Key findings of the review

9 - Compliance schedules and the building warrant of fitness regime

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Council's compliance schedule and building warrant of fitness (BWOF) regimes.

Background

Sections 100 to 111 of the Building Act 2004 set out the particular responsibilities for owners of commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and for territorial authorities and building consent authorities. Buildings containing certain specified systems such as fire alarms and lifts require such systems to be listed on a compliance schedule. The owner must ensure continued effective operation of those systems and demonstrate it by displaying a current building warrant of fitness in their building.

Initial review

The Council had a system for processing compliance schedules. However, no formal policy or procedure existed. It was also found that certifier applications were not being consistently checked to identify if a compliance schedule was required.

Recommendations to and actions taken by the Council

Recommendations made to the Council	Action taken by the Council before the follow-up review
Ensure full details relating to compliance schedule features are provided at the time of consent lodgement.	The Council made some improvements to its lodgement and vetting processes.
Document its compliance schedule and building warrant of fitness policy and procedures.	The Council had begun documenting its compliance schedule and building warrant of fitness policy and procedures.

Follow-up review

The Department found that the Council had partially implemented the initial review's recommendation to document its compliance schedule and building warrant of fitness policy and procedures. The Council had contacted building owners who had not supplied sufficient building warrant of fitness documentation and vetting officers were required to check that the section on Form 2 (relating to specified systems) was completed at the time of application lodgement. The Council's building consent application guide requests applicants provide information on compliance schedules so the Council vetting officer can check this.

Recommendations to and response from the Council

Recommendations to the Council	Response from the Council
Ensure the compliance schedule and building warrant of fitness policy and procedure is fully documented.	The Council advised that policies and procedures have been developed as part of its preparations to become accredited as a building consent authority.
Provide training in the use of the new system to all BWoF staff.	The Council advised it has adopted formal policies and procedures on training as part of its preparations to be accredited as a building consent authority.

Conclusion

The Council partially implemented the Department's recommendations. The Council advised that additional work has been undertaken as part of its preparation for accreditation as a building consent authority. However, because this occurred after the follow-up review visit, the Department did not assess such work.