Codewords

The building controls newsletter of the Department of Building and Housing.

What sort of publication it is: Newsletter
Who it's for: People in the building industry
What it contains: Information and news about New Zealand's building controls. The main topics it covers are:

• news and features about building controls
• new publications
• work in progress on updates to the Building Code and Compliance Documents
• new determinations issued
• training courses and seminars.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it:

• Read it online or download the PDFs of back issues (see below) 
• Subscribe to receive an electronic notification about the latest issue.
• Subscribe to receive a hard copy version of Codewords

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Issue 40 - December 2009

In this issue we cover:

• NMUA to speed up building consents
• 2009 Apprentice of the Year
• Building Act Review under way
• Highlights in a challenging year
• Weathertightness remediation
• Standards referenced in Compliance Documents to be updated
• Evaluating building safety quickly after an emergency
• Installation of fire sprinklers in houses promoted
• Well-sealed shower penetrations prevent water damage
• Maintaining passive fire protection systems
• ECE Centres and Building Code compliance
• Design guidance for barriers
• Determination 2009/60
• Benefits of Technical Reviews
• Learning curve

Alternative format

Download Codewords 40 [PDF 470 KB, 12 pages]
Download Codewords 40 [PDF 641, 12 pages] - print friendly version

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Issue 39 - August 2009

In this issue we cover:

• Faster building consent processes and reduced costs
• New licensing and registration system
• Readers' survey
• Cantilever Roofs - AS/NZS 1170
• Stainless steel fasteners
• Compliance Document B1 Structure correction
• New Compliance Document for backcountry huts
• Determination issued
• Modification of the durability periods
• Standards New Zealand update
• Learning curve

Alternative format

Download Codewords 39 [PDF 342, 12 pages]

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Issue 38 - June 2009

In this issue we cover:

• First roofing licensed building practitioners
• Heat pump water heaters
• House of the Year competition
• External membranes and Building Code compliance
• Determinations issued
• Standards New Zealand update
• Learning curve 
• Reader survey

Alternative format

• Download Codewords 38 [PDF 408 KB, 14 pages]

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Issue 37 - May 2009

In this issue we cover:

• Licensing a 'great idea'
• Apprentice of the year entries now open
• First licensed bricklayer and blocklayer
• Determinations issued
• Building consent needed for wet area showers
• Possible correction Compliance E1
• Hastings' new Plansmart consenting system
• Mixed trends in building activity
• Standards New Zealand update
• Learning curve

Alternative format

• Download Codewords 37 [PDF 373 KB, 16 pages]

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Issue 36 - April 2009

In this issue we cover:

• Winning design to be built in Mangere
• Starter Home Design Competition - the winners
• New Certificate of Accreditation: Hebel Panel Cladding System
• Risk from insulation over downlights
• Determinations issued
• Subscribe to electronic newsletters
• Building work decline in December 2008 quarter
• Building consent not needed for gasfitting
• New from Standards New Zealand
• Learning curve

Alternative format

• Download Codewords 36 [PDF 652 KB, 12 pages]

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Issue 35 - March 2009

In this issue we cover:

• Guidance on garage classification
• Weathertight claims: the 10-year eligibility rule
• Correction: Structural fire endurance (S) ratings for single-storey buildings
• Minimum ground snow loads clarified
• Determinations issued
• Standards New Zealand update
• Learning curve

Alternative format

• Download Codewords 35 [PDF 351 KB, 8 pages]

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Issue 34 - February 2009

In this issue we cover:

• Starter Homes competition initiative welcomed
• Registration ceremony for new consent authorities
• Resource Management Act review under way
• Industry backed investigation into alleged use of non-load bearing timber
• Sustainable Homes winner features quality and innovation
• Independent report examines councils' costs
• Hazardous processes and the storage of hazardous substances
• Specified systems and compliance schedules - requirements for security and gas detection systems
• Change of building use and compliance with fire safety requirements
• Building Code clause H1 energy efficiency amendments
• Building and construction taskforces established
• Standards New Zealand work in progress
• Determinations issued
• Learning curve

Alternative format

• Download Codewords 34 [PDF 487 KB, 16 pages]