Amendments to Building Code Compliance Documents to reference updated Standards – effective 30 September 2010

The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) has published amendments to a number of Compliance Documents to update references to Standards and other documents. The amendments will take effect from 30 September 2010. They are available now and a 3-month transition period applies.

These Compliance Documents contain building methods that assist designers, architects, and builders achieve compliance with the Building Code. DBH consulted on the proposed changes earlier this year and has now finalised the amendments.

Revised AS timber framing code now available

Standards Australia has released a revised edition of AS 1684 Residential Timber Framed Construction, updating Parts 2, 3, and 4 in line with new research findings and current industry practice.

Known within the industry as the Timber Framing Code, AS 1684 provides important provisions for building practice procedures to determine timber members, and bracing and fixing requirements used in residential timber-framed buildings.

National carpentry title – one for the girls

Unitec carpentry apprentice Kartika Mutzelburg has created history in winning the first ever 'Third Year Apprentice Challenge' organised by Certified Builders' Association of New Zealand (CBANZ) and Industry Training Association Building (ITaB).

As the first – and only – female apprentice to make the national final in Queenstown last weekend, Mutzelburg now has bragging rights over some of her male peers.

Latest Building and Construction Outlook – homebuilding upswing

The fundamentals for a homebuilding upswing in 2010 are still in place, says the Department of Building and Housing's Building and Construction Outlook for the June quarter 2010.

According to the quarterly report the building industry is cautious about the outlook for the residential sector. The non-residential sector continues to show signs of decline. There are, however, indicators that support a rise in construction activity such as an improving outlook for employment and a projected shortage in housing due to population growth.

The quarterly report is a comprehensive overview of the building and construction sector and provides up-to-date information for industry players and all interested in the sector's trends.

The Building and Construction Outlook for the June quarter 2010 is available to download (www.dbh.govt.nz/building-and-construction-quarterly-report-2) from the Department of Building and Housing's website.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

AS/NZS 2845 Water supply - Backflow prevention devices

AS/NZS 2845.1:2010 Materials, design and performance requirements

Specifies requirements for the materials, design, performance and testing of mechanical backflow prevention devices that are used for the protection of water supplies.
Superseded AS/NZS 2845.1:1998 Water supply - Backflow prevention devices - Materials, design and performance requirements

→ Buy AS/NZS 2845.1:1998

AS/NZS 4063 Characterization of structural timber

NEW AMENDMENTS

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

Or hard copy available at $32.00+GST (Members), $40.00+GST (Retail)

Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 4131:2010 Polyethylene (PE) compounds for pressure pipes and fittings

Amendment 1 corrects an equation error in clause 6.1.

→ Buy AS/NZS 4131:2010 Polyethylene (PE) compounds for pressure pipes and fittings with Amendment one incorporated

Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 4766:2006 Polyethylene storage tanks for water and chemicals

DRAFT STANDARDS FOR COMMENT

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

DR1170.0 General Design Requirements and Loading on Structures

The aim of this amendment is to provide designers of structures with wind actions for use in the design of structures subject to wind action. It provides a detailed procedure for the determination of wind actions on structures, varying from those less sensitive to wind action to those for which dynamic response must be taken into consideration. Amendment applies to Clauses 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 5.2, 6.2.2, 6.2.5, Table 4.1, Table C1 and Appendices D and G.
Public comment on this draft closes on 3 August 2010

→ View or download this draft Standard for comment

DZ 3122 A1 Specification for Portland and blended cements (General and special purpose)

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