Revision of Standard for timber-framed buildings NZS 3604 – technical committee and review update

Timber-framed buildings, NZS 3604:1999, is the foremost building Standard in New Zealand for the building and construction industry. A 'limited technical review' of NZS 3604 is now underway and the draft revised Standard is planned for public comment release in late 2009. Publication is scheduled by late 2010/early 2011.

The project is in the early stages of draft development and the organisational structure for the project has been broken down into three main areas: a leadership group, a single technical committee (P 3604), and five work groups have been established. The leadership group has held two meetings to date, the technical committee three meetings, and the five work groups are currently working on specific assignments to report to the next P3604 meeting currently planned for June 2009.

Risk from insulation over downlights

Reproduced from Codewords 36, April 2009, Department of Building and Housing

Incorrect installation of thermal insulation over downlights can present a risk of fire in buildings.

The Department of Building and Housing is reminding suppliers, contractors, and building practitioners who are installing, supervising or subcontracting this work about the requirements of the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice 54 (ECP 54) and the importance of following the downlight manufacturer's installation requirements.

Retrofitting insulation

The Department does not recommend using loose-fill insulation in a ceiling cavity that has downlights, unless the downlight manufacturer provides specific instructions for this.

Downlights (especially halogen) can generate considerable heat and when thermal insulation, particularly loose-fill insulation, is installed over existing lights a risk of fire may be introduced.

BRANZ Guideline May 2009

Reproduced from BRANZ Guideline May 2009

Supplementary protection to cut surfaces of treated timber

NZS 3602:2003 Clause 106.2 (timber in contact with ground, to achieve 50 year durability) requires house piles and poles to be treated to H5, and any cut or bored surfaces shall have in situ treatment in accordance with NZS 3640. It is also a requirement of NZS 3604 clause 6.4.3.3.

→ Buy NZS 3602:2003 Timber and wood-based products for use in building

→ Buy NZS 3604:1999 Timber-framed buildings

NZS 3640:2003 Informative Appendix B5 (Machining and sawing treated timber) says it is advisable to apply supplementary protection, as prescribed by the manufacturer, to H3.1 and higher timber, if cut or machined after treatment. Appendix B5 is recommended practice, and Clause 1.2.4 (Definitions) clarifies that the term "informative" identifies information provided for guidance or background but that does not form part of the mandatory requirements. Hence, it is not a mandatory requirement to apply supplementary protection to cut ends of H3.1 treated timber.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

AS/NZS 3690:2009 Installation of ABS pipe systems

Primarily addresses the installation, testing and commissioning of ABS pipes and fittings for water plumbing, drainage, stormwater drainage, and industrial and irrigation applications and is not intended to replace industry-specific installation codes or regulations. Site specific characteristics may require provisions additional to the requirements in this Standard.

$74.95+GST (Members), $93.69+GST (Retail) Hardcopy
$67.46+GST (Members), $84.32+GST (Retail) PDF

→ Buy this Standard

TR 5058:2009 Temperature rerating of PVC pressure pipes operating at elevated temperatures

Presents a method for rerating PVC pressure pipes operating at temperatures above 20°C and below 50°C. It applies to pressure pipes made of unplasticized PVC (PVC-U), modified PVC (PVC-M) and oriented PVC (PVC-O).

$29.95+GST (Members), $37.44+GST (Retail) Hardcopy
$26.96+GST (Members), $23.70+GST (Retail) PDF

STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT

Timber framed buildings

Committee: P3604
Project Manager: Mani Taare
Estimated Publication Date: Late 2010, early 2011
Comments: The project is in the draft development stage. The organisational structure for the project is a Leadership Group, P3604 Technical committee and there are five workgroups covering Loadings, Durability, Bracing, Roof framing and Design appearance and clarity. Several meetings have now been conducted with the focus being on having the revised draft ready for public comment by November 2009.

Revision of NZS 3122:1995 and NZS 3123:1974

Committee: P3122-3123
Project Manager: Mani Taare
Estimated Publication Date: August 2009
Comments: A project for the revision of NZS 3122:1995 Specification for portland and blended cements (General and special purpose) and revision of NZS 3123:1974 Specification for portland pozzolan cement (type PP cement). The drafts for both Standards will be going to public comment on 5 June 2009.

Code of Practice for concrete structures for the storage of liquid

Committee: P3106 Phase 2
Project Manager: Sonia van Ree
Estimated Publication Date: June 2009
Comments: The Draft will go out to the Committee for Postal Ballot in early June and is also undergoing a pre-publishing edit.

Installing insulation – Amendment 1

Committee: P4246 A1
Project Manager: Vicki Allison
Estimated Publication Date: October 2009
Comments: The committee has met to agree the draft content of the amendment. This is expected to be released for public consultation in mid June.

Thermal insulation – Housing and small buildings

Committee: P4218
Project Manager: Sonia van Ree
Estimated Publication Date: June 2009
Comments: The draft is currently at Postal Ballot, and is undergoing a pre-publishing edit.

Revision of NZS3404 Steel structures - Phases 1, 2 & 3

Committee: P3404
Project Manager: Jono East
Estimated Publication Date: July 2009 (NZS 3404 part 1 only)
Comments: The comittee is confirming final changes to 3404.1 resulting from the public comment review of the draft. Once all alterations have been agreed the draft will move to committee ballot.

WS-013 Review of domestic wastewater systems

Committee: WS-013
Project Manager: Jono East
Estimated Publication Date: September/October 2009
Comments: The committee is revising AS/NZS1547 draft in light of comments received during the ballot stage.

Water efficient appliances

Committee: WS-032
Project Manager: Bruce Taylor
Estimated Publication Date: No publication
Comments: Standards New Zealand has been commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment to set up and facilitate an advisory group to co-ordinate New Zealand's input to a joint Australia/ New Zealand Standards committee (WS-032). This committee is responsible for amendments to the joint Standard (AS/NZS 6400:2005) on the rating and labelling of water efficient products such as taps, showers and other water-using appliances. The next meeting of the New Zealand advisory group is on 11 June 2009. The meeting will discuss progress on amendments to AS/NZS 6400 as well as progress towards the introduction of water efficiency regulations in New Zealand.