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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Design loads on decks

By Alide Elkink 1 December 2006, Build 97

NZS 3604 provides design parameters for deck design for 2.0 kPa floor loadings. However, the designer must consider the load that a deck or balcony may potentially carry and, if it is likely to exceed this loading, the design parameters should be increased accordingly.

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Lintels

By Roger Shelton 1 October 2007, Build 102

When I began my engineering career, an old builder told me that the rule for lintels was ¾ inch depth per foot of span. Things have changed a bit since then…

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Wind pressure 101

By Roger Shelton 1 October 2009, Build 114

You could be forgiven for getting the wind up about wind speeds, pressures and zones, but don’t worry. Here, we go back to basics to explain how they relate to one another.

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Loaded dimension – a guide

By Roger Shelton 1 November 2000, Build 61

Numerous calls to the BRANZ Helpline indicate that many in the industry are having trouble with the ‘loaded dimension’ concept in NZS 3604:1999 Timber framed buildings. This article offers a visual explanation.

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