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Download the National Multiple-Use Approvals: Guidance for Building Consent Authorities [PDF 388 KB, 16 pages]

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Published in April 2012
ISBN: 978-0-478-38199-3 (web)

National Multiple-Use Approvals: Guidance for Building Consent Authorities

Contents

Introduction
Eligibility and fees
What must be included in a building consent application that relies on a MultiProof?
MultiProofs and Restricted Building Work
What should a BCA do when it receives a building consent application that relies on a MultiProof?
What if the applicant wishes to deviate from the approved building plans and specifications at the building consent stage?
What happens once the building consent has been issued and building work has begun?
How should BCAs handle amendments to a building consent based on a MultiProof once building work has begun?
What is the BCA’s responsibility in dealing with MultiProofs?
What if there is a dispute between the BCA and the applicant?
Additional questions and answers
Further information

Introduction

Purpose

This document provides guidance to Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) on how to:

process building consent applications that rely on a MultiProof (also known as a National Multiple-Use Approval)
undertake inspections of, and issue code compliance certificates for, projects that obtained a building consent using a MultiProof
process amendments to building consents that were issued based on a MultiProof, once building work has begun.

What is a MultiProof?

MultiProofs are issued by the National Multiple-Use Approval Service of the Department of Building and Housing.

A MultiProof is a statement by the Department that a specific set of building plans and specifications complies with the New Zealand Building Code. Under the Building Act 2004, BCAs must accept a MultiProof as evidence of Building Code compliance. Please note that the Building Act uses the term ‘National Multiple Use Approval’ and not ‘MultiProof.

MultiProofs aim to deliver greater certainty of BCA consenting where standardised designs are being replicated several times. They should also lead to faster processing times at the local level, reduced duplication for volume builders, and lower consenting costs.

A MultiProof is not, and does not replace, a building consent. The holder of a MultiProof must obtain a building consent each time they wish to construct the design to which the MultiProof relates. This is to enable the BCA to:

assess the Building Code compliance of site-specific features, such as foundations (if excluded from the MultiProof) and drainage
ensure that every condition attached to the MultiProof is met and that specified conditions match the proposed site (for example, wind or snow loading limitations, or good ground condition)
undertake normal inspections during construction
check that any Restricted Building Work is carried out or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners
issue a code compliance certificate
take enforcement action, if appropriate
retain public records of the building work that has been undertaken.

However, because the BCA only needs to assess the Building Code compliance of site-specific features that are excluded from the MultiProof, the statutory timeframe for the BCA to issue a building consent for applications that rely on a MultiProof is 10 working days (instead of the usual 20).

A MultiProof should be regarded as a tool for demonstrating Building Code compliance, similar to a Compliance Document, but relating to a specific building design.

Details of issued MultiProofs are posted on the Department’s website on a public register. BCAs have password-protected access to copies of approved plans and specifications in a separate section of the website. This is to enable independent comparison of the plans submitted by the building consent applicant to those approved by the Department (if this is desired by the BCA).

The online public register is updated when a MultiProof is issued, suspended or revoked. BCAs may rely on the register for establishing the validity of approvals.

How and why were MultiProofs established?

MultiProofs were established as a new concept in the Building Act 2004 by the Building Amendment Act 2009. In the Act MultiProofs are called ‘national multiple-use approvals’. MultiProofs allow builders who replicate the same or substantially similar buildings several times to benefit from a streamlined building consent process.

Where a building design is intended to be replicated several times, a builder can apply to have the design pre-approved for Building Code compliance by the Department of Building and Housing. This avoids the need for the design to be assessed and re-approved by individual BCAs each time it is proposed to be built on a different site. This is intended to bring time and cost savings through more efficient and predictable consent processes.

Eligibility and fees

Who can apply for a MultiProof?

A MultiProof is available to anyone who has the intention and is capable of reproducing the intended design (if approved) at least 10 times in a two-year period. MultiProofs are not available to building consent applicants who wish to engage in one-off projects.

What kinds of buildings are eligible?

MultiProofs are only available for whole buildings, not for building products or systems.

Initially MultiProofs were only available for standalone outbuildings (garages, sheds, farm buildings) and standalone or semi-detached houses of up to two storeys.

In May 2011, the regulations were changed to accommodate a wider range of building designs. There are no longer any restrictions on building type.

How much does a MultiProof cost?

The cost of a MultiProof will depend on the complexity of the design because the Department charges on hourly rates. A well-presented application that clearly demonstrates how compliance will be achieved will take less time to assess and so will incur a lower charge.

What must be included in a building consent application that relies on a MultiProof?

A building consent application must be lodged with the relevant BCA each time a MultiProof holder wishes to build a MultiProof approved design.

