HOT Topics Flashcards
What changed re Retentions in October 2023?
This is to do with the relationship between the head contractor and subbie.
Purpose:
The Amendment Act strengthens the retention money regime by making it easier for subcontractors to access retention money without a court order, in the event of a head contractor’s insolvency.
Many head contractors are already doing the right thing and are holding retention money aside appropriately. For these people, the Amendment Act will result in very little change.
The new requirements for withholding retention money include:
- clarifying that retention money is automatically held on trust by the head contractor once the contract allows it to be withheld from the subcontractor
- removing the ability to mix retention money with other cashflow and assets
- requiring that retention money held as cash must also be held separately in a bank account with prescribed ledger accounts.
The Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act 2023 (the Amendment Act)
What is changing regarding the temperature of water in homes?
MBIE has amended Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to lower the maximum hot water temperature delivered at the tap for most buildings from 55°C to 50°C.
Where can you find news and updates on Building Code?
The Building Performance Website
https://www.building.govt.nz/about-building-performance/all-news-and-updates/updates-to-the-building-code-have-been-published/
What is the major focus of the Building Amendment Act 2013?
Consumer rights and remedies in relation to residential work.
What information must a Building Contractor disclose before entering a residential building contract?
The Building Contractor must provide the following details:
- Name, legal status (company), and contact information.
- Details of key personnel, including qualifications.
- Names of Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) on-site.
- Role and business history of directors.
- Contractor’s dispute history.
- Information on insurance coverage.
- Guarantees offered.
What is the purpose of the ‘Checklist’ in the building contract process?
The ‘Checklist’ is a standard form from MBIE that guides clients on considerations when engaging builders. It ensures clients are informed and make well-thought-out decisions.
Is a written building contract required for residential work exceeding $30,000?
Yes, a written building contract is mandatory for projects over $30,000, including GST. Recommended contracts include NZIA SCC 2014 or National Building Contract 2015, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
What post-build information must the builder provide at the end of the project?
At the end of the build the builder must provide a schedule and other information setting out the building’s maintenance requirements.
Give a summary of the new Plan Change 78
Answer
What is the EQC?
Earthquake Commision
What is EQCover?
EQCover is the name of EQC’s earthquake and natural disaster insurance for dwellings, personal property, and land.
Most people automatically have EQCover for your home and land if you have a current Home insurance policy.
What are the risks for Architects when working on an EQC project?
Fee issues Ensure the fees being offered are adequate for the services being provided and the associated risks. Time to consult may be consideratble.
Insurance issues Issues relating to uninsured work may arise on many earthquake remediation projects. It is not uncommon that damage which architects consider to be earthquake related is considered to be pre-existing damage by the insurer or PMO. If there are issues around uninsured work, Architects should insist on a clear scope of works from the homeowner, insurer, and PMO. Architects should also make sure it is clear who the Architect is contracting with/who is responsible for paying the Architect’s account.
Record issues. Records are rare and hence there is risk. Ensure records of the damage and non-consented repair work are sent for attachment to the Council property file.
Building consent issues Most of this type of work is tpycially unconsented. Repair work should be consented (unless it is Exempt Work under Schedule 1). Architects should ensure that their documentation requires that the repair is compliant with the Building Code and the Building Consent.
Conditions of Contract Issues. The member should not sign any NZIA AAS SF or NZIA AAS agreements where changes have been made to the general/special terms unless the change has been approved by NZIA
What building code updates occured in 2018?
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Building Code Updates: Key Changes
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B1 Structure (B1/VM1):
- References new standards for composite steel-concrete structures and durability requirements for steel structures.
- Expands design options for composite structures and specifies corrosion protection systems.
- Now includes the latest wind loading standard.
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B2 Durability (B2/AS1):
- Adds durability requirements for steel structures, eliminating the need for Alternative Solution proposals.
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E2 External Moisture (E2/VM1, E2/AS1):
- changes to details regarding extra high wind zones. Clarifies testing requirements for cladding weathertightness.
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G12 Water Supplies (G12/VM1, G12/AS1, G12/AS2):
- References amended standards for jointing common stainless steel pipework, eliminating Alternative Solution proposals.
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G13 Foul Water (G13/AS1, G13/VM2, G13/AS2, G13/AS3):
- References an amended standard for testing drains and vacuum drainage systems, removing the need for Alternative Solution proposals.
