The more the industry talks about passive fire and engages with other construction industry professionals, the more likely we are to get it right the first time.

When reviewing advertisements and promotional materials it appears that photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are promoted, with solar water panels being essentially ignored — why?

Below-grade shoring wall construction often proves to be difficult to obtain and maintain along the project site perimeter. 

How can we safely add insulation to existing walls without risking trapped moisture and compromising durability? 

While fire engineering reports are designed in line with the NZBC with a view to saving lives, we often overlook the lives of the first responders who need to go into these buildings.

A detailed discussion of the water/soil compatibility test and its importance in the design of any below-grade waterproofing system.

In this article, I’m tackling real-estate adverts, renovation by paint, and discussing one area of cost for whole-house renovation and the connection between health and wealth.

The traditional approach for facility managers is to do whatever it takes to make the passive fire issue disappear. This is not always the most cost-effective approach.

Dampness due to condensation can lead to fungal growth which harms occupants, causes decay in structural timbers and accelerates corrosion of metal components and fixings. 

Common themes with comfortable high performance houses are insulation, airtightness, ventilation and heating.