Recently, flat roof systems and product technology have grown more complex, with options such as reinforced modified bitumen and TPO membranes providing different performance benefits. 

The public enquiry into the Grenfell Fire should become a key education resource for the industry, reminding us that recognising and managing project risk is a role we all share. 

The Ministry of Education's updated guidelines on Weathertightness Design Requirements for New School Buildings outline new changes in the design philosophy of school roofs set well above NZBC Acceptable Solutions. 

In the first part of our series, we identified that fire-separating elements are often not installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and therefore non-compliant. In this part we want to show that the issue we are facing is multi-levelled and encompasses much more than the structural problem that presents on the surface.

A look at how charred timber aesthetics have been created over time. 

Few things have the potential to improve the performance of New Zealand’s building, construction and asset operation sectors as much as Building Information Modelling (BIM). Commencing in 2014, the adoption of BIM has been measured, and now EBOSS and the BIM Acceleration Committee are pleased to announce the findings of the seventh year of the BIM Benchmark Survey. 

The industry is facing a massive hidden Passive Fire Protection problem which has surfaced with the investigation around leaky buildings. Across New Zealand standard plasterboard has been installed non-compliantly, which now leaves these buildings facing life safety compliance issues under the NZBC. In the first part of our series, we take a closer look at identifying the problem. 

Guest post by Jerome Partington, JASMAX.

Time to get with the new paradigms of Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Toxicity (in materials) and Net Zero Carbon. Jerome Partington of Jasmax and CEO Living Future Rākeiora explains how you can play your role and create positive outcomes for your clients and projects. These can be immediate and powerful wins for our industry, our clients, our communities and Papatūānuku.

Edge cover and edge clearance should be considered at the initial design stage to ensure glazing is installed as per the New Zealand Glazing Code. 

With New Zealand’s commitment to Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, the built infrastructure sector of the economy will have a significant part to play if the target is to be met. The Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 illustrates the need for lateral thinking.