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Other guidance information

Other guidance information, including Practice Advisories, published under section 175 of the Building Act 2004. Subscribe to receive Practice Advisory updates »

Practice Advisory 9: Significant changes in structural design - New Loadings Standards have been cited with substantial modifications
Practice Advisory 9: New loading standards cover.  

What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Structural engineers, manufacturers of proprietary structural components and building consent authorities.
What it contains: Information about the B1 Compliance Document including Amendment 8 that becomes effective on 1 December 2008. The main topics it covers are:

  • citing the AS/NZS 1170 suite of Structural Design Action Standards
  • deleting NZS 4203 as part of the Verification Method
  • involving an experienced structural engineer such as a CPEng when using B1/VM1
  • modifying some of the AS/NZS 1170 requirements
  • limiting the scope of B1/VM1
  • deleting obsolete Standards from the VM including NZS 1900: Ch 11.2, AS/NZS 1664: Part 2, NZS 3106, NZS 4219 and NZS 4230:1990.
  • citing NZS 4230: 2004 for masonry design
  • citing SNZ HB 8630 for tramping track structure loads
  • reducing roof loads of AS/NZS 1170.1 to be comparable with NZS 4203 loads
  • clarifying scope and application of barrier loads of AS/NZS 1170.1 and reducing them in some cases
  • reinstating the face load of 0.5 kPa following a fire – not required by AS/NZS 1170
  • allowing territorial authorities to specify wind and snow loads
  • raising the minimum ground snow load in Canterbury, Otago and Southland above that given by AS/NZS 1170.3

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Practice Advisory 8: Don’t be undone – anchor your spiral
Practice Advisory 8: Use with care [PDF 151 KB, 2 pages].  

What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers and construction contractors
What it contains: Information about anchoring and splicing spiral reinforcing in circular columns. The main topics it covers are:

  • what happens when spiral reinforcing isn’t anchored or spliced correctly
  • do’s and don’ts
  • acceptable practice
  • 135-degree hooks
  • welded laps
  • mechanical connectors
  • references.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Practice Advisory 7: Use with care
Practice Advisory 7: Use with care [PDF 35 KB, 2 pages].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers and construction contractors
What it contains: Information about using Grade 500E steel in new buildings. The main topics it covers are:
  • source of supply, method of manufacture and identification
  • bending Grade 500E
  • redending Grade 500E
  • welding Grade 500E
  • do's and don’ts
  • background information
  • where to find further information.

This Practice Advisory is no longer available. An update is in preparation.

Practice Advisory 6: Achieve best practice – every step of the way
Practice Advisory 6: Achieve best practice – every step of the way [PDF 85 KB, 4 pages].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers, building officials and construction contractors
What it contains: Information about general design and construction practice. The main topics it covers are:
  • diaphragm load paths and detailing
  • new methods and forms of construction
  • detailing requirements for reinforcement
  • anchoring spiral reinforcement columns
  • rebending reinforcement
  • reinforcement for lateral bursting
  • Grade 8.8 bolts
  • shear design of beams
  • uneven loading
  • precast concrete
  • saw cuts in diaphragms
  • buckling restraint
  • composite steel beams
  • serviceability.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Practice Advisory 5: Allow for movement
Practice Advisory 5: Allow for movement [PDF 97 KB, 2 pages].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers and building officials
What it contains: Information about using precast hollow-core floor assemblies in new buildings. The main topics it covers are:
  • issues of concern about the design of precast hollow-core floor assemblies, particularly for earthquake shaking
  • do's and don’ts
  • background information
  • hollow-core flooring details
  • where to find further information.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Practice Advisory 4: Do sweat the 'small' stuff
Practice Advisory 4: Do sweat the 'small' stuff [PDF 250 KB, 12 pages].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers and construction contractors
What it contains: Information about design and detailing of structural steel connections. The main topics it covers are:
  • issues of concern about structural steel connection design and detailing
  • do's and don’ts
  • background information
  • where to find further information.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

 Practice Advisory 3: Beware of limitations
Practice Advisory 3: Beware of limitations [PDF 56 KB, 1 page].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers and construction contractors
What it contains: Information about using cold-worked wire mesh in new buildings. The main topics it covers are:
  • issues of concern about using cold-worked wire mesh in situations where ductility in an earthquake is needed
  • do's and don’ts
  • background information
  • where to find further information.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Practice Advisory 2: Pay attention to the basics!
Practice Advisory 2: Pay attention to the basics! [PDF 58 KB, 1 page].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Building designers
What it contains: Information about showing structural concepts and load paths on documents submitted with building consent applications. The main topics it covers are:
  • issues of concern about structural concepts and load paths
  • do's and don’ts
  • background information.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Practice Advisory 1: Bend the bar but not the rules
Practice Advisory 1: Bend the bar but not the rules [PDF 58 KB, 2 pages].   What sort of publication it is: Colour information sheet
Who it's for: Builders and building site supervisors using reinforcing steel
What it contains: Information about how to bend reinforcing steel properly to avoid fracturing and weakening it. The main topics it covers are:
  • issues of concern about bending and rebending reinforcing steel
  • do's and don’ts
  • background information
  • where to find further information.

How much it costs: Free
How to get it: Download a PDF or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy

Reinforcing steel in New Zealand - A quick guide for designers, building consent authorities and contractors

Reinforcing steel in New Zealand - A quick guide for designers, building consent authorities and contractors [PDF 171 KB, 2 pages].   What sort of publication it is: Colour wallchart
Who it's for: Building designers, building officials and construction contractors
What it contains: Information about Grade 500E steel available in New Zealand. The main topics it covers are:
  • comparison of Grade 500 reinforcing steel commonly available in New Zealand
  • required reinforcing bar properties to AS/NZS 4671 steel reinforcing materials
  • minimum bend diameters
  • overstrength factors for capacity design
  • checklists.

This Practice Advisory is no longer available. An update is in preparation.