BC Update: No.19 - New weathertightness requirements effective 1 July 2005
Effective date and transition arrangements
24 Jun 2005: The transition period for changes to the weathertightness Acceptable Solution for Clause E2 External Moisture of the Building Code, E2/AS1, also known as the ‘Weathertightness Solution’, is almost over. Announced in June 2004, the changes become effective on 1 July 2005.
For those applying for a building consent on or after this date, the changes may affect their project. The Department advises them to talk to their designer or architect to make sure the new weathertightness practices have been considered before a building consent application is filed. The existing Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 (second edition, amendment 5, dated 9 February 2004) remains in force for building work started before 1 April 2005.
Projects consented from 31 March 2005 will have their code compliance certificates assessed against their building consents.
New amendment to E2/AS1 and E2/VM1
The new weathertightness Compliance Document (containing E2/AS1 and E2/VM1) has been amended. Amendment 2 will become effective on 1 July 2005. The amendments include changes to both E2/VM1 and E2/AS1, and are made to assist users by:
- removing reference to Approved Applicators from the requirements and placing it under comment
- amending the metal roofing span tables and including the use of 0.4 mm steel
- reorganising existing information for clarity and extending references where further information is considered helpful
- easing existing limits where appropriate, such as removing references to weathertightness experts and roll formed barge flashings, adding wider use of soft edge flashings, providing lower risk assessment for walls with two claddings, and easing requirements for 50-year durability for some flashings to align with New Zealand Building Code Clause B2 Durability
- making adjustments to align more closely with industry practice, especially around roofing practice and window details.
The new Compliance Document is available free on the Department’s website. Alternatively, it can be purchased in several formats from Victoria University Bookcentre (phone 0800 370 370, or visit www.vicbooks.co.nz).
New Risk Matrix guidance document
To support the risk management-based approach that underpins the E2 Compliance Document, the Department has also developed a new Risk Matrix guidance document. The Risk Matrix guidance document will be of particular interest to, and will provide guidance for, those involved in building design and weathertightness compliance.
The Department has printed 10,000 copies of the guidance document and these will be mailed out to associations and stakeholders over the next few days.
In the meantime the guidance document can be downloaded from the weathertightness section of the Department’s website. If you have not received a copy of the guidance document by Monday 4 July and would like to receive a copy, please call the Department on 0800 242 243 to obtain one.
For more information, contact the Department of Building and Housing on 0800 242 243, or visit our website at www.dbh.govt.nz.