5 - Assessing alternative solutions

Purpose

To examine how the Council assesses alternative solutions proposed for use in building projects.

Background

Alternative solutions are one way of demonstrating that building work will comply with the Building Code. Building consent authorities can use the known performance of the relevant Acceptable Solution (prescriptive means of compliance) as a benchmark to make their own assessment of whether the performance of the proposed alternative solution is adequate. An alternative solution may involve materials, components or methods that differ from those in a Compliance Document,¹⁴ but still satisfy the performance objectives of the Building Code.

Initial review

The Council did not have a formal policy or procedures for the assessment and acceptance of proposed alternative solutions. There was also no evidence that the Council made any distinction between Acceptable Solutions and alternative solutions when consent applications or site constructions were assessed for compliance.

Recommendations to and action taken by the Council
Recommendations made to the Council	Action taken by the Council before the follow-up review
Develop a policy to define how its technical staff should process proposed alternative solutions, including the requirement to: justify acceptance or rejection of a proposed alternative solution, demonstrating how Code compliance would be achieved clearly document and maintain records of the use and acceptance of alternative solutions.	The Council has adopted the work instructions for alternative solutions developed by the Wellington Cluster Group.

Follow-up review

Despite adopting the work instructions for alternative solutions developed by the Wellington Cluster Group, the Department found that some staff did not appear to be fully aware of when and how to use this procedural document or how to identify and assess an alternative solution. Further work was required to strengthen its procedures for assessing alternative solutions and ensure staff are fully aware of how to identify and assess an alternative solution.

The Department reiterated the recommendations made in the Council's initial review.

Recommendations to and response from the Council
Recommendations made to the Council	Response from the Council
The review team recommends that the Council adopt a consistent policy and procedures for identifying and assessing alternative solutions and train staff in its use. This policy should include the requirement to: clearly document and maintain records of the use and acceptance of alternative solutions justify acceptance or rejection of a proposed alternative solution, demonstrating how Code compliance will be achieved.	The Council advised that this recommendation is addressed through the new Policy and Procedures Manual. Checklists and work instructions, together with quality management processes and auditing, will ensure consistency of approach. Training in the use of the new manual will follow its implementation.

Conclusion

The Council has partially implemented the recommendations. It also advises that it has progressed work as part of its preparations for accreditation as a building consent authority. However, because this occurred after the follow-up review visit, the Department did not assess such work. The Department considers that the Council must now closely support and monitor the implementation of the new alternative solutions policy to ensure its consistent and appropriate use.