Update on revision of NZS 3910:2003 Conditions of contract for building and engineering construction

Issue 39 – June 2012

NZS 3910:2003 Conditions of contract for building and engineering construction is the most widely used standard form of contract conditions in New Zealand. It provides a standard form of general conditions of contract written in plain English to incorporate into construction contract documents. It was developed for New Zealand industry sectors by New Zealanders who are experts in their fields. These experts include consulting engineers, contractors, builders, lawyers, and local government representatives.

Southland Stadium investigation result reports released

Issue 39 – June 2012

The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) recently released the independent investigation report into the collapse of the Stadium Southland roof to key stakeholders and the media. The findings of the investigation are that the roof of Invercargill's Stadium Southland collapsed on 18 September 2010 because of substandard building design and construction.

Building Code documents C1-C6 Protection from Fire, F7 Warning Systems and F8 Signs – available now

Issue 39 – June 2012

The Department of Building and Housing introduced changes to the Building Code documents for C1- C6 Protection from Fire, F7 Warning Systems, and F8 Signs on 10 April 2012.

Earthquake repairs – new section on BRANZ website

Issue 39 – June 2012

A new section has been added to the BRANZ website providing useful links, research, and advice on earthquake repairs and rebuilding. The Earthquake repair and rebuilding section:

New Zealand Concrete Society – damage control design seminars

Issue 39 – June 2012

The Christchurch earthquakes sequence in 2010 – 2011 has critically highlighted the mismatch between societal expectations over the reality of seismic performance of modern buildings.

New Zealand Green Building Council recognises best practice PVC point

Issue 39 – June 2012

The New Zealand Plastics Industry Pipes Association (PIPA) recently announced that the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has introduced a revised PVC Credit that awards Green Star points for PVC pipe complying with Best Practice Guidelines for PVC in the Built Environment (the Guidelines). Green Star is the predominant environmental rating tool for New Zealand buildings. The new credit will become effective from 1 July 2012.

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board – May 2012 update

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – Thanks to the 148 submitters who took the opportunity to tell the PGDB what they thought of its revised CPD proposal. After considering all the submissions, the Board has now reached its decision and has prepared Gazette notices. As required under the Act, these notices have been provided to the Minister of Building and Construction. Once the Board has the Minister's approval, Gazette notices will be published and the details communicated.

Understanding new gasfitting compliance documents

Issue 39 – June 2012

AS/NZS 5601.1:2010 and AS/NZS 5601.2:2010

By now certifying gasfitters should be aware that AS/NZS 5601.1:2010 Gas installations – Part 1: General installations and AS/NZS 5601.2:2010 Gas installations – Part 2: LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes are set to replace NZS 5261:2003 Gas installation and NZS 5428:2006 LPG installations for non-propulsive purposes in caravans and boats at the end of this year (31 December 2012). In the meantime, all these Standards are in force but the PGDB encourages you to familiarise yourself with the new Standards before the old Standards expire.

BRANZ Guideline May 2012

Issue 39 – June 2012

In this issue of Guideline you will find information about concrete slabs – shrinkage control joints, timber baseboards to pile – minimum treatment, new recessed downlight requirements for homes, and the Sustainable Housing Summit.

Concrete slabs – shrinkage control joints

Saw cutting of shrinkage control joints must be carried out within:

DRAFT STANDARDS FOR COMMENT

Issue 39 – June 2012

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

DR AS/NZS 1080.1 Timber – Methods of test – Part 1: Moisture content (Revision of AS/NZS 1080.1:1997 - to be AS/NZS 1080.1:201X)

Sets out the oven-dry method (see Clause 4) for determining the moisture content of timber as the only accurate method of truly assigning, with confidence, a moisture content to a piece of timber.

STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT

Issue 39 – June 2012

Chemical preservation of round and sawn timber – Amendment 5

Committee: P3640 A5
Project Manager: Carolyn Gay
Estimated Publication Date: July 2012
Comments: An amendment to NZS 3640 is underway to allow for the inclusion of new timber treatments and to align the Standard with Amendment 7 of B2/AS1. Public comment closed on 9 May 2012 and the committee met on 30 May 2012 to discuss the feedback received.