Standards New Zealand work in progress

Standards New Zealand (SNZ), the national standards body, provides an update on the progress of building related standards. 

Public comment

A revision of a fire Standard, Hand operated fire fighting equipment (NZS 4503), was available for public comment until 2 February 2005. The revision is being made to take into account new information from many international sources including Australia. The current Standard is cited in the Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 1982, and it is intended that this citation will continue.

Under development

A revision of the automatic fire sprinkler systems Standard (NZS 4541: 2003) has begun. The committee has met once, and agreed the way forward. A total of six working groups will be responsible for reviewing the content of the Standard in full. Amongst other things, the revision will incorporate relevant new research and technology as well as revised Acceptable Solutions and Building Code requirements. The Standard will apply to all automatic fire sprinkler systems installed in firecells or complete buildings or groups of buildings. The public comment period is expected to start in August 2005.

The revised concrete structures Standard (NZS 3101) is currently under development and scheduled for publication in May 2005. The second part of this Standard contains information that aligns with the anticipated provisions of the earthquake loadings Standard (NZS 1170.5), which is soon to be finalised and published. It also updates the 1995 edition and includes re-arranging the content of the Standard on an elemental basis as well as revised provisions for Grade 500 steel, durability design for a range of cement types and additives, fibre reinforcement, effective section properties, thin panels, fire design and many other topics.

New Zealand's first Standard for property inspections is scheduled for publication in February 2005. Entitled Inspection of Buildings - Residential property (NZS 4306), the Standard is intended to provide consistency in the way pre-sale/pre-purchase property inspections are carried out. The Standard will give guidance to property inspectors while providing homeowners, vendors, and financiers with assurance that the property's condition can be assessed fairly.

Keeping up to date

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Purchasing details

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