Ways to Show Compliance on Your Application

Where designs use acceptable solutions or verification methods these will considered as complying with the related clause(s) of the building code. The acceptable solution or verification method used needs to be clearly identified through their unique identification number(s) – eg E2/AS1 for clause E2 external moisture.

You can use methods that are alternative ways of building to the acceptable solutions and verification methods. As part of your application you’ll need to show how these meet the required building code performance standards. This can be through a calculation or test result, comparison with an acceptable solutions or verification method, technical data from the manufacturer, etc.

These are agreed specifications for products, processes, services and performance created by Standards New Zealand. Some standards are named by the building code and so are included in the acceptable solutions – eg NZS3604:2011 is B1/AS1.

You must complete and include with the consent application a certificate of work if you are an architectural designer, architect or engineer carrying out or supervising design of restricted building work.

These are professional opinions that can help support a consent application. They are not a product warranty or guarantee and therefore do not have to be accepted by council (see producer statements for more details).

You can also show building code compliance through product certification and appraisals.

Product certification, also known as CodeMark, is voluntary, and certifies products, systems or building methods after assessment by an accredited certification organisation.

Appraisals are similar to certification. An independent assessment and evaluation confirms compliance with the building code. Appraisals can be carried out by the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) and Building Element Assessment Laboratory Limited (BEAL).