Concrete segmental paving Standard to be amended, to add flagstones
Local Government New Zealand and the New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association have sponsored an Amendment to Concrete segmental paving, NZS 3116:2002. As a result, local government, landscape artists, civil engineers, concrete paver manufacturers, and suppliers will soon be able to use a New Zealand Standard for pavement construction involving flagstones.
‘The Amendment will ensure that flagstones are the right specification, quality, strength, and application for New Zealand conditions,’ says committee Chair David Barnard who represents the Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand. Amendment 1 is due to be published by March 2009 and it is being developed so the Standard can be referenced as an Alternative Solution by the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) for the Compliance Document for New Zealand Building Code Clause D1.
The Standard covers the manufacture, testing, acceptance and supply of concrete segmental pavers, and the design and co ...read more [opens in new window]
Oriented PVC pipes for pressure applications - revised Standard published
A revised Standard for Oriented PVC (PVC-O) pipes for pressure applications, AS/NZS 4441:2008, was published in August 2008. The Standard supersedes AS 4441(Int)—2003. It specifies the general aspects of pipes and joints made of oriented unplasticised poly vinyl chloride (PVC-O) for piping systems to be used underground or above-ground where not exposed to direct sunlight, for water mains and services, pressurised sewer systems, and irrigation systems.
Masonry units - two revised Standards published
Two revised Standards for masonry units, published in July 2008, provide users and specifiers with the requirements for masonry units used in pavement construction, and segmental retaining wall units used in segmental retaining walls.
- Masonry units, pavers, flags and segmental retaining wall units Part 1: Masonry units, AS/NZS 4455.1:2008, supersedes, in part, AS/NZS 4455:1997, and specifies requirements for masonry units for walling.
- Masonry units, pavers, flags and segmental retaining wall units, Part 3: Segmental retaining wall units, AS/NZS 4455.3:2008, supersedes, in part, AS/NZS 4455:1997.
Emergency evacuation lighting for buildings - new Amendment published
Amendment 2 to Emergency evacuation lighting for buildings – Inspection and maintenance, AS/NZS 2293.2:1995, was published in August 2008. The Amendment applies to maintenance records, defective lamps, fittings, and manual discharge test facilities.
Download a free copy of Amendment 2 to AS/NZS 2293.2
Performance of windows Standard revision underway
Architects, builders, designers, building engineers, and window producers and specifiers will soon be able to use a revised version of the Standard for the specification for performance of windows. DBH supported the revision of NZS 4211:1985 to update it with more modern processes for testing and materials.
The revised Specification for performance of windows for buildings not requiring specific engineering design, NZS 4211:2008, is due to be published by the end of 2008. ‘The revision clarifies how to apply the Standard, and aligns the Standard with the new loadings Standard AS/NZS 1170,’ says Ian Baines, committee Chair who represents WANZ. ‘It includes updated requirements for the performance of windows and doors to be installed in exterior walls, within the defined wind pressures of the four main wind zones, and a new upper limit for windows in buildings not requiring specific engineering design. The properties covered are strength, deflection, operating f ...read more [opens in new window]
Structural timber Standard revision available for public comment
The draft Standard, DR 08192 Characterisation of structural timber Part 1: Test methods (revision of (in part) AS/NZS 4063:1992) to be AS/NZS 4063.1, is available for public comment. The closing date for comment is 29 October 2008.
The Standard provides test methods for testing rectangular section structural timber to provide data for the determination of characteristic values for structural design.
Download a free copy of the draft Standard DR 08192.