Technical guidance
On this page
Guidance developed by the Ministry
The Ministry publishes Technical Guidance documents, to help building practitioners, building officials and industry consider a wider range of options for complying with the Building Code than those provided by Compliance Documents. Technical Guidance documents promote a consistent approach to establishing compliance. Guidance that was developed by the Department of Building and Housing (now part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) is also listed below.
Building in the Canterbury Green Zone: Two quick guides for builders
These guides give a quick overview of requirements for building in the Canterbury Green Zone. They briefly outline regulatory requirements and highlight special issues.
Read the quick guides
Guidelines for the investigation and assessment of subdivisions on the flat in Canterbury - Amended September 2012
These guidelines are for the investigation and assessment of subdivisions in the Canterbury region. They list documents that give guidance on the requirements for geotechnical investigations for subdivisions and on the assessment of liquefaction risk. They summarise the minimum requirements for assessing liquefaction for land development in Canterbury.
Guidance to assist the development of temporary accommodation to house workers in greater Christchurch [PDF 792 KB, 40 pages] - September 2012
The guidance assists the design and construction of temporary worker accommodation in the context of the greater Christchurch rebuild.
Transitional Arrangements for Internal Surface Finish Requirements for Building Code Clauses Protection from Fire - September 2012
The guidance explains how to comply with the new test methods for verifying internal surface finishes specified in the revised Building Code clauses C1-C6, Protection from Fire (2012). This guidance applies between 10 April 2012 and 9 April 2013. This allows time for manufacturers and suppliers of lining and surface finishing products to update their product data using the new test methods.
Site Applied Timber Treatment: Summary of research carried out by Scion for the Department of Building and Housing [PDF 1.21 MB, 27 pages] - June 2012
The Department of Building and Housing (now part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) commissioned Scion to carry out research into the efficacy of two site applied brush on preservative treatments for timber. The research involved:
- Testing the effectiveness of boron glycol and copper naphthenate applied on 1, 2, 3 and 4 faces of timber infected with two types of decay
- Investigating a technique to get preservative to hidden surfaces between adjacent timber members
This report summarises the testing methodology and the results to date.
Guidance on reinforcement for concrete slabs-on-ground - Amended April 2012
Guidance on a satisfactory solution option for the reinforcing steel mesh specified in the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1.
Guidance on Barrier Design - November 2011
Guidance information on how to achieve the relevant Building Code performance criteria for barriers. It provides recommendations for the design and construction of permanent barriers that are required in and around buildings.
Guidance on repairing and rebuilding houses affected by the Canterbury earthquake sequence [PDF 2.24 MB, 140 pages] - Revised November 2011
Geotechnical and structural engineering recommendations to guide house repairs and reconstruction for houses affected by the Canterbury earthquake sequence.
Guidelines for Documenting Fire Safety Designs - September 2011
This guidance is about how fire design should be communicated and documented, including evidence of design methodology. Good quality design documentation makes building consent processes easier for both designers and Building Consent Authorities.
Immediate changes to seismicity and foundation details for Christchurch - Amended August 2011
Information on increasing the seismic hazard factor for Canterbury and requiring stronger foundations for buildings through immediate changes to the Building Code Structure documents. The main topics it covers are:
- Changes to Structure verification method B1/VM1
- Changes to Structure Acceptable Solutions B1/AS1 and B1/AS3
Guidance on Building Code compliance for retrofitting insulation in external walls - August 2011
Guidance on Building Code and Building Act 2004 requirements relating to retrofitting insulation in exterior walls. It explains why a building consent is required, how to show work complies with the Building Act and Building Code and the risks with retrofitting wall insulation.
Guidance on using NZS3604 construction on ground with potential for liquefaction, outside Canterbury region - August 2011
Guidance information for those building outside Canterbury to NZS 3604:2011 construction where there may be potential for liquefiable soils, and who may choose to use foundation details even more robust than those provided by the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1.
A quick guide to timber treatment for enclosed framing - Pink is Tough - April 2011
Timber treatment in Acceptable Solution B2/AS1 has changed to a new, simpler system. The timber treatment hazard class H1.2 is now required for radiata pine and Douglas fir timber in buildings, where it is protected from the weather (ie, enclosed timber framing).
Using the Product Assurance Framework to support Building Code compliance. A guide for manufacturers and suppliers of building products - April 2010
Manufacturers and suppliers of building products are assisted by a clear system to demonstrate that their products are fit for purpose in New Zealand conditions.
Download the Solar Water Heating Guidance Document (for installers, suppliers and building consent authorities) [PDF 1.29 MB, 38 pages] - December 2009
This Guidance is intended to be read in conjunction with Acceptable Solution G12/AS2.
Guidelines for energy efficient HVAC plant - January 2009
Provides guidance on the appropriate energy efficiency measures for HVAC systems in commercial buildings.
Guidance for non load–bearing issues- December 2008
This document provides guidance for building consent authorities (BCAs) on how to check whether appropriate timber has been used in buildings for compliance with Building Code Clause B1 Structure.
Quick guide - Building code requirements: house insulation - October 2008
Simple ways to comply with house insulation requirements in the Building Code.
Guidance for complying with new energy efficiency requirements for houses in Northland - October 2008
Guidance information on how new houses in Northland can comply with the energy efficiency provisions of thee building code. In particular, it highlights that new houses may not require double glazing when the BPI (Building Performance Index) is used to show compliance with NZBC clause H1
Back to top
Practice Advisories
Practice advisories are published under section 175 of the Building Act 2004.
Back to top
Industry Codes of Practice
The Ministry also encourages industry groups to create their own guidance and codes of practice for the use of their products, to complement the Ministry’s Compliance Documents. Below are some examples developed by industry:
Code of practice for Weathertight concrete and concrete masonry construction
- August 2011
The Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ) Code of Practice provides weathertightness solutions for concrete and concrete masonry buildings. The Building Code clause External Moisture, has an Acceptable Solution (E2/AS3) that references this Code of Practice.
Code of practice for torch-on membranes systems for roofs and desks - October 2008
The Code of Practice presents guidance for the selection, design and installation of modified reinforced bituminous materials.
The New Zealand metal roof and wall cladding code of practice - April 2008
The Code of Practice presents guidance on the selection, design and installation of metal roofing and wall cladding systems.
Back to top