What is proposed?
The Department of Building and Housing is proposing changes to the Building Code, Verification Methods and/or Acceptable Solutions for fire, noise and signs. A new Acceptable Solution for fire and noise requirements in medium-density housing and a revised Acceptable Solution for warning systems are also proposed.
The proposals are intended to:
- Simplify and clarify fire design, while maintaining current standard of fire safety; make the consent and inspection process more straightforward.
- Align the Acceptable Solution for warning systems with the proposed changes for fire protection.
- Improve the quality of life for apartment and multi-unit dwellers by reducing noise problems and align our standards to levels used in much of the world.
- Modernise signage to bring New Zealand into line with international practice.
- Make it easier to design good quality medium-density housing by bringing together essential information for fire safety and noise protection into a single document.
Seminars
In the week beginning 20 September, the Department plans to run seminars in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch (tentative due to the earthquake) and Dunedin to discuss these and other Department proposals. To find out more about the Seminars CLICK HERE
Have your say
Please note that the consultation period closes on 26 November 2010.