Building A-Z

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M

Manager (building) 

A person who manages buildings to comply with the Building Act 2004, on behalf of the owner(s). Duties include ensuring that inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures are carried out where required by any compliance schedule, and maintaining the building in a safe and sanitary condition. For information about managing compliance with compliance schedules, see information for building owners, managers and developers. For information about people who manage building projects, see project manager.

Matrix 

See risk matrix.

Medium/high density housing 

The concentration of housing units in a specific area or on a specific property. See apartment.

Moderate earthquake 

An earthquake of the same duration but only one-third as strong as an earthquake that must be provided for in the design of a new building (clause 7 of the Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use, and Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005). Earthquake shaking is determined by normal measures of acceleration, velocity and displacement. For further information see earthquake prone buildings.

Moisture

Water in the liquid or vapour phase. Controlling the amount of moisture entering or circulating in buildings is an issue for the weathertightness of buildings, and health and safety of occupants. Building Code clauses relating to controlling moisture in and around buildings include E1 Surface Water, E2 External Moisture, E3 Internal Moisture and G4 Ventilation. For further information about protecting buildings from external moisture, see our weathertightness section See also moulds and fungi.

Monolithic cladding

A cladding of sheet material forming a continuous mass, with an applied coating to give the appearance of a seamless cladding. This type of cladding has sometimes been implicated in issues of weathertightness. See the Monolithic claddings assessment guide for more information about this type of cladding, or the weathertightness section for related information. See also E2 External Moisture to download the Compliance Document relating to cladding and weathertightness.

Moulds and fungi 

Moulds are fungi. Fungi are simple, microscopic organisms that grow in damp conditions, and reproduce and release countless tiny, lightweight spores, which travel through the air and can be inhaled and cause health problems for some people. Excessive internal moisture due to lack of ventilation or leaking of the building can create the right environment for moulds and fungi to grow. For advice about dealing with mould, read the following document on the Ministry’s occupational safety and health website: Risks to Health from Mould and Other Fungi [PDF 37 KB, 4 pages] . See our weathertightness section for related information.

Moving a house 

Transportation of a house or building from one site to another. There are a number of matters to consider including choosing a suitable site, obtaining building consents, having the building transported and placed on new foundations, and carrying out any renovations. This information is available on ConsumerBuild .

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