Acceptable Solution for Weathertight Concrete Construction

MEDIA RELEASE - Monday, August 15, 2011

Acceptable Solution for Weathertight Concrete Construction Added to NZ Building Code Documents

Building a home to take advantage of concrete's excellent weathertight credentials has become even simpler with a new Acceptable Solution that references the Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ)'s Code of Practice CCANZ CP 01:2011.

From August 2011 Clause E2 (External Moisture) of the New Zealand Building Code has an Acceptable Solution (E2/AS3) for weathertight concrete and concrete masonry construction that references CCANZ's Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction.

The Code of Practice covers the weathertightness of the building envelope for concrete slabs on the ground, concrete walls and associated methods of insulation, concrete flat roofs and decks, and concrete to timber construction junctions.

To aid planners and builders, the Code of Practice follows the same format as existing weathertightness solutions, but offers larger detail drawings following the text.

CCANZ developed the Code of Practice in partnership with building and construction industry representatives, and its acceptance into the New Zealand Building Code followed wider consultation by the Department of Building and Housing (DBH).

CCANZ Chief Executive Rob Gaimster is delighted with the Code of Practice and said it will bring real benefits to builders and home owners.

"The development of this document and its inclusion as an Acceptable Solution in the New Zealand Building Code will alleviate the current uncertainty amongst consent authorities in the area of weathertight concrete and concrete masonry design and construction.

"It will also allow builders, designers and their clients to choose from a wider range of building materials, and in turn enable the weathertight advantages of concrete and concrete masonry systems to enhance New Zealand's building stock."

For further information about this key change to the NZBC External Moisture documents, go to the Department of Building and Housing website - www.dbh.govt.nz

To download [pdf 2.80 MB] or purchase a hardcopy of Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction (CP 01:2011), go to the CCANZ website - www.ccanz.org.nz

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