A building consent application that relies on a MultiProof needs to include:

the BCA’s normal building consent application form (including a statement of the project value for the whole project, not just the site-specific portion)
a complete copy of the plans and specifications for which a building consent is being sought (these will be compared to the approved documents on the Department’s online register to ensure the consent application is for the same MultiProof approved design)
full details of any site-specific features proposed for the building (such as a site drainage plan or site-specific foundation details)
Certificates of Design Work for any site-specific design for Restricted Building Work
any technical information, calculations and design producer statements or other evidence needed to establish the Building Code compliance of the building’s site-specific features, if applicable
a statement addressed to the BCA (using the wording supplied to the applicant by the Department) stating that the design for which the building consent is being sought:
- complies with the approval issued by the Department
- meets all the conditions of the MultiProof (such as wind or snow loading restrictions) for the proposed site
a list of all the trade LBPs who will be carrying out or supervising the Restricted Building Work for the project
any applicable consent lodgement fees, as determined by the BCA.

Note that the BCA will have password-protected access to the MultiProof certificates and approved documents on the Department’s online register. Certificates issued prior to 1 March 2012 will not contain any information about Restricted Building Work or Licensed Building Practitioners, while those issued after 1 March 2012 will list the LBPs involved in the design of any RBW.

MultiProofs and Restricted Building Work

Restricted Building Work (RBW) came into effect on 1 March 2012.

MultiProof approved houses and small to medium sized apartment buildings will have to fulfil RBW requirements at both the design and construction stage. The effects of RBW on MultiProofs are summarised below:

After a very careful consideration of the requirements of the Building Act, the Department of Building and Housing have concluded that Memoranda (Certificates of Design Work) for any RBW involved with a MultiProof approved design are not required to be submitted with a building consent application
For MultiProof applications that were received before 1 March 2012, the applicant does not need to supply the Department with Memoranda (Certificates of Design Work)
For MultiProof applications received on or after 1 March 2012, the applicant will need to provide these Memoranda to the Department as part of their MultiProof application. The Department will check that the Design RBW requirements have been met, and will hold the Memoranda with the rest of the application documentation. The MultiProof certificate will list the Design LBPs who were involved in the design of the RBW for that approved design
For applications submitted both before and after 1 March 2012, each time a building consent application that relies on a MultiProof is lodged, the applicant will need to supply the BCA with Memoranda (Certificates of Design) for any RBW related to the site-specific design
The applicant will also need to supply the BCA with a list of the trade LBPs who will carry out or supervise the construction of the RBW (as per a normal building consent application)
Upon completion of construction, and as part of an application for a code compliance certificate, the applicant will also need to provide a Memorandum (Record of Building Work) from each of the trade LBPs involved in the construction of any RBW (as per a normal code compliance certificate process)

If you’d like to know more: about how RBW affects MultiProof approvals and the building consent process for MultiProof approved designs, please contact the Advisor, Client Services by email at multiproof@dbh.govt.nz or by phone on 04 817 4254.

When a BCA receives a building consent application that relies on a MultiProof, it should do the following:

check that the application is complete, based on the list provided on the previous page of this document
ensure that the application is within the terms of the MultiProof and that the approval is current (by checking the public register)
assess the Building Code compliance of any building features not covered by the MultiProof (for example, site-specific features, such as drainage) in the normal way
check that the Memoranda (Certificates of Design Work) for the site-specific Restricted Building Work include all the necessary information
ensure that the proposed site meets all approval conditions (such as wind or climate zone limitations)
ensure any other approval conditions are met
provided all the above requirements have been met, issue the building consent within 10 working days
advise the applicant, in the building consent, of inspection requirements and any documentation that must be supplied before the code compliance certificate will be issued, such as an energy work certificate and Memoranda (Records of Building Work) from the trade LBPs involved in the construction of Restricted Building Work

The BCA does not need to:

establish the Building Code compliance of building features covered by the MultiProof
undertake extensive comparison between the approved plans and specifications provided by the applicant and those published independently on the Department’s website.

What if the applicant wishes to deviate from the approved building plans and specifications at the building consent stage?

MultiProof status only applies to plans and specifications (including any customisations) that the Department has specifically approved.

As part of applying to the Department for a MultiProof, applicants will be invited to identify any customisations that they may wish to use. These are likely to be based on the applicant’s knowledge of those customisations that their customers most commonly request, and might include different roofing or cladding options, roof structures, window and door placements etc. The approved customisations will be listed on the certificate, so you will easily be able to see what has been included in the approval.

If the building consent applicant wishes to depart from the plans and specification in a way that was not specifically approved by the Department, then the applicant can no longer rely on the MultiProof, and the BCA should process the building consent application in the normal way¹. A 20 working day timeline will apply.

The Department will encourage approval holders to provide a statement to the BCA with each building consent application indicating that what they intend to build matches the Department-approved plans and specifications. This will allow the BCA to establish more easily that the plans and specifications have not been modified in a way that invalidates the MultiProof..

