Building A-Z
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F
Fines
The Building Act 2004 sets out a range of fines for offences and allows for the use of infringement notices for minor offences. The maximum fine for the worst offence is $200,000. More information.
Fireplace
A space formed by the chimney back, the chimney jambs and the chimney breast in which solid fuel is burned for the purpose of heating the room into which it opens. The relevant performance criteria for fireplaces and chimneys are covered in Building Code clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability and C1 Outbreak of Fire.
Fire safety
The Building Act 2004 has specific requirements relating to fire safety. The relevant clause of the Building Code is Clause C Fire Safety. See also the International Fire Engineering Guidelines. There have been a number of determinations relating to fire safety that you can view using the determinations search feature.
Fire separation
Any building element that separates firecells, or firecells and safe paths, and provides a specific fire resistance rating. Fire separations are included on the list of specified systems in the Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use, Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005. See also fire safety above.
Flashing
A building element used on a joint between two materials designed to catch and drain rainwater to prevent it penetrating the interior. For example, sheet metal shaped and attached to a roof or window for weatherproofing. Inadequate flashings have been linked to problems with Weathertightness. Prescriptive requirements for flashings are given in the Compliance Document E2 External Moisture.
Floor/flooring
A floor is generally the lower horizontal surface of a room and flooring is generally the building material used in laying floors. Clauses of the Building Code relating to floors and flooring include B1 Structure, B2 Durability, E3 Internal Moisture, D1 Access and F2 Hazardous Building Materials.
Forms
The Building Act 2004 provides for a number of forms to be set out in the Building Regulations, mainly for use by territorial authorities in administering building consents, code compliance certificates and other processes. These are available on the Forms section.
Foundations
The substructure that supports a building, such as piles, piers or footings, with the purpose of transmitting structural loads from the building into the earth. The Building Code clauses relating to foundations include B1 Structure, B2 Durability and F1 Hazardous Agents Onsite.
Frame/framing
The skeletal framework of a building to which roofs, floors and cladding are attached. Usually constructed of wood or steel, the components of the frame include studs, beams, joists and rafters. Building Code clauses relating to framing include B1 Structure, B2 Durability, E2 External Moisture, and E3 Internal Moisture. Inadequate treatment of wooden framing has been linked to problems with weathertightness. For more information about timber treatment, including notes for builders, see the treated timber section.
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