Successful NZS 3604:2011 seminars completed

Issue 29 – July 2011

BRANZ, the Department of Building and Housing, and Standards New Zealand were pleased to bring the industry the largest BRANZ seminar series in almost 12 years. Over 3,800 people attended 34 presentations on changes to NZS 3604. Seminars were held from Kaitaia to Invercargill from March to May 2011.

Strong interest in Standards New Zealand's stand at buildNZ designex Expo

Issue 29 – July 2011

The 2011 buildNZ designex Expo, held in Auckland in June, attracted thousands of visitors from the building and construction sector and we had the opportunity to meet and talk with hundreds of visitors at the Standards New Zealand stand.

DBH consultation to update references to 60 cited Standards

Issue 29 – July 2011

To take account of recent changes to Standards, the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) is proposing some minor amendments to update, replace, or withdraw references to 60 Standards cited in the Acceptable Solutions, Verification Methods, and Compliance Schedule Handbook.

Why is DBH consulting?

Check that plumbers are qualified and registered

Issue 29 – July 2011

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc says as people in Christchurch start thinking about rebuilding it is important they safeguard themselves by checking that a plumber, gasfitter, or drainlayer is registered.

Post-Cyclone Yasi – Standards Australia review of Standards

Issue 29 – July 2011

In light of Cyclone Yasi and the subsequent James Cook University report Tropical Cyclone Yasi structural damage to buildings, Standards Australia is working with stakeholders to review its catalogue of relevant Standards. Such a significant event demands a review by committees of relevant Standards.

BRANZ Guideline June 2011 – May Guideline definitions for fixing locations – open, sheltered, and closed

Issue 29 – July 2011

The 'open', 'sheltered', and 'closed' definitions used in NZS 3604:2011 are to define the location of the metal components. 'Sheltered' also includes external parts of a building that are not exposed to direct rain wetting such as under eaves, an open subfloor, a cantilevered floor, or a deck with a sheet material as its surface finish (see Figure 4.3 (a) and (b) of NZS 3604:2011).

Related Standard

• NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings

BRANZ Guideline June 2011 – particleboard flooring, minimum heights above ground

Issue 29 – July 2011

Where a suspended floor is constructed with particleboard flooring, product suppliers specify a minimum clearance between the underside of the particleboard and the ground. Generally, this is given as 550 mm minimum, but it may be specified as a minimum dimension of 450 mm between the ground and the bottom of the joist (which will give at least 550 mm clearance with commonly used joist sizes).

BRANZ Guideline June 2011 – plasterboard ceilings, reducing cracking risk

Issue 29 – July 2011

When specifying and installing plasterboard ceilings, it is essential that the manufacturer's specific recommendations are followed to minimise the risk of cracking at sheet joints, particularly in large ceiling planes.

DRAFT STANDARD FOR COMMENT

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

DR AS/NZS 4666 Insulating glass units (Revision of AS/NZS 4666:2000)

Sets out requirements and guidelines for the long term type testing, glazing, periodic manufacturing testing, and other associated aspects to do with insulating glass units intended for use in buildings.

Public comment on this draft Standard closes on 24 August 2011

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: Late 2011
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