Building Code review

A report on the review of the Building Code is now available.

Why was the Building Code reviewed?

The Building Act 2004 required a review of the current Building Code. This was to ensure that the Building Code:

• meets the requirements, purpose and principles of the Building Act
• is stated in sufficient detail to provide clear guidance on the performance requirements that buildings must achieve
• supports innovation in building systems while also meeting quality standards.  

How was the review done?

The Building Code review took place in stages, in consultation with industry, government and consumer representatives:

• Research into and consultation on content and structure (to mid-2006).
•  Work on and consulting on setting performance requirements (2006-2007).
• Reporting to the Minister with recommendations for changes to the Building Code and decisions by the government (2007-2008).

What has happened since?

In mid-2008 the then government agreed to a staged approach for implementing the recommended changes. The Department started with priority areas of building sector education, fire safety and noise protection. We are now addressing other recommendations as part of our ongoing work programme.

Our response to the specific recommendations of the Building Code Review to date is as follows:

Recommendation	Response
Develop a Compliance Document for modest, simple, affordable housing to reduce costs and encourage the market to supply more simple “starter” homes.	This Compliance Document has been made available to industry. We are now reviewing it to include innovative ideas from the Starter Home Design competition.
Develop a comprehensive sector education programme on the Building Code and its accompanying Compliance Documents, and changes to be made following the Code Review.	The Department has some educational activity underway in partnership with BRANZ and is developing a more comprehensive programme based on tightly-focussed research of sector needs.
Develop a framework for fire safety design to provide a more robust fire engineering design process.	Research on this is progressing and we anticipate being able to release a discussion document in 2010.
Amend Code performance requirements and Compliance Documents for protection against noise to resolve problems in some poor quality, high-density housing.	We have completed the technical work and we are now considering the most appropriate means for moving forward, including guidance material.
Investigate using carbon emissions as a measure of resource efficiency in buildings (ie, for energy, water and construction materials)	We are looking at how to align this with work underway in Australia on life-cycle inventory data
Recommendations on structure (including performance in earthquakes), plumbing and drainage, signs for escape routes, accessibility, interior environment, natural light, and ventilation	We are progressing work in these areas as part of our ongoing work programme, and are likely to give some aspects further consideration in the light of the upcoming review of the Building Act

What happens next?

The ongoing work programme is being reviewed to ensure alignment with the priorities set out by the Minister for Building and Construction, which include streamlining and simplifying building controls to reduce regulatory and compliance costs. Any major changes will also be considered within the review of the Building Act .