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Building controls
Decoding building controls
New Zealand’s building controls framework can appear complex, but it has a simple objective at its core – to ensure buildings are safe and t for purpose.
BY NICK HELM AND AMY HELM, FREELANCE WRITERS, TENPOINT COMMUNICATIONS
NEW ZEALAND’S SYSTEM for building controls is set out in legislation and regulations that determine how building work can be done and who can do it and ensures that checks and balances are in place.
The building control system is perform- ance-based. This means the focus of the system is on how a building must perform in its intended use rather than describing how it must be designed and constructed.
In practice, there are many ways of meeting the performance requirements. The advantage of a performance-based Building Code is the exibility it allows for develop- ment and innovation in building design, technology and systems.
Building controls framework
The three core elements of the New Zealand framework for building controls are:
● theBuildingAct2004
● buildingregulations
● theBuildingCode.
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Building Act 2004
The Building Act governs the building sector in New Zealand. It sets the rules for construction, alteration, demolition and maintenance of new and existing buildings, including the process for building consents.
The purpose of the Building Act is to ensure: ● people can use buildings safely and
withoutendangeringtheirhealth
● buildings have attributes that contribute appropriately to the health, physical independence and wellbeing of people who use them
● peoplewhouseabuildingcanescapefrom the building if it is on re
● buildings are designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainabledevelopment.
FEATURE SECTION