Understanding the building categories for the Licensed Building Practitioners Scheme
Why have building categories?
Understanding the building categories provides additional information that applicants for the Design 1, 2 and 3 and the Site 1 classes need to understand when deciding which class to apply to be licensed in.
The Design 1, 2 and 3 and the Site 1 classes are linked to a system of building categories that are based on a building's complexity. This booklet explains these three categories in detail.
In the future, licensed practitioners will also be able to use this booklet to categorise each building they are working on.
The three categories are based on the complexity of a building's:
- Structure
- Use
- Intended use
- Importance level
- Occupant numbers
- Risk score (based on the E2/AS1 risk matrix)
- Status under the Historic Places Act.
Note: Territorial Authorities also list heritage buildings in their district plans. A heritage building is not the same as a registered historic place and is not relevant to these building categories unless it is also a registered historic place.
The glossary at the end of this booklet explains the use of these terms in more detail.
What are the building categories?
Broadly, the three categories are:
Category 1
Detached or semi-detached residential dwellings of conventional timber-frame or masonry construction, and low- or medium-risk envelope design
Category 2
Buildings of moderate complexity, including commercial and less-conventional residential, with the highest occupied floor less than 10 metres above the exit (typically up to 3 floors) and limited occupant numbers
Category 3
Buildings that present a high risk to occupants because of what they are used for, or have high occupant numbers, or are of high community importance or of historic importance.
The categories relate directly to the three Design classes and the Site 1 class of the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme.
There is no direct alignment between the Site 2 and Site 3 classes and the building categories, because practitioners licensed to these classes can work on buildings in any category.
- Design 1: This class covers people who design Category 1 residential buildings.
- Design 2: This class covers people who design Category 1 and 2 buildings. (Note: A person licensed to Design 2 may also design Category 1 buildings provided they work within their own competence and recognise when other design skills are required.)
- Design 3: This class covers people who design Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings. (Note: A person licensed to Design 3 may also design Category 1 and 2 buildings provided they work within their own competence and recognise when other design skills are required.)
- Site 1: This class covers competent people who are responsible for technical coordination and overseeing the construction or alteration of Category 1 buildings.
Remember: Once you are licensed, you must work within the scope of your competence.