Compliance Documents and weathertightness

The Department of Building and Housing issues Compliance Documents (previously known as Approved Documents) containing Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods.

An Acceptable Solution is a prescriptive design solution, comprising simple step-by-step instructions that provide an approved way of complying with the Building Code and often quote other documents such as New Zealand Standards. If an Acceptable Solution is accurately followed, a building consent authority must accept that compliance with the Building Code has been achieved.

A Verification Method is a prescriptive design solution, comprising a calculation or test procedure, which provides an approved way of complying with the Building Code and often quotes other documents such as New Zealand Standards.

The Compliance Documents are not mandatory, and following them is only one way of complying with the Building Code. Designers are not obliged to use them and may put forward their own alternative solution proposal.

Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 for Clause E2 External Moisture

Changes to the weathertightness Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 for Clause E2 External Moisture of the Building Code became effective on 1 July 2005.

Download the amended E2 Compliance Document in PDF.  Alternatively, it can be purchased in several formats from Victoria University Bookcentre (phone 0800 370 370).

For building work started before 1 April 2005, the Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 (second edition, amendment 5, dated 9 February 2004) will apply for that building that was designed in accordance with the Acceptable Solution. Designs beyond the scope of the Acceptable Solution must be considered as alternative proposals on their individual merits. See BIA Update No. 42 for more information on the implementation of this Acceptable Solution.

Projects consented after 31 March 2005 will have their code compliance certificates assessed against their building consents.

To support the risk management-based approach that underpins the E2 Compliance Document, the Department has developed a risk matrix guidance document – External moisture – a guide to using the risk matrix [PDF 1.8 MB, 56 pages]. This document will be of particular interest to and provide guidance for those involved in building design and weathertightness compliance. See The 4Ds of weathertightness design for more information.

Acceptable Solution B2/AS1 for Clause B2 Durability

The existing Acceptable Solution B2/AS1 remains in force for building work started before 1 April 2005 that was designed in accordance with the Acceptable Solution. Designs beyond the scope of the Acceptable Solution must be considered as alternative solution proposals on their individual merits.

See BIA Update No. 42 for more information on the implementation of this Acceptable Solution.