BC Update: No. 85 - New loading Standard referenced

3 June 2008: The Department has referenced the new loading Standard AS/NZS 1170 by including it in Verification Method 1 under the Building Code Clause B1 Compliance Document. This decision follows extensive public consultation.

The new Standard, which is in five parts, reflects the latest understanding of structural loads, including those imposed by earthquakes.

The Department has cited the Standard with amendments to make it suitable for use as a Verification Method. Several other changes have been made which differ from the proposals in the public consultation document in response to public feedback.

Highlights of the new Verification Method include:

• The design process must involve an experienced structural engineer, such as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng).
• The loads on vehicle barriers in buildings have been increased by a factor of three or more.
• Snow loads for Canterbury, Otago and Southland are higher.
• Earthquake resistance requirements in low seismic hazard areas may be reduced where the project is large enough to justify a special study.
• A 0.5 kPa wall face load that applies when wall support is removed following a fire (that was in NZS 4203, but not in AS/NZS 1170.1) has been reinstated.
• The Design of Reinforced Concrete Masonry Structures Standard , NZS 4230: 2004, is cited in place of the 1990 edition.
• Rules for loads on balustrades have been clarified.

The Department will shortly publish a practice advisory for users of the Verification Method, explaining its most important features and the changes from the previous Standard.

The Practice Advisory and the new Verification Method will be on the Department’s website. It will take effect on 1 December 2008, following a six-month transitional period.