You’ve all heard of those TV myth busters, and as a building law educator I’m always pleased to be able to bust a few myths myself around building law and compliance.

I recently completed 18 events as part of the Carters Licensed Building Practitioner Road Show. It was so enjoyable to be part of this initiative and I really enjoyed the practical sense of humour builders have.
 
The Carters Road Show learning sessions were designed to give insights into how Licensed Building Practitioners could keep their businesses out of trouble. They also covered the type of building work that can be done without consent.
 
The sessions covered:

• The real reasons for Records of Work
• Five things LBPs are getting wrong
• Five things LBPs are getting right

 
Coming out of these sessions, I also discovered five things LBPs didn’t know that surprised me.

1. Some of you who attended didn't know that the law has changed to allow anyone (including builders) to construct decks up to 1.5 metres high without a building consent; some of you still thought there was a 1 metre restriction.

1. Some of you who attended thought you had increased liability through signing Records of Work. You don't… Your liability is the same as it ever was. The Records of Work just make it easier to find out who did what.
2. There was a misconception that big commercial buildings or apartments over 10 metres high ARE restricted building works. They are not! Therefore NO LBP required.
3. I discovered that some of you employed as Licensed Building Practitioner carpenters are reluctant to sign the Record of Work. With an incorrect assumption that this would make you the only one in the firing line if something went wrong, With the boss and the council walking free. Not so!
4. Some of you didn't know that you are able to rebuild a garage (or outbuilding) on the same footprint without consent.

 
One of the best ways to keep up to date with industry news, and be part of the conversations that are taking place around building law, consent and Records of Work, is to sign up to BuildNet, Building Networks’ professional learning programme that gives you access to online advice, training, emailed tips, discounts on workshops, training, and much, much more…
There are three different plan levels to meet varying professional development budgets.  Find out more HERE.

The Building Control system in NZ has procedures is in place to protect the general public from harm and injury. However, as a recent case of legionellosis in Hawkes Bay demonstrates, there is a sneaky deadly disease that has made its appearance in New Zealand too frequently in recent times. Read the article HERE.

This sad case, which cost a woman both her feet, leads me to question our current Building Act in this specific area.

• Is it time G12 of the Building Code was revised to ensure that water temperatures are fit for purpose?
• Is there a maintenance check home owners could be carrying out each year?
• What about the office showers or your gym, should a check be included under the Building Warrant of Fitness regime?

 
If you would like to find out what other people in your profession think about this and a whole host of compliance and building control matters, Building Networks NZ can offer you the perfect environment as a BuildNet member.
 
One of the benefits is the ability to meet in a virtual space to talk about issues, challenges and refresh your knowledge, but there are so many more!

Join BuildNet HERE

​I was saddened to read a story on Stuff NZ of another fatality in a Ponsonby house fire.
The current legislative requirements to protect homeowners, residents and tenants are woefully inadequate. These date back to 2003 and simply include the installation of a battery operated hush kit smoke detector. It gets worse… Only one of these is required in a modern home if all the bedrooms are clustered together.
 
When I look at the technological advances that have been made throughout all industries, including the building industry over the last twelve years, I’m astounded that the legislation hasn’t been updated to include other more superior products and requirements that are recognised for their effectiveness around the world.
 
It's time the New Zealand building industry stood up to the World Cup of fire protection so we can save Kiwi’s lives! 
 
An article in the Irish Times highlights how more than 600 residents of a Dublin docklands apartment complex face evacuation from their homes on Thursday on the orders of Dublin Fire Brigade, if they cannot fund €4 million of fire safety works.
As a building law educator I know this is happening in New Zealand’s commercial buildings. I believe it's the next leaky building crisis.
The current regime cannot seem to stop this from happening as people either deliberately, or in ignorance bash holes through fire walls without properly sealing. In haste, contractors take short cuts or use cheaper less effective "elephant snot" when installing. Then, of course, there are the Swiss cheese holes of the past buildings that once complied by data cable, other trades have compromised.
IQPs are making these shocking discoveries when they annually inspect properties through the BWOF process. Some building owners resist vehemently as the fix ups are expensive (of those, I ask, what price safety?) and some contractors are sadly in denial. 
 
Please don’t be part of this problem, be a life saver…

• If you work in Compliance, Companies, are part of an IQP firm or an IQP.
• If you’re a staff member for a local territorial authority working in BWOF Compliance or Compliance Schedule writing; or
• If you’re a Manager of an IQP register, Facility Manager, Asset Manager, Building owner or an owner’s agent.

Register for one of the Building Networks NZ IQP Forums in Christchurch on 29th October (Register HERE) or Dunedin on 30th October (Register HERE).
​
You’ll learn more about:

• Case studies of building types and risks with passive fire systems
• What should be checked for in terms of Fire and Smoke Separations
• How the proposed new Health and Safety requirements affect IQP work and BWOF requirements.
• How the BWOF fist within fire service requirements and fire evacuations.

 
This is your chance to be part of a solution to a very real problem that is alive and kicking in New Zealand!