4131:2003 Polyethylene (PE) compounds for pressure pipes and fittings
  Superseded by AS/NZS 4131:2010
• NZS 4203:1992 Volumes 1 and 2 General structural design and design loadings for buildings
  Superseded by AS/NZS 1170 (all parts) which is now referenced by the New Zealand Building Code.

STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT

Installing insulation – Amendment 1

Committee: P4246 A1
Project Manager: Vicki Allison
Estimated Publication Date: April 2010
Comments: The committee met in December to review submissions on whether to remove the section on reflective pliable membranes from the Standard. This deletion has now been confirmed. The committee is now finalising the draft and it is on target for publication in April 2010.

Amendment 2 to NZS 4229:1999 Concrete masonry buildings not requiring specific engineering design