Department of Building and Housing Building Controls Update 127 – P21 (2010) wall bracing test and evaluation procedure

Issue 36 – March 2012

From 1 February 2012, all users of the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 document must follow the latest version (Amendment 11), which references NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings. This means that from 1 February 2012, all wall bracing unit ratings must be based on the new P21 (2010) protocol.

Department of Building and Housing's Building Controls Update 128 – end of transition period for Structure and External Moisture Building Code documents

Issue 36 – March 2012

The Department of Building and Housing introduced changes to the supporting documents for Structure (Clause B1) and External Moisture (Clause E2) on 1 August 2011. The transition period (during which earlier versions of these documents could be used) has ended. This means that from 1 February 2012, only the latest versions of these documents apply as Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods. If you're a builder or designer, you should be familiar with the new versions of these Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods.

Expression of interest – new Standard on installation of ground source heat pump systems

Issue 36 – March 2012

Standards Australia has approved a project to develop a new Standard on the minimum requirements for system design, installation, testing, verification, and decommissioning for ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems for domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. The Standard will cover Closed-loop GSHP systems. There is potential for this Standard to be developed as a joint Australian/New Zealand Standard and Standards New Zealand is seeking views from stakeholders on:

Restricted building work and licensed building practitioners – 'Build it Right' campaign

Issue 36 – March 2012

The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) recently launched a 2-year 'Build it Right' campaign to improve the quality of building in New Zealand and increase consumer confidence. From 1 March 2012, the introduction of Restricted Building Work (RBW) means most residential building work requiring a building consent must be carried out by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP).

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board – consultation opportunities

Issue 36 – March 2012

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) invites you to make a submission on several consultation documents. The closing date for all submissions is 5pm, 5 April 2012.

Status of electronic records of paper gas certificates clarified

Issue 36 – March 2012

It is important to clarify the status of electronic records of paper gas certificates as there appears to be some misunderstanding among tradespeople. Where an installation was certified using a paper certificate, that certificate serves as the true, legal document. The electronic record of a paper certificate only serves as a record that the paper version exists. A disclaimer clarifying this has been added to the online gas certificate database. It is important to note that if there are any inconsistencies between the paper certificate and the electronic record of it, then the paper version prevails.

Summarised from the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board February 2012 info brief.

BRANZ seminars March 2012 – learnings from the Canterbury earthquakes

Issue 36 – March 2012

New Zealanders involved in the construction and building industry should make themselves aware of the impact of the catastrophic Canterbury earthquakes. BRANZ is holding seminars in March 2012 that focus on the effects of the earthquakes on the structural performance of residential buildings, particularly those that are considered 'modern'. The 2-hour seminars cover:

BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – ALF 3.2 software upgrade

Issue 36 – March 2012

The annual loss factor (ALF) 3.2 thermal calculation programme has been upgraded to include a moisture tab to allow users to predict potential mould issues in rooms with typically high moisture loading in residential building designs. The optional moisture tab was developed to indicate the ability of the design to handle moisture generated within the building.

BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – BRANZ flashing details published before August 2011

Issue 36 – March 2012

BRANZ publications released before August 2011 that include flashing details do not take account of the revised flashing cover that is required by E2/AS1 for the newly introduced extra high wind zone.

BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – E2/AS1 errata now available

Issue 36 – March 2012

The errata to the recently published E2/AS1 incorporating Amendment 5 is now available on the Department of Building and Housing's website.

→ The errata (www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Building/Compliance-documents/E2-External-Moisture-amendment-5-errata-2-rp.pdf) is available on the Department of Building and Housing website.

BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – H3.1 timber weatherboards – NZS 3602 requirement for painting

Issue 36 – March 2012

NZS 3602:2003 Timber and wood-based products for use in buildings requires H3.1-treated timber weatherboards to be painted. Unpainted ends or joints or ripped edges are all potential moisture entry points that could cause premature failure of the paint coating and ultimately the timber. NZS 3602 specifies that H3.1-treated weatherboards and external finishing timbers are painted on all faces including cut ends and joints before fixing in place.

BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – P21 bracing tests

Issue 36 – March 2012

Under NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings (cited in B1/AS1 as a means of compliance with Building Code clause B1 Structure for timber framing), bracing systems being specified are required to have been tested to the September 2010 version of the BRANZ P21 test method.

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BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – screw gauges

Issue 36 – March 2012

Engineers who are specifying screw gauges for structural applications need to be aware of shank diameter differences that occur for a given gauge. For example, for a 10 gauge screw shank, the diameter can range from 2.74 mm to 5.12 mm. The former would only equate to a 4 gauge screw using Table 4.5 in NZS 3603:1993 Timber structures Standard, which requires a 10 gauge screw to have a minimum shank size of 4.88 mm.

BRANZ Guideline February 2012 – stair widths

Issue 36 – March 2012

Building Code compliance document D1/AS1 does not specify a width for common or main private stairways (the most common stairway applicable within residential buildings) but recommends no less than 850 mm.

When designing stairs, factors to consider are the design parameters given in D1/AS1 for:

Full and partial demolition – new British code of practice

Issue 36 – March 2012

BS 6187:2011 Code of practice for full and partial demolition gives good practice recommendations for the demolition (both full and partial) of facilities, including buildings and structures. The Standard applies to demolition activities undertaken as part of structural refurbishment. It also covers decommissioning.

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World Plumbing Day – 11 March

Issue 36 – March 2012

World Plumbing Day is celebrated on 11 March ever year around the world. It recognises the important role plumbing plays in protecting public health and safety.

World Plumbing Day is an international event initiated by the World Plumbing Council (the Council), an international body of member organisations which represent the plumbing industry, including tradespeople, regulators, suppliers, government, and manufacturers.

NEW JOINT STANDARD

AS/NZS 1547:2012 On-site domestic wastewater management

Provides the requirements for treatment units and their respective land-application systems to achieve sustainable and effective on-site domestic wastewater management, to protect public health and the environment. The Standard identifies the performance statements that cover the overall design and sustainable management of on-site domestic wastewater systems. These performance statements set performance objectives which are followed by performance requirements and then, when possible, with performance criteria.

Supersedes AS/NZS 1547:2000

→ Read more in our Touchstone article 'Sustainable on-site domestic wastewater management – revised Standard published'.

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JOINT STANDARD WITHDRAWN

AS/NZS 1547:2000 On-site domestic wastewater management
Superseded by AS/NZS 1547:2012

DRAFT STANDARDS FOR COMMENT

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

DR (2012) AS/NZS 1604.2 Specification for preservative treatment – Part 2: Reconstituted wood-based products (Revision of AS/NZS 1604.2:2010)

Specifies requirements for preservative treatment of reconstituted wood based products, including particleboard, fibreboard, and oriented strand products, and combinations of these materials. It specifies the preservative penetration pattern and the preservative retention requirements suitable for each hazard class.

Public comment on this draft Standard closes on 19 April 2012.

DR (2012) AS/NZS 1604.3 Specification for preservative treatment – Part 3: Plywood (Revision of AS/NZS 1604.3:2010)

STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT

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

Committee: P4229
Project Manager: Rachel Mahony
Estimated Publication Date: Late 2012
Comments: Standards New Zealand has restarted an amendment project which originally commenced in 2006. The project had been put on hold so that changes to the seismic zones in NZS 3604:2011 could be included in NZS 4229. The draft amendment is currently being prepared for public comment.

Platform lifts in domestic buildings and lower speed passenger lifts