Building A-Z

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V

Variation 

A change to the approved plans and specifications for a building project, occurring during construction. A variation requires an amendment to the building consent and needs to be formally advised and justified to the building consent authority, and then checked, approved and recorded by the building consent authority. Homeowners seeking general information about dealing with variations can refer to Building consents and inspections process.

Ventilation 

The process of supplying or removing air by natural or mechanical means to or from any space. The objective of ensuring good ventilation in buildings is to safeguard people from illness or loss of amenity due to lack of fresh air. The Building Code clauses relevant to ventilation include G4 Ventilation, C Fire safety and G13 Foul water (ventilation as part of a plumbing system). Under the Building Act 2004, all buildings other than single residential buildings will require a compliance schedule and annual building warrant of fitness if they contain mechanical ventilation or air-conditioning systems - see information for building owners, managers and developers.

Verification Method 

A prescriptive design solution comprising a calculation or test procedure, which provides an approved way of complying with the Building Code. Verification Methods (along with Acceptable Solutions) are contained in the Ministry's Compliance Documents, and often quote other documents such as New Zealand Standards. Designers are not obliged to use the Verification Methods, and may put forward their own alternative solution proposal.

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