I have full sympathy for the households and businesses affected by the recent floods in the upper and eastern North Island. I wish them well for the difficult and long task of recovery which must not be left to them alone. It is up to, and has been so for many decades, the Politicians and Built Environment Professionals to take our heads out of the sand and diligently look to a different long-term.

The latest research into product substitution reflects elevated levels of substitution dominated by short-term factors, and a long-term need to improve on quality of information and consistency of substitution processes.

With a number of material options available for roof and balcony membrane drainage products — each suitable for different project requirements — it's important that architects carefully consider membrane type, flow rate, spatial requirements and environmental factors to choose the best option for the application. 

This month I discuss floor design for townhouses + we're giving you another chance to WIN with the Medium Quick-Fire Quiz!

It is critical that any firestopping sealant that is used on CPVC products is checked for both chemical compatibility, and of course like all firestopping products, evidence that the product has been tested in accordance with AS1530.4:2014 & AS4072.1-2005 and meets the required fire resistance level for the desired application.

This month, November 2022, COP27 is being held in Egypt and yet again countries are admitting that their targets have not been met. Presumably this is because it is more important for the politician, and their advisors, to secure current short-term positions rather than look out beyond to consider the inevitable lesser world this inaction will bring. This narrow-view approach often results in unintended consequences which can negate the initial intention.

With new product information regulations being implemented at the end of 2023, suppliers should now be conducting an initial audit of the information they provide to support compliance of their products. 

The very nature to how the CLT slowly chars away adds extra consideration for firestopping systems as these treatments are often mounted to the wall in a way that they could fall off as the timber burns away.

This month I discuss external façade walls + to celebrate the launch of mediumdensity.nz, we're giving you the chance to WIN with the Medium Quick-Fire Quiz! 

Offering insight into Brock Common’s passive fire strategy, we discuss how the passive fire safety approach should not be considered industry best practice, and how fire testing would have supported the project’s overall goal of being a unique research and learning opportunity related to innovative construction with engineered wood products.