Revised timber-framed buildings Standard NZS 3604 – public comment completed
Standards New Zealand released a draft of the revised Timber-framed buildings Standard NZS 3604 for public comment in February 2010. NZS 3604 is the foremost Standard in New Zealand for the building and construction industry. Publication of the revised NZS 3604 is scheduled for late 2010/early 2011.
Standards New Zealand received many comments and would like to thank all those who took the time to review the draft and provide their views. The feedback provided was clearly well thought out and concise, and, in general, there was overall support of the proposed changes to NZS 3604.
...
[more]Bottom plate fixings to slab-on-ground floors – general fixing requirements
Reproduced from BRANZ Guideline May 2010.
There are two separate criteria for the fixing of bottom plates to slab-on-ground floors.
- For fixing down timber plates as required by NZS 3604 7.5.12.
- As hold-down fixings for bottom plates for proprietary bracing systems.
Bottom plate fixings to slab-on-ground floors – bottom plates generally
...
[more]Barrier and handrail fixings
While you may not consider it the most aesthetic solution, B1/AS1 gives one design option as a deemed-to-comply solution for the design and fixing requirements for a timber handrail/barrier to a deck. Where a glass, aluminium or other barrier solution is proposed, it will need to be specifically engineered to meet the loadings given in AS/NZS 1170 for barriers. Specific design will be required for the structural connections of the barrier to the deck and adjacent walls. Where the barrier provides protection against falling from a waterproof deck, such fixings must be designed to ensure the performance requirements of clause E2 External moisture will be met (although no details are provided in E2/AS1).
To buy Standards in the AS/NZS 1170 series visit www.standards.co.nz and enter '1170' in the search field, or email enquiries@standards.co.nz, or call 0800 782 632 during business hours.
Reproduced from BRANZ Guideline May 2010.
Horizontal weatherboard fixing centres
NZS 3604 clause 11.5.2.2 specifies that horizontal weatherboards are to be fixed to framing at not more than 600 mm centres. E2/AS1 has no specific fixing centre requirement but does limit framing spacing to 600 mm and specify nail lengths for given head types and minimum framing penetration in Table 24.
Some weatherboard manufacturers specify, in their installation instructions, fixing to all studs.
Related Touchstone article
Reproduced from BRANZ Guideline May 2010.
Deck piles and jack studs
The design Standard for design and construction of support framing (piles and jack studs) to decks is Section 6 of NZS 3604. Timber piles/jack studs supporting a deck must be either 125 mm square or 140 mm diameter round, treated to H5.
The pile/jack stud size requirement applies regardless of the height of the deck off the ground.
Related Touchstone article
Reproduced from BRANZ Guideline May 2010.
STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT
Amendment 2 to NZS 4229:1999 Concrete masonry buildings not requiring specific engineering design
Committee: P4229
Project Manager: Jono East
Estimated Publication Date: To be confirmed
Comments: Standards New Zealand is reviving an amendment project which originally commenced in 2006. The project was put on hold until a full revision of NZS 3604 commenced as any changes to the seismic zones in NZS 4229 needed to be considered in conjunction with NZS 3604.
WS-013 Review of domestic wastewater systems
...
[more]