*ARCHIVE* - Weathertightness News - No. 1, Apr 2003
What's inside
- Hunn recommendations
- Strategic realignment
- Important announcement - B2 and E2 reviews - available
- Important announcement - B2 and E2 reviews - available
- Weathertight Homes Resolution Service seeks additional assessors
- Weathertightness and industry training
- Registered Master Builders Federation initiates constitution changes
- BIA works with OSH to distribute bulletin Risks to Health from Moulds and Other Fungi
- Codes of Practice
Welcome to the first issue of our new bi-monthly publication, BIA Weathertightness News
By Barry Brown, Chairman, BIA
The purpose of BIA Weathertightness News is to provide a "whole of industry" forum for news and developments relating to solving the weathertightness problem. As well as articles by the BIA, you can expect to see articles by many key players in the industry over the coming months, and I encourage you to contact the BIA if you have a suitable article to submit.
The inclusive format of BIA Weathertightness News mirrors the new role and philosophy of the BIA in this "post-Hunn" era. Since the release of the BIA-commissioned Hunn Report, we have been working with government and industry to address the underlying causes of the systemic breakdown in the building industry identified in the report.
We have all seen some significant developments in this time, such as the formation of the Building Industry Taskforce arising out of the Building Industry Summit in October; the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) assuming responsibility for the building industry, and therefore the BIA, in January 2003; MED releasing their discussion paper on the Building Act Review in March 2003; and, most recently, the release of the Government Administration Select Committee Report into the weathertightness issue.
The BIA has encountered criticism over this period as well. We have acknowledged that and accepted it as a challenge - a challenge that, I think, has also gone out to many other sectors of the building industry, and a general observation is that the "shared responsibility" concept is being taken up. However, the momentum must be maintained.
For our part, the BIA has put in place an extensive work programme to implement the Hunn recommendations and to address issues around its own capabilities. As well as working closely with MED on policy work for the new Building Act, we have outlined the BIA's strategic direction in our Statement of Intent (SOI), presented to Parliament in December, which essentially focuses our work programme on three primary components:
- Our "business as usual" activities
- The "strategic realignment" of the BIA
- The delivery of the Hunn recommendations
The latter two are being delivered as projects outside our "business as usual" framework
Hunn recommendations
A number of the significant recommendations contained in the Hunn Report and picked up by the SOI, are scheduled for completion by the end of June this year.
These include:
- Our review of issues around the use of treated versus untreated timber
- Our review of Clause E2 of the Building Code, which effectively addresses weathertightness issues around cladding systems
- The issues of providing greater direction and guidance to territorial authorities and private certifiers, a very important aspect of getting the current regime to work properly
- We have a big work programme here but by June 30 we will have in place draft codes of practice for building inspections and for consenting. These will provide a level of guidance to territorial authorities that has been sorely missing in the past.
Other Hunn recommendations that fit within our ambit will take longer to implement but we are working on them all with urgency.
Strategic realignment
The organisation has been criticised as being too inward looking and narrow in its focus. The BIA is committed to changing such perceptions by resetting our strategic focus and the way in which we connect with the building industry and the public at large.
Many of the BIA's difficulties arose from being under-resourced in the past, both financially and in terms of people. This situation has now been fixed through drawing on our reserves, and by bringing more staff on board, particularly technical staff. We have also increased the number of communications staff, as we recognise that an important element of our new role is to communicate what we are working on and to provide better information to the industry and public.
We are also bringing on board a new manager of building compliance, dedicated to strengthening our capability to advise territorial authorities and building certifiers.
Additionally, we have put in place within the BIA a specialist weathertightness taskforce; and are being overseen by a government appointed Advisory Group led by Paul Carpinter, who chaired last year's very successful Building Industry Summit.
Finally, we have appointed Richard Martin as our new chief executive. Richard, a qualified structural engineer who has held a number of senior public sector roles, has been working with the BIA weathertightness taskforce since February, and will ensure that the BIA's strategic realignment results in a far more vigorous and outwardly effective organisation.
The next few months will bring further welcome changes and developments throughout the building industry. I am confident that the good progress we have all made will continue and that BIA Weathertightness News will be able to report positive and significant news in every issue. If you wish to contribute an article, please contact Sarah Ryan on 04 495 2791 or ryan@bia.govt.nz , and we look forward to hearing your ideas and developments.
