Revised timber-framed buildings Standard – NZS 3604:2011 available now

Issue 24 – February 2011

Standards New Zealand has just published NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings. NZS 3604 provides guidance to builders, architects, engineers, designers, and students for the design and construction of timber-framed structures not requiring specific engineering design. The Standard is a core resource for building consent authorities determining compliance with the New Zealand Building Code.

NZS 3604:2011 and B2 (Durability) seminars – led by BRANZ in partnership with DBH and Standards New Zealand

Issue 25 – March 2011

Seminars on the 2011 edition of NZS 3604 and B2 (Durability) Acceptable Solution are planned to commence in March at a range of locations around New Zealand.

SNZ HB 3604:2011 Timber-Framed Buildings Handbook: Excerpts from NZS 3604:2011 – available for public comment until 16 March 2011

Issue 25 – March 2011

During the development of the Timber-framed buildings Standard, NZS 3604:2011, the need for a Handbook containing a collection of figures and tables extracted from the Standard was identified. Standards New Zealand undertook four consultation meetings with various interested parties and the draft SNZ HB 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings Handbook: Excerpts from NZS 3604:2011 is the outcome of that consultation.

Safer house design – handbook to be developed

Issue 24 – February 2011

Accident Compensation Corporation has contracted Standards New Zealand to develop a handbook on safer house design. The handbook will replace the existing Standard, Safer house design (Guidelines to reduce injury at home) NZS 4102:1996. The handbook will provide a vital resource for home owners and DIY enthusiasts to enable them to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury by accident in the home.

Errata to Compliance Documents B1 Structure and E1 Surface Water

Issue 24 – February 2011

On 30 June 2010 the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) published amendments to 11 Compliance Documents that came into effect on 30 September 2010. DBH has since published errata to the B1 Structure and E1 Surface Water Compliance Documents. Amended PDFs are on the DBH website and replacement pages to E1 have been mailed out by DBH.

Repair and rebuild of houses in land-damaged areas of Canterbury – guidance document published

Issue 24 – February 2011

The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) has issued a Guidance document to assist the repair and rebuild of houses in land-damaged areas of Canterbury. The document was officially released by the Minister for Building and Construction on 20 December 2010.

Rebuilding Canterbury with confidence

Issue 24 – February 2011

As smaller earthquakes continue to shake Canterbury, Department of Building and Housing (DBH) staff continue their work on recovery and reconstruction, providing support to councils and local people while planning and working towards the larger rebuilding programme.

Homes for tomorrow – building through Standards, international workshop

Issue 24 – February 2011

How can Standards help our homes reflect trends and daily realities in an evolving world? The ISO Committee on consumer policy (ISO/COPOLCO) will address this question in a workshop in London on 24 May 2011, at the invitation of the British Standards Institution. The workshop, 'Homes for tomorrow – building through Standards' will consider if, and how, Standards can add value.

Construction moisture in concrete subfloors

Issue 24 – February 2011

It is common practice in new buildings to install floor coverings over concrete floors. Flooring failures attributed to excess moisture in concrete are a common occurrence and, because of the fast-track nature of a lot of today's construction projects, the installation may be rushed and failure can occur. It's important to know what to ask for and how to test whether the concrete is dry before flooring is installed.

National Competency Assessment System for Building Consent Authorities

Issue 24 – February 2011

The new National Competency Assessment System for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) is a response to the government's goal to achieve greater national consistency, standardisation, and efficiencies in administering the Building Act, Building Code, and Regulations.

BRANZ guidelines – timber decking, glass units, cladding, and product substitution

Issue 24 – February 2011

Summarised from BRANZ Guideline December 2010

Installing timber decking

Gun nailing and tight edge-butting of timber decking is not recommended by BRANZ. Tight edge-butting of timber with an unknown moisture content may mean the timber will swell (increase in size – both length and width) and buckle off the deck and/or close the 12 mm drainage gap required between any decking timber and the adjacent wall cladding.

2010 Apprentice of the Year – Isaac Alder

Issue 24 – February 2011

Nelson builder Isaac Alder has won the coveted title of the Registered Master Builders 2010 Apprentice of the Year. Rhys Doesburg of Wellington was second and Northland's Atama O'Donnell took out third place.

New Zealand winner of Trans-Tasman Timber Design Award

Issue 24 – February 2011

The winners of the inaugural Trans-Tasman Timber Design Awards were announced in December 2010. Winners were chosen from among the very best entries in the Australian and the New Zealand Timber Design Awards.

NEW PUBLICATION

NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings

Provides methods and details for the design and construction of timber-framed structures not requiring specific engineering design. This Standard applies to residential buildings up to three-storeys high including multi-residential buildings, some commercial buildings and freestanding, uninhabited garages. This limited technical review of NZS 3604 reflects the current and future needs of industry, changes in materials and industry practice, and the changes in related Standards since the last revision in 1999, including those Standards that set requirements for loadings.

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 2:2010 to AS/NZS 3500.1:2003 Plumbing and drainage - Water services

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: 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