Little Change To Weather-Tightness Procedures For Current Building Consents

Manukau City Council will continue issuing ‘Code of Compliance Certificates’ for buildings with monolithic cladding.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says Council is satisfied that the current inspection regimes introduced in March this year provides a greater degree of protection for builders, owners and Council. It also binds more parties into the decision thereby spreading potential liability.

“Before issuing a CCC we are asking for producer statements from builders and suppliers which guarantee that the product and applicator meet the Building Code with respect to weather-tightness,” said Sir Barry.

“At this stage there is absolutely no need to overreact to the recent Kellaway decision and refuse cart blanche the issuing of CCCs relating to properties with monolithic cladding. That will only cause uncertainty, delays and increased costs to property owners, builders, developers, certifiers and Councils”.

“The Building Industry Authority is aware of the potential precedent this decision may cause and we expect that they will do their up-most to provide Council’s with unwavering certainty over its procedures and acceptable solutions for monolithic cladding,” said Sir Barry.

For building consents issued prior to 17th September 2003 Council will require a robust evaluation of the current weathertightness status of the building prior to the issue of a CCC.

All applications for building consents lodged after 12 December 2003 that involves monolithic claddings will require an approved vented drainage cavity to be incorporated into the building. If the building owner does not provide Council with the standard list of requirements including the need for appraisal certificates, warranties and guarantees Council will direct them to the BIA for a determination.

The procedures will be amended when the Building Industry Authority releases its new acceptable design solutions which are due by April 2004.

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