What happens once the building consent has been issued and work has begun?

When the building consent has been issued and work has begun, the BCA fulfils its normal functions under the Building Act 2004. These include:

ensuring that the building work complies with the building consent
undertaking any inspections necessary to be satisfied the work is being carried out in accordance with the building consent
assessing and, if appropriate, approving any proposed amendments to the building consent, including material substitutions and design changes
reminding the building consent applicant that when they apply for a code compliance certificate, they will need to submit Memoranda (Records of Building Work) from the trade LBPs involved in the construction of Restricted Building Work
issuing a code compliance certificate, when satisfied the Building Code compliance has been achieved
if appropriate, taking enforcement action
provide feedback to the Department if non-compliant details have been included in the MultiProof.

How should BCAs handle amendments to building consents based on a MultiProof, once building work has begun?

Where the applicant wishes to make an amendment to the building consent issued based on a MultiProof (for example, a material substitution or a design change), the BCA will need to assess the proposed change in the same way as it would for any consented work.

What is the BCA’s responsibility in dealing with MultiProofs?

In simple terms, the BCA is not responsible for:

checking the Building Code compliance of those parts of the design approved by the Department

The BCA is responsible for:

being reasonably satisfied that the building consent application complies with the relevant MultiProof (including through the statement supplied by the applicant)
ensuring that every condition attached to the MultiProof is met and that specified conditions match the proposed site (for example, wind or snow loading limitations, or good ground condition)
assessing the Building Code compliance of any site-specific features that have not been approved by the Department (for example, foundations or site drainage)
ensuring that the building work is carried out in accordance with the building consent
assessing and approving any amendments sought by the applicant once building work has begun
issuing a code compliance certificate, once satisfied compliance has been achieved
informing the Department of any non-compliances contained in the MultiProof
keeping all necessary records and information.

What if there is a dispute between the BCA and the applicant?

If there is a dispute with the applicant at the building consent stage or after work has begun, the BCA should contact the Department’s National Multiple-Use Approval team for clarification in the first instance by calling 04 817 4254 or emailing multiproof@dbh.govt.nz.

Any matters that cannot be resolved informally may be brought to the Department for a determination using established processes (where the matter is determinable under the Building Act 2004).

Additional questions and answers

How do BCAs independently access all approved plans and specifications?

BCAs can access a password-protected section of the Department’s website that contains the full plans and specifications for each MultiProof issued, including customisations (plan variants). Contact the Department for details about accessing this resource.

What should the BCA do if it notices a detail in a MultiProof that raises concerns over Building Code compliance?

The BCA should discuss its concerns with the Department immediately by contacting the National Multiple-Use Approval team on 04 817 4254 or by email at multiproof@dbh.govt.nz.

What is the impact of a MultiProof on planning (Resource Management Act) requirements?

These are unaffected.

What happens if the building consent application includes more than one building and only one of them is covered by a MultiProof?

The BCA should rely on the approval as far as possible and assess the Building Code compliance of the other building/s in the normal way. Applicants who want to benefit from the 10-day processing timeframe may wish to present the building consent application in separate parts.

How long is a MultiProof valid?

Approvals are valid indefinitely.

What happens to a MultiProof if the Building Code changes in a way that materially affects compliance, or if a product used in an approval becomes banned?

The Department has the authority to suspend or revoke an approval should either of these two situations occur. Further guidance for BCAs would be issued concerning any projects in progress at the time.

An amendment to an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method does not invalidate a MultiProof approval. For example, recent changes to B1/AS1 (effective 1 February 2012) and the introduction of NZS 3604:2011 will not have an effect on designs that were MultiProof approved before that date. Designs are assessed against the Building Code itself, not the acceptable solutions or standards. The BCA is required, under Section 19(1)(ca) of the Building Act, to accept the MultiProof approval as evidence of Building Code compliance, and the approval remains valid unless the Department revokes the approval.

The status of approvals can be obtained from the public register.

What standard of documentation does the Department seek from applicants for a MultiProof?

The Department seeks all necessary documentation to be satisfied about the compliance of the design with the Building Code. The documentation provided by the applicant to the Department will be sufficient to allow the BCA to rely on MultiProof in assessing a building consent application. However, BCAs will require further documentation to assess Code compliance of site-specific matters.

Further information

For further information on MultiProofs, please contact the National Multiple-Use Approvals team on 04 817 4254 or by email on multiproof@dbh.govt.nz.

Guidance for applicants, the application form and the public register of approvals are available at www.dbh.govt.nz/multiproof.

1. The Department can define “minor customisations” in regulations that may be made to MultiProof approved plans and specifications when incorporating those plans and specifications into a building consent application. No regulations have been made to date.