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Simple House Acceptable Solution (SH/AS1):
- Proposal to revoke SH/AS1; foundation design info to transfer to B1/AS1 in the biannual update program.
- Revocation planned post-transfer completion.
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B1 Structure (B1/VM1):
What building code updates occured in 2019?
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Building Code Updates: Key Revisions
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Hollow-Core Flooring (B1/VM1):
- Aligns provisions with the Concrete Structures Standard, allowing increased depth and providing more options for building owners.
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Light Steel Framing (B1/VM1, B1/AS1, B2/AS1):
- Standardizes light steel framing as a compliance solution, reducing the need for peer review and ensuring certainty for designers and developers.
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Building Facades Test Method (E2/VM2):
- Introduces a new test method for building facades up to 25 m, confirming weathertightness using the BRANZ Evaluation Method.
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Extractor Fans for Ventilation (G4/AS1):
- Adds extractor fans as a compliant option for ventilating bathrooms and kitchens, facilitating compliance with Healthy Homes Standards.
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Water Supplies and Foul Water (G13/AS1, G13/VM2, G13/AS2, G13/AS3; G12/VM1, G12/AS1, G12/AS2):
- Updates sections to cite the latest joint Australian/New Zealand plumbing and drainage standards, aligning with industry best practice.
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Fire Acceptable Solution (C/AS2):
- Consolidates six separate Fire Acceptable Solution documents into one comprehensive document for clarity, consistency, and coverage. Reduces ambiguity and confusion.
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Hollow-Core Flooring (B1/VM1):
What building code updates occured in 2020?
- Safety from Fire clause cahnges
- providing a new Acceptable Solution for the design and installation of stormwater drainage systems
- E3 introducing a new Acceptable Solution for waterproofing in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries
What building code updates occured in 2021?
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Energy Efficiency for Housing and Small Buildings:
- Revised insulation requirements in H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 aim to reduce heating energy needs by approximately 40%.
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Energy Efficiency for Large Buildings:
- Updated insulation requirements in H1/AS2 and H1/VM2 aim to reduce heating and cooling energy needs by 23% on average for large buildings.
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Energy Efficiency for HVAC Systems in Commercial Buildings:
- New verification method H1/VM3 enhances monitoring and ensures optimal energy use for HVAC systems in commercial buildings.
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Natural Light for Higher-Density Housing:
- New acceptable solutions G7/AS1 and G7/AS2, replacing outdated G7/VM1, ensure adequate daylight in higher-density housing using computer modeling.
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Weathertightness Testing for Higher-Density Housing:
- Revised E2/VM2 allows demonstrating sufficient weathertightness without significant changes to minimum performance requirements.
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Standards Referenced in B1 Structure:
- Referenced new versions of four standards in acceptable solutions and verification methods for B1 Structure.
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Editorial Changes to B1/AS1:
- Made editorial corrections to B1/AS1 without modifications to the proposal.
What building code updates occured in 2022?
Lead in plumbing products - The amended Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to limits the maximum content of any product that contains copper alloys, intended for use in contact with potable water for human consumption.
Water temperatures - MBIE has amended Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to lower the maximum hot water temperature delivered at the tap for most buildings from 55°C to 50°C.
Protection of potable water - The amendment to Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to improve the requirements to protect potable water from backflow contamination. This has a 12-month transition period ending on 1 November 2024.
Plumbing and drainage Standards - MBIE has amended the E1, G12 and G13 acceptable solutions to cite the latest versions of the AS/NZS 3500 standards.
Water supply system components - MBIE has amended Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to improve the requirements for plumbing components in water supply systems. MBIE has also amended Verification Method G12/VM1 to include a new design method to size water pipes.
Protection from fire - The changes to Acceptable Solution C/AS1 require interconnected smoke alarms as the minimum fire safety system required in each household unit.
Structural stability of hollow-core floors - MBIE has removed the deemed to comply pathway in B1/VM1 for the design of the supports for hollow-core floor systems.
What building code updates occured in 2023?
Protection from Fire:
design of sprinkler systems
fire alarm systems
interconnected smoke alarms
smoke control in air-handling systems.
Plumbing and Drainage
Temperature of Water
AS/NZS 3500 being included as a compliance pathway
Energy Efficiency:
Transition period for staged H1 requirements now ended.
