Page 15 - Build 161

News
Subcontractors
urge reform
The Specialist Trade Contractors Federation (STCF), which represents the majority of subcontractors across New Zealand, is concerned about the current standards process.
STCF SAYS problems have become acute since Standards was incorporated into the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) last year.
‘There appears to be inadequate funding to match the demand of any industry in the construction sector.
‘We are genuinely concerned that the standards process is slanted to re ect the interests of those who can meet the funding requirements to meet the costs of Standards New Zealand. There is also poor communication between Standards NZ, MBIE and the industry stakeholders such as STCF.
‘Although we support joint standards with Australia, the reality is these standards are now dominated by Australia’s timetable, view and directions.’
Robust standards needed
‘The recent problems associated with poor-quality exible braided hoses underlines the importance of a robust standards system. These braided hoses are not the only sub-standard products being used in New Zealand homes so we need a t-for-purpose standards system, which meets the needs of the industry and the country.’
STCF’s members account for more than 60% of construction activity in New Zealand and cover a diverse range of services including plumbing, sca olding, electrical and precast concrete.
‘Our industry recognises the importance of strong current standards and the role of Standards New Zealand in ensuring the integrity of products, infrastructure and services and public con dence in the sector,’ Graham Burke said.
What’s new?
Load paths
BUILDINGS MUST be designed to with- stand a variety of loads from:
● the weight of the building elements, materials, xtures and permanently attached equipment
● people, furniture and movable equip- ment stored in the building
● external forces acting on the building such as wind, earthquake and snow.
The loads must be transferred through the building structure and its xings to the foundations and into the ground. The routes by which the loads are transferred are called load paths.
Bulletin 612 Load paths describes:
● the loads imposed on buildings
● the load paths through buildings
● the direction a load may be acting in ● design requirements for load paths.
Details Available for $13.50 from the BRANZ Shop at www.branz.co.nz or call 0800 80 80 85.
A New Zealand first
Ngai Tuhoe’s headquarters in Taneatua has become the first New Zealand building and only the 14th building in the world certified in the Living Building Challenge.
TÜHOE TE Uru Taumatua Chief Executive Kirsti Luke accepted the highest global no- impact accolade at the Challenge’s annual conference in Seattle, Washington.
Marko den Breems, the managing principal of architects Jasmax, says the award is also a tribute to the lead architect, Jasmax founder, the late Ivan Mercep.
The challenge requires buildings to be tested after at least a year of operation
to con rm actual rather than theoretical performance.
The building, made with locally generated sustainable materials, generates all of its own power and collects and treats its own water for public use.
Living Building Challenge courses
Interactive professional practice short courses on the Living Building Challenge
and integrated design process will be held in Christchurch and Auckland in August. They are aimed at those wanting to transform their practice of sustainable construction.
Students will be able to apply their learning on real projects with six biweekly seminars over 2 months.
For more Visit www.op.ac.nz/studyf/ sustainable-practice/creating-living-built- environments.
Build 161 — August/September 2017 — 13