Cable car - means a vehicle that carries people or goods on or along an inclined path or a suspended cable, and operates wholly or partly outside of a building, and the traction for which is supplied by a cable or any other means, and does not include a lift that carries people or goods between the floors of a building.
Carpenter -a person who builds or repairs wooden structures or their structural parts.
Cavity - one definition of ‘cavity’ in relation to building work is the cavity space immediately behind a wall cladding that has vents at the base of the wall. Cavities allow for drainage, which is one the four principles in managing water in and around buildings.
Certificate of acceptance – a certificate issued by a building consent authority to retrospectively approve unconsented work, or approve work where a building consent authority is unable or refuses to issue a code compliance certificate in respect of building work for which it granted a building consent. The certificate confirms that, to the extent an inspection was able to be carried out, the work complies with the Building Code.
Certificate for public use – a certificate specifically applicable to ongoing construction work. It is issued by a territorial authority where it is satisfied the premises are safe for members of the public to use, before a code compliance certificate is issued.
Change the use - to change the use of a building in a manner described in the Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use, and Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005. The requirements may differ from one type of use to another, but written notice needs to be given to the building consent authority and a building consent will likely be required.
Cladding - the exterior weather-resistant surface of a building. The cladding is a key element of weather tightness as it helps deflect water from buildings.
Clause (Building Code) - the Building Code consists of 35 technical clauses (sections) setting out performance standards that buildings must meet. Compliance Documents provide a prescriptive means of complying with the clauses of the Building Code.
Code compliance certificate (CCC) – a certificate issued by a building consent authority at the completion of building work, confirming that the building work complies with the building consent.
Compliance - occurs when performance, according to the standards in the Building Code, has been achieved. Compliance may be evidenced through code compliance certificates, or certificates of acceptance.
Compliance documents - documents published by the Department of Building and Housing to help people comply with the Building Code. There is one Compliance Document for each of the Building Code’s 35 clauses. Compliance Documents contain Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods (most Compliance Documents contain both), and provide one way of establishing compliance with a particular clause of the Building Code.
Compliance schedule – a schedule issued by the building consent authority listing the specified systems within a building (e.g. sprinkler systems, lifts, smoke detectors). These systems ensure a building is safe and healthy for members of the public to enter, occupy or use. The compliance schedule for a building must identify which specified systems are present, the performance standards for those systems, and how those systems will be monitored and maintained, as well as inspections and reporting carried out to ensure they will continue to function.
Construct - in relation to a building means to design, build, erect, prefabricate and relocate the building.
Dam - in terms of the Building Act 2004 (section 7), a dam is an artificial barrier constructed to hold back water (or other fluid) forming a reservoir to a depth of 3 metres or more and holding 20,000 or more cubic metres. It does not include a stopbank designed to control floodwaters.
Dangerous buildings - in terms of the Building Act 2004 (section 121), a building is dangerous if in the ordinary course of events it is likely to cause injury or death to people using the building or nearby, or likely to cause damage to other property. It includes a building that is likely to be dangerous in the event of fire.
Deck/decking - an open platform projecting from an exterior wall of a building and supported by framing. A deck may be over enclosed internal spaces, or may be open underneath. May also be known as a balcony.
Department of Building and Housing - established in November 2004, the Department of Building and Housing is responsible for regulation and dispute resolution in New Zealand’s building and housing sector.
Designer - a broad term to describe people who design buildings. It may include engineers, architects, architectural designers, design technicians and draughtspeople. A designer is usually (but not always) qualified and trained to design and document building design. They may also be capable of coordinating and administering all aspects of building design and construction.
Determination (Building Act determination) – a binding decision made by the Department of Building and Housing under the Building Act 2004. It provides a way of solving disputes or questions about the rules that apply to buildings, how buildings are used, building accessibility, health and safety.
Developer - any person who builds or arranges to build a building for the purpose of selling it. This could include developers of large commercial buildings, or builders or individuals building homes on ‘spec’.
Disabled (person with a disability) - any person who suffers from physical or mental disablement to such a degree that they are seriously limited in the extent to which they can engage in the activities, pursuits and processes of everyday life.
DIY (‘Do it yourself’) - a term applied to work undertaken by building owners (generally residential) on their building or house. From 30 November 2009, some work currently undertaken by DIY home renovators will need to be carried out or supervised by a licensed building practitioner.
Drained cavity - see cavity.
Durability - ‘Durability’ is covered by Clause B2 of the Building Code