Structure:
Hollow-core floors
hat is changing in Building Code clause E3 Internal moisture regarding the use of timber or timber-based products in wet area flooring?
From 4 November 2021, there will no longer be an Acceptable Solution for using timber or timber-based products as linings and finishes to floors in wet areas.
How many wet area flooring options are listed in E3/AS1 Amendment 6, and what are they?
There are six wet area flooring options in E3/AS1 Amendment 6: waterproof sheet materials, ceramic or stone tiles, concrete, cork, monolithic coatings, and timber or timber-based products sealed with waterproof coatings.
What type of flooring was removed as an option in E3/AS1 Amendment 7, and why is it considered contentious?
In E3/AS1 Amendment 7, the option for timber or timber-based products as wet area flooring was removed. This is considered contentious due to the broad prescription, leading to potential poor performance.
Should you use Alternative Solutions for wet area flooring?
Presenting Alternative Solutions for wet area flooring is encouraged, freeing builders from the constraints of Acceptable Solutions and allowing a broader range of options beyond the three specified in the code.
What are the new R- Values for Residential and Commerical buildings?
Depends on your climate zone
Climate zone 1:
Residential - Housing will require R6.6 roofs and R0.46+ windows, R2.0 walls and R1.5 slab on-grade floors/2.5 for other floors (doubling of roof R values)
Commercial - 3.5 roofs and R2.2 walls with R2.2, windows 0.33
How many climate zones are there because of the the new H1 requirements?
The changes included an increase to the number of climate zones from three to six
What did the new H1 requirements do for HVAC?
Provided a new compliance pathway for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial buildings
What provisions does the Building Act make for alterations to existing buildings concerning energy efficiency?
Sections 42A and 112 of the Building Act make provisions for alterations to existing buildings, ensuring they comply with the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code to at least the same extent as before the building work began.
When did the new insulation requirements for ‘Buildings under 300m2’ come into effect?
The new requirements for ‘Buildings under 300m2’ came into effect on 3 November 2022.
When did the new insulation requirements for housing come into effect?
The new requirements for housing were delayed by six months and came into effect on 1 May 2023.
Which building element had a two-stage implementation, with the first stage on 3 November 2022 and the second on 2 November 2023?
The ‘windows and doors’ category retained its original two-stage implementation.
Can the previous 4th editions of H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 be used for building consents after the transition?
No, the previous 4th editions of H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 can no longer be used for building consents after the transition to the 5th editions.
How many methods are available within the acceptable solutions and verification methods for H1 Energy Efficiency to comply with minimum R-values for building?
here are three methods available: The Schedule Method, The Calculation Method, and The Modelling Method.
What factors influence the choice of method for compliance with minimum R-values in H1 Energy Efficiency?
The factors include, but are not limited to:
- Whether the building is smaller or larger than 300m2.
- The size of the glazing area of the building.
- The orientation of the building.
Explain The Schedule Method in H1 Energy Efficiency.
This method contains tables of minimum construction R-values for different building elements.
A building complies with The Schedule Method if its thermal envelope components – roof, walls, windows, doors, skylights, and floor – are insulated to meet or exceed R-values specified in the tables
Describe The Calculation Method in H1 Energy Efficiency.
This method includes simple equations and allows a building to have different insulation combinations.
What is The Modelling Method in H1 Energy Efficiency?
The Modelling Method is a compliance method that involves using computer simulation models to assess and predict the energy efficiency of the building, considering various factors like orientation and glazing area.
This method provides the greatest amount of flexibility. It is used to assess the energy performance of a proposed building.
Under what conditions is The Schedule Method recommended for use?
- The glazing area is 30% or less of the total wall area.
- The combined glazing area on the east, south, and west facing walls is 30% or less of the combined total area of these walls.
- The skylight area is no more than 1.5 m2 or 1.5% of the total roof area (whichever is greater).
- The opaque door area is no more than 6 m2 or 6% of the total wall area (whichever is greater).
What is the flexibility provided by The Calculation Method in terms of insulation?
The Calculation Method allows a building to have different insulation combinations as long as the overall thermal performance is comparable to or better than the reference building, insulated according to the Schedule method.
What is the reference building in The Calculation Method?
The reference building in The Calculation Method is insulated in accordance with the Schedule method.