Barry Brown
Chairman
Important Announcements
B2 and E2 reviews - available
At the time of "going to press" the BIA was planning to release for public comment proposed amendments to the approved documents supporting the durability (B2) and external moisture (E2) clauses of the Building Code in mid-April.
Essentially, B2 deals with the level of treatment timber must have when it is used in various framing locations, and E2 defines acceptable solutions for cladding systems and classifies them depending on risk levels.
All industry participants are encouraged to read and comment on these documents. They are available on this web site at [link to page]. Alternatively, please contact Nicci Tong or Sarah Carlisle on
04 471 0794, tong@bia.govt.nz or carlisle@bia.govt.nz
Weathertightness and industry training
By Pieter Burghout, CE, BCITO
The Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) is experiencing a tremendous surge in its training and qualifications - largely driven, one suspects, by the weathertightness issue and debate about industry registration.
It would be fair to say that the construction sector has, for too long, traded off an ever-decreasing number of people that were suitably skilled and trade trained - which has, finally, caught the sector up. Fortunately, there's an increasing recognition that skilled staff - plus training and qualifications - are an integral part of running a good business. And that's reflected in the BCITO's growth in training numbers: 12% growth in 2002 and more of the same forecasted for 2003 [see graph below].
The BCITO has also initiated a review of its qualifications and associated resource material, given a recommendation to that effect in the Hunn Weathertightness Report. The draft report - released for further comment on 27 March - supports the BCITO's mix of qualifications and its "Integrated Learning Package" training methodology, but with a couple of important provisos, particularly:
- that the BCITO properly service employers and apprentices through regular client visits;
- that the BCITO consider better support for the more difficult theory aspects of its qualifications.
The industry will be given further opportunity to comment on the draft report before it's finalised in late April. Most importantly, however, things are looking up for training in the construction sector. And the BCITO is similarly gearing up to properly service that increasing interest - which can only mean good things for an industry looking to deal constructively with the weathertightness issue.
For more information - call 0800 4BCITO [0800 422 486], or visit www.bcito.org.nz
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service seeks additional assessors
The Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) of the Department of Internal Affairs has now received 619 applications covering 1,315 individual dwellings.
The greatest number of applications has come from Auckland city with 647 dwellings covered by 170 applications. In many rural centres, especially in the South Island, there are no applications at all.
The WHRS was set up in October by the government to provide information and support to people affected by "leaky building" problems. The service helps owners of affected homes to establish the extent of the water damage and to resolve their problems.
While client details are strictly confidential, the information gathered by the WHRS will eventually provide a comprehensive picture of the extent of the weathertightness problem and accurate information about the way it varies throughout the country.
However, as WHRS manager David Curry points out, high-quality professionalassessments take time. "The WHRS is moving as quickly as possible. We are now dealing with the initial "bump" of applications and, as they are handled, the waiting times for assessments will reduce".
"Our priority is to help homeowners who have sought assistance in achieving a fair resolution to their problems. Once an application is accepted, the homeowner is assigned a Case Manager, who provides a single point of contact throughout the process. Homeowners will also deal with an Assessor, and perhaps a Mediator or Adjudicator as well. But the Case Manager will always be available and will make sure there is good communication throughout the process. It's all part of developing a professional service that homeowners can use with confidence," said David Curry.
The Service has so far appointed 25 assessors, and is looking for more. "We have supported further training to ensure more professionals are able to offer their services and we are encouraging our existing assessors to commit more of their time to WHRS. But with more than 619 applications covering more than 1,315 individual dwellings, it's apparent that it will take some time for us to get through the initial load of applications. Ideally, I'd like to have at least another 15 assessors and hope to have them working in this half of the year. Some will become available because they have undertaken the extra training needed," said David Curry.
Candidates for the position of assessor must be qualified Building Research Association (BRANZ) Advisers or NZ Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) Inspectors who have completed an approved weathertightness inspection course. The WHRS works with BRANZ to organise such courses.
Assessors are responsible for: interviewing the applicant; inspecting the building; assessing probable cause; determining the relevant parties; assessing the extent of the problems; estimating the cost of repairs; reporting to the WHRS Case manager overseeing the case; and attending any subsequent mediation or adjudication hearing.
