Find and access recently published information and resources.

New BRANZ resources and publications

Guideline June 2020

The June issue of Guideline contains practical guidance on the COVID-19 construction protocols updated for alert level 1, sealant failure, timber, moisture and mould/algal growths, using too many nails spoil the board and fixing defects.

Multi-storey light timber-framed buildings in New Zealand: Engineering design

A new book about multi-storey light timber-framed buildings has been published by BRANZ. Click here to access the book as a free download. The book offers guidance on methods for designing light timber-framed (LTF) structures that go beyond 2.5 storeys and are outside the scope of NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings. 

Guideline October 2020

The October issue of Guideline contains practical guidance on the difference between BRANZ Appraisals and CodeMark, substituting 2 x D12 bars for a single D16 in residential concrete foundations, PS3s, light reflectance values for paint, and repairing stucco.

House Condition Survey

The Research Now area of the BRANZ website has a new section on the BRANZ House Condition Survey. Click here to access.

New study reports

Three new study reports and two new external research reports have been published:

• SR429: Testing an evaluation method for structural insulated panels (SIPs)
• SR416: Use of academic research and other sources of knowledge in the NZ housing policy
• SR409: Fire spread from lower roofs project
• ER43: BERL green mortgages
• ER41: Industry perceptions of medium density consenting issues, challenges and suggested solutions.

   

LCAQuick

Version 3.3 is now available. Click here to access.

Changes to Building Code, Standards and legislation

Corrections to 2019 C/AS2 Acceptable Solution

Building Controls Update 254 gives information on several unintentional errors that occurred in C/AS2 that was published on 27 June 2019. The Building System Performance branch is planning to address these issues in the next biannual Building Code update, which will go out for public consultation in February 2020. In the interim, three priority corrections will be made immediately to C/AS2 to coincide with the end of the transition period (31 October 2019). See BC Update 254 for further information.

Building system legislative reform programme - update

The Government has agreed on a number of key area for the building law reforms. These areas are:

• Faster building consents for prefabrication and off-site manufacturing;
• Better information and clear responsibilities for building products; 
• Strengthening CodeMark;
• Reducing the building levy;
• Updating offences and penalties.

The Government is taking a phased approach in order to accelerate the changes that will have immediate benefit. Click here for more information.

MBIE funds over 120 building standards for free download

To remove barriers to achieving compliance in the building system, over 120 building standards are now available for free download. See Building Controls Update 250 for more information. Click here to access the building-related standards with a free download.

Other news and publications 

New medium-density housing information published by MBIE

MBIE has published a new section dealing with medium-density housing (MDH). It provides a starting point for developers, builders and project managers who are interested in getting involved with medium-density housing (MDH), and discusses some of the issues that will need to be considered when planning an MDH project. It also examines the key specialists who will need to be involved to ensure compliance with the Building Code, and provides several case studies.

New determinations

Links to a new set of determinations has been added – 

Links to a new set of determinations have been added - 2019/061 - 2019/070.