| Acceptable Solutions |
Examples of materials, components and construction methods which, if used, will comply with the Building Code. They are one way, but not the only way, of complying with the Code. |
| Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 |
The Acceptable Solution for Building Code Clause E2 External Moisture. |
| Active defects and Inactive defects |
'Active' defects are weathertightness defects that have caused, or contributed towards, moisture penetration - in contrast with 'inactive' weathertightness defects that may allow future moisture penetration. |
| Alternative solution |
A way of complying with the objectives and functional requirements of the Building Code that does not use the prescribed methods shown within the Compliance Documents. When proposing alternative solutions, designers must demonstrate compliance to the BCA. |
| Building Consent Authority (BCA) |
A BCA can be an organisation, such as a territorial authority or a private body, that is accredited to carry out certain building control functions as defined in the Building Act 2004. |
| Building envelope |
The outer structure of a building (including the floor if over a subfloor space), which is covered with wall and roof claddings. |
| Compliance Documents |
Documents (formerly known as Approved Documents) that set out prescribed methods of complying with specific clauses of the Building Code. The Compliance Documents contain Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods and reference New Zealand and international standards. Though optional, Compliance Documents are commonly followed in domestic building projects because they provide straightforward paths for building. |
| Consultant |
The person undertaking the remediation design and oversight of subsequent repair work. |
| Control |
A measurement from an area (where the underlying condition is known), which is set up as a reference point against which other measurements may be compared. |
| Cut-out |
The removal of a small section of cladding to allow inspection of the underlying construction (including moisture and decay testing of samples of framing timber if appropriate). |
| Decay |
Various fungal diseases (caused by a number of fungi) that become established within building timbers when moisture levels are elevated above certain levels. |
| Defect |
A particular detail or location that is either causing or contributing towards moisture penetration at present, or may do so in the future. |
| Department |
The Department of Building and Housing. |
| Destructive |
Testing or sampling that involves removal of sections of cladding to examine underlying construction or to extract samples for laboratory analysis. |
| Detailed diagnosis |
A detailed survey and investigation of a building, resulting in the assessment of likely damage and necessary repairs. |
| Determination (and weathertightness Determination) |
A binding decision made by the Department, which provides a way of solving disputes or questions about the rules that apply to buildings. Within this guide, the term is used to describe determining matters about weathertightness and durability, and usually includes general evaluations of the buildings concerned. |
| Direct-fixed cladding |
A cladding that is fixed directly through the building wrap to the exterior wall framing (without a drained cavity). |
| Drained cavity |
Cavity behind a wall cladding - as defined in E2/AS1 (refer to Acceptable Solution E2/AS1). |
| General evaluation |
A limited scope survey, where a building is assessed at a less detailed level than would apply to a detailed diagnosis (such as for a pre-purchase report or for a Departmental determination on Code compliance). |
| Invasive testing |
Testing that involves drilling into the wall to measure the moisture content within the framing (in contrast to non-invasive testing that uses surface measurement). |
| Iterative process |
The process of revisiting, adding to and reassessing earlier work - based on developing knowledge. |
| Monolithic claddings |
Wall cladding systems that are flush-finished and rely on protective coatings for weatherproofing (for example, stucco, EIFS and flush-finished fibre cement sheet). |
| Moulds and fungi |
Moulds are a type of fungi, which are simple microscopic organisms that release spores able to be inhaled. |
| NZBC |
New Zealand Building Code. |
| Outline scope of work |
The early recommendations for repair arising out of the diagnosis stage of remediation. |
| Remediation |
The work required in order to achieve an adequately weathertight and durable building. |
| Remediation strategy |
The course of action chosen to undertake remediation work. |
| Risk matrix |
A table from E2/AS1 used to determine levels of weathertightness risk applying to a building design. |
| Samples or sampling |
Materials removed from a building (such as timber, building wrap, linings, carpet) that will be sent away for laboratory testing. |
| Sketch design |
Early design stage during which options are explored and changes may be easily made. |
| Stachybotrys atra |
A toxigenic mould that has been implicated in health risks for some people who come in contact with it. |
| Working drawings |
Detailed design stage based on the chosen remediation strategy. |