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Notification for the revision of NZS 3604: 1999 Timber framed buildings

Parts of NZS 3604:1999, the key Standard for building timber framed houses in New Zealand, need to be brought up to date.

Standards New Zealand will soon start a project to revise the Standard, and will be calling for nominations to the technical committee that will revise NZS 3604.

NZS 3604 is widely used by designers, builders, engineers, and the building industry, and 93% of timber framed houses in New Zealand are built to the Standard. NZS 3604 provides practical guidance on how to design and build houses to meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code, without the need for specific engineering design.

The key objectives of the revision of NZS 3604 are to:

  • reflect the needs of industry, and changes in materials and industry practice, since the last revision was published
  • reflect changes in other related Standards, such as those setting requirements for the earthquake, wind, snow, and other loadings that buildings should be designed to
  • consider the merits of a 'whole building' design approach, as opposed to the 'single member' basis of design.

There may also be additional issues requiring consideration by the technical committee, during the revision process.

The specific areas in NZS 3604 that need updating are as follows.

  • 1. AS/NZS 1170 Loadings Standard is soon to be referenced in the Compliance Documents to the New Zealand Building Code effective 1 December 2008. NZS 3604 needs to be updated to reflect AS/NZS 1170.
  • 2. The Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 has superseded NZS 3604 building envelope design (weathertightness issues). NZS 3604 needs to be updated to reflect this.
  • 3. NZS 3604 needs to be updated to incorporate content on bracings and durability.
  • 4. Building practices have moved on significantly in the last 10 years and NZS 3604 needs to be updated to reflect current technical knowledge and industry practices.

Future updates on the revision of NZS 3604 will be published in the building section of our new, monthly e-magazine, 'Touchstone': www.standards.co.nz/touchstone Please ensure you have subscribed to 'Touchstone' to be kept informed. You can subscribe on our website for this free service: http://www.standards.co.nz/web-shop/?action=updateWatchList&mod=catalog