The Right Stuff

Practical how-to articles for builders and designers showing good industry practice and interpretation of the NZ Building Code and standards.

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Mind the gap

By Alide Elkink 1 February 2014, Build 140

Where is a gap required between building materials and when should any gap be sealed? It’s important to get these correct so we review the requirements in E2/AS1 and elsewhere.

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Sizing rafters

By Tom Edhouse 1 June 2014, Build 142

NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings sets out how to size rafters in table 10.1. The BRANZ technical helpline has received queries on doing this, so let’s step through some examples.

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Is that asbestos?

By Alide Elkink 1 February 2014, Build 140

As demolitions ramp up in Christchurch and Auckland, there will be plenty of situations where asbestos is encountered. The onus is on contractors to check for asbestos and to have a plan in place to deal with it if found.

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External fire spread on houses

By Ed Soja 1 April 2014, Build 141

When residential buildings have a wall less than 1 m (or sometimes 5 m) from the boundary, there are requirements for the boundary walls to have specific fire resistance ratings (FRR) and exterior surface finishes.

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