The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is making amendments to the Building Code after ‘mixed feedback’ from consultation on proposed changes to plumbing, drainage, and protection from fire.
“In response to mixed feedback received in the submissions, we are withdrawing portions of the fire proposal regarding protection of other property from fire spread in townhouses and low-rise multi-unit dwellings,” said Dr. Dave Gittings, Manager of Building Performance and Engineering.
“By announcing these decisions prior to the publication of the revised Building Code documents, our aim is to provide certainty and direction to the sector, to give manufacturers, suppliers and installers time to comply with the new requirements, and to prepare information and education to support the sector and public with the changes.
Gittings said the changes ‘are updates of existing documents used to comply with the Building Code’ and aimed to improve the quality and reliability of plumbing and drainage services and to protect people from fire in their homes.
“We are proceeding with changes to cite the latest industry standards for fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and smoke control systems including the requirement for interconnected smoke alarms as the minimum fire safety system in new homes. By adopting the latest industry standards and aligning with similar requirements in other countries, we aim to improve the safety of our communities.”
The revised solutions and documents will be published in November 2023 to allow a 12-month transition period. At the end of this transition period, the previous versions of the documents can no longer be used.
"We are committed to continuous improvements to ensure the compliance pathways for the Building Code are fit for purpose and up-to-date and support the delivery of safe, healthy and durable homes and buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand," said Gittings.
