Department of Building and Housing, 30 January 2009 Building Controls Update
No. 95 – Building Code clause H1 energy efficiency amendments
From 1 February 2009, new Building Code (NZBC) provisions for hot water and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems come into force. The department provides the following guidance to help designers and building consent authorities (BCAs) interpret the new provisions on hot water and HVAC. BCAs, when issuing building consents, will need to consider the provisions on a case-by-case basis. Copies of the new NZBC clause H1 are available at: www.dbh.govt.nz/energy-efficiency.
Hot water energy efficiency provisions of the Building Code now include a new requirement for systems to ‘be constructed to facilitate the efficient use of hot water’ (new NZBC clause H1.3.4(c)). This new provision only applies to buildings that are classified as housing (see NZBC clause A1 for definitions). The existing acceptable solution for hot water energy ...read more [opens in new window]
Timber adhesives – new Interim Standard
An Interim Standard for timber adhesives is available, pending the outcome of a major research project on new generation adhesives durability. This Interim Standard expires on 31 December 2010.
Adhesives for timber and timber products – Adhesives for manufacture of plywood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), AS/NZS 2754.1(Int):2008, provides the specifications for adhesives suitable for use in the plywood and LVL manufacturing industry.
Structural design actions – new Amendment
Amendment 2 to AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 is now available. Applies to clause 1.1, tables 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and Appendices A and B.
Download this amendment (free)
(Note that a charge applies for hard copies of amendments.)
Buy the looseleaf amendment.
This Amendment has now also been incorporated into the AS/NZS 1170 Ringbinder Set as Amendment 1.2. This Structural design actions set (comprising Parts 0, 1, 2, 3 and 5, plus all Supplements and Amendments) is a two-volume loose-leaf set of the AS/NZS 1170 structural design and loading Standards that are applicable in New Zealand.
New BRANZ design tool – lintels and beams calculator
A new lintels and beams calculator is available from BRANZ (visit www.branz.co.nz/lintels_and_beams). This tool is designed to allow the calculation of a range of beam options in timber, steel, glu-lam and LVL for buildings within the scope of NZS 3604. It allows lintels and beams to be sized for a range of spans outside the tables in NZS 3604, as well as the range of lintel or beam materials options.
The engineering basis of the calculations can also be printed off to support the use of the beam calculator for consent purposes.
Insulation shocker
Reprinted with permission from Safeguard magazine, www.safeguard.co.nz. This story is abridged from the July/August 2008 edition.
Peter Bateman describes how a plumber’s alert galvanised an Auckland company into action to prevent electrocution risk from underfloor metal insulation.
Auckland-based Henshaw Group managing director Neal Murphy recalls the day in March 2007 when a plumber responded to a note the company had sent out to all staff and contractors. The note advised of the new Standard NZS 4246:2006 Energy efficiency – Installing insulation in residential buildings, which had appeared at the end of 2006.
The Standard sets down the methods to ensure underfloor insulation is installed safely, particularly when the foil is stapled to the floor and may become electrically live. The plumber was concerned that his daily work routinely placed him beneath older houses, right up again ...read more [opens in new window]
Cement & Concrete Association – 2008 RED Book
The updated Cement & Concrete Association RED Book (Examples of Concrete Structural Design to New Zealand Standard Code of Practice for the Design of Concrete Structures – NZS 3101) is available to purchase.
This edition was written following the 2006 revision of NZS 3101 (including Amendment 1). At this stage only sections A1, A2, B1 and B2 (structural frame building) are included. However, sections B3, C1 and C2 (structural wall system and low rise industrial building) will be released later in 2009.
For further information, email CCANZ: admin@cca.org.nz.
NEW AMENDMENT AVAILABLE
Amendment 1 to NZS 3116:2002 Concrete segmental and flagstone paving
Concrete segmental and flagstone paving, NZS 3116:2002, sets out provisions for the non-specific engineering design and construction of pavements using segmental and flagstone pavers. Amendment 1 to NZS 3116:2002 is now available – it provides New Zealand variations to paver manufacture and tests for AS/NZS 4455 and AS/NZS 4456. The amendment also extends the scope of the Standard to include flagstone paving.
Buy this amendment
UPDATE ON STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT
Timber framed buildings Committee: P3604
Project Manager: Mani Taare
Estimated Publication Date: 2010
Comments: Formation of the leadership group is complete. The P3604 Technical Committee has been constituted and the first meeting was held on 16 February 2009.
Revision of NZS 3122:1995 and NZS 3123:1974 Committee: P3122-3123
Project Manager: Mani Taare
Estimated Publication Date: August 2009
Comments: A project for the amendment of NZS 3122:1995 Specification for Portland and blended cements (General and special purpose) and revision of NZS 3123:1974 Specification for Portland pozzolan cement (type PP cement). First committee meeting took place on 12 February 2009.
Specification – Seismic performance of engineering systems in buildings Committee: P4219
Project Manager: Stuart Ng
Estimated Publication Date: March 2009
Comments: The final refinements to the clauses of the Standard are being resolved, and the ballot will then be carried out.
Code of Practice for concrete structures for the storage of liquid Committee: P3106 Phase 2
Project Manager: Sonia van Ree
Estimated Publication Date: June 2009
Comments: Public Comment meeting is scheduled for mid March.
Thermal insulation – Housing and small buildings Committee: P4218
Project Manager: Sonia van Ree
Estimated Publication Date: June 2009
Comments: The remainder of the large number of Public Comments received are being worked through by the Committee, Postal ballot will then be carried out, this is expected to be mid April.
Revision of NZS 3404 Steel structures - Phases 1, 2, & 3 Committee: P3404
Project Manager: Jono East
Estimated Publication Date: June 2009
Comments: Committee meeting was held in February to review public comments received on 3404 Part 1. Committee commencing scoping work and revision of Parts 2 & 6.
WS-013 Review of domestic wastewater systems Committee: WS-013
Project Manager: Jono East
Estimated Publication Date: April 2009
Comments: The committee is revising AS/NZS 1547 draft in light of comments received during the ballot stage.