Anyone interested in applying for an assessor position with the WHRS should contact John Hunter on 04 495 9476.
The WHRS freephone help line number for homeowners is 0800 116 926 and operates Monday to Friday from 8.30am - 7.00pm, except on statutory holidays. Homeowners can also access the WHRS through the weathertightness website www.dbh.govt.nz which contains information about the work of WHRS and issues related to leaky homes.
Registered Master Builders Federation initiates constitution changes
The Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) is to change its constitution at its upcoming conference in an effort to ensure a better future for New Zealand's building industry.
The key issue will be to strengthen the requirements for continuing education and newly introduced products in the market, some of which could impact on weathertightness.
This move will be in line with the recommendations of the Hunn Report and the recent findings of the Select Committee.
Constitutional changes will allow the RMBF to set minimum training and
up-skilling levels for its members.
RMBF chief executive Chris Preston says the proposed rule changes will see registered master builders required to take part in a set level of training and up-skilling in new systems, products and general business skills.
"These changes will mean our builders are responsible for ensuring they and their teams take part in structured professional development programmes and are up to date on changes, new techniques and products in the market," he says.
RMBF's 2003 conference will take place in Wellington from 10-13 April 2003. The theme for this year's conference is Back to Basics in the Industry.
For further information on the conference please contact:
Larissa Garnett
tel: 04 802 6901
mob: 025 543 542
or larissa.garnett@masterbuilder.org.nz
BIA works with OSH to distribute bulletin Risks to Health from Moulds and Other Fungi
The weathertightness issue has highlighted a potentially serious health issue for workers and others who may be involved in the repair of buildings. These problems can arise when leaks allow the growth of mould and fungi - whatever the cause of the leak.
The Occupational Safety & Health Service (OSH) has produced a bulletin entitled Risks to Health from Moulds and Other Fungi that provides information about the problem. The bulletin is relevant to all in the building industry, trade and public, and may also be downloaded free of charge from OSH's website www.osh.govt.nz.
The BIA is working with OSH to ensure that this important bulletin reaches as wide an audience as possible, and would appreciate the assistance of industry in this matter. If you can assist in the further distribution of this bulletin to industry or the public, and would like to receive multiple free hardcopies of the bulletin for this purpose, please contact the BIA on 0800 242 243 or at bia@bia.govt.nz
Codes of Practice
By Rosemary Killip, Executive Officer, BOINZ
In 2002, the Building Officials Institute (BOINZ) initiated a project to develop web-based Codes of Practice for Building Inspections. As a result of the Hunn Report recommendations, and with the support of the Building Industry Authority, BOINZ is now working on two Codes of Practice, one for inspections and the other for processing consents.
The objective of the project is to develop a consistent benchmark standard for consent processing and for inspections as provided for under the Building Act 1991. The Codes of Practice will apply to local government and private sector building officials.
Overseen by an independent facilitator, two steering groups are contributing to this project. These are made up of building officials from around the country; BRANZ; the BIA; Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM); and Riskpool (council's insurance fund).
The project is linked to SOLGM's Legal Compliance Project, which identifies and captures 'good practice' day-to-day processes and procedures for a number of territorial authority activities (including building controls compliance).
SOLGM has created a robust and auditable system that enables the Legal Compliance requirements for a number of generic territorial authority activities to be understood, identified, monitored and updated. It is now a web-based series of documents, which has a process for updating and amending as necessary.
BOINZ intends the draft Codes of Practice for Building Inspectors to be available by the end of June 2003. The information will be available in a web-based format and will be accessible online. Officials will be able to download prompt sheets, checklists, and hot tips to assist them in their work and should find it a valuable tool.
0800 242 243
04 471 0794 (tel)
04 471 0798 (fax)
bia@bia.govt.nz
PO Box 11 846
Wellington
New Zealand
Published by the Department of Building and Housing ISSN 1176-3159. Print run: 11,000
Legality of BIA Interpretations
Only the courts can issue binding interpretations of the Building Act 1991 and Regulations. Indications and guidelines issued by the Department of Building and Housing, either in Weathertightness News or other communications, are provided with the intention of helping people to understand the legislation. They are, however, offered on a “no-liability” basis, and, in any particular case, those concerned should consult their own legal advisers.
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