Public comment document released by Standards NZ & Department of Building and Housing re NZS3604
19 December 2005
Standards New Zealand (SNZ) and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) are seeking feedback regarding the proposed Amendment 2 to NZS3604 (Timber Framed Buildings) and consequential proposed change to the building code compliance document B1 Structure.
Amendment 2 to NZS3604 is a direct consequence of Amendment 4 to NZS3603. Essentially, NZS3604 uses the grades and engineering properties described in NZS3603 to provide design solutions for timber framed buildings up to 3 stories high.
Amendment 4 to NZS3603 was published by SNZ in March 2005 but has not yet been cited in the building code. The DBH sought public comment in May 2005 but has not made a decision on whether to cite the amendment. Due to NZS3603 and NZS3604 being linked, the DBH has decided to reserve judgement on NZS3603 until it has received public comment on NZS3604. It is likely that any amendment to Compliance Document B1, regarding both standards, would occur at the same time.
The proposed effective date for changes to the building code is 31 January 2007; this assumes citation being made at the end of July 2006 with a 6-month transition period.
The closing date for submitting comments on the proposed changes is 17 March 2006.
You can obtain a PDF file of the consultation document at http://www.standards.co.nz/draft-standards or www.dbh.govt.nz/e/publish/consulting-on.shtml or a hard copy by phoning 0800 242 243 DBH or 0800 782 632 SNZ.