The perceptions of project managers, quantity surveyors and passive fire installers when it comes to planning for fire stopping.

A dwelling should be considered as an integrated set of systems rather than a set of separate components.

One of the more significant developments in low slope commercial roofing in the New Zealand market in recent years has been the rise of ‘cool roofs’. Relatively new in our country, the choice to adopt lighter coloured roofing membranes is becoming more popular.

We recently had occasion to be drawn into the realm of structural engineering with regard to concrete floor slab penetrations. The issue is all too common: no provision made for power or data cables (and other services) to pass through concrete floor slabs. 

It is important to consider NZ's unique environment and high UV levels when specifying modern single ply thermoplastic membranes such as PVC and TPO.

A dedicated weathertightness layer can help protect building frames after a seismic event — ensuring that water damage doesn't occur through minor cracks or damage. 

Designers, project managers, installers and building consent officials exercising duty of care responsibilities would positively contribute to raising the bar on all passive fire protection installations in NZ.

In discussions with designers on interior fit-outs recently, it became apparent that there was a requirement for a fire stopping solution that was temporary in nature.

The homeowner pays the upfront cost of a hypo-reactive building, or the ongoing costs of a hyper-reactive building.

To understand insulation and its thermal resistance values, you need to know about thermal conductivity, thermal resistance and thermal transmittance.