Building Regs Update

Feb 2020 Building Regs Update

Proposed Changes to the Building Code –

• Improving building features for firefighter operations in emergencies to better align with current Fire and Emergency New Zealand procedures and equipment, and
• Amending fire testing requirements for cladding systems, so that international fire test methods can be considered.
• Issuing a new Acceptable Solution for the design and installation of stormwater drainage systems, and
• Making it easier to determine rainfall intensities for specific locations
• Referencing the Waterproofing Membrane Association code of practice for Internal Wet-area Membrane Systems.

Details of proposed changes –

C Protection from Fire

• C/AS1 and C/AS2 – Clarify the scope of risk group SH (residential housing) between the two documents
• C/AS2 and C/VM2 – Amend fire testing requirements for cladding systems to reference large-scale international test standards as a means of demonstrating compliance
• C/AS2 – Clarify and make the application of the document more consistent for means of escape, group sleeping areas, control of external fire spread and firefighting
• C/VM2 – Amend design scenarios HS ‘Horizontal fire spread’ and VS ‘External vertical fire spread’ by changing the cladding requirements.

E1 Surface Water

• E1/AS2 – Issue a new Acceptable Solution referencing AS/NZS 3500.3:2018 Stormwater drainage as a means of compliance with Building Code clause E1 Surface Water (with modifications)
• E1/AS1 – Amend E1/AS1 Appendix A to replace the rainfall intensity maps with a table that provides current location-specific rainfall intensity data for ~250 NZ towns and cities.

E2 External Moisture

• E2/AS1 – Minor amendments to existing references within Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 to support the introduction of Acceptable Solution E1/AS2 (E1 Surface Water reference updates).

E3 Internal Moisture

• E3/AS2 and E3/AS1 – Issue a new Acceptable Solution for internal wet-area membranes and tiled showers referencing the Waterproofing Membrane Association code of practice for Internal Wet-area Membrane Systems. This is supported by amendments to E3/AS1.
• E3/AS1 – Provide additional options to manage overflow risks in kitchens and laundries in adjoined household units.

G9 Electricity

• G9/VM1 and G9/AS1 – Align G9/VM1 and G9/AS1 with WorkSafe requirements by referencing the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010
• G9/AS1 – Align requirements for accessibility with NZS 4121:2001.

G13 Foul Water

• G13/AS3 – Modify two additional clauses within AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 Sanitary plumbing and drainage to reflect the intent of figure 4.9.1 (a) 45° Junction at grade.

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