An introduction to prefabrication: what specifiers need to be aware of when designing for offsite construction.

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.

EBOSS and the BIM Acceleration Committee are pleased to announce the findings from the fourth survey of our five-year programme that follows the progress of the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) into New Zealand.

Does the disconnect between the standard temperatures used for thermal performance research, and the actual interior and climatic temperatures to which building are exposed, cause confusion?

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.

MBIE has released an important announcement regarding the scope for Building Code Verification Method C/VM2 Framework for Fire Safety Design. 

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.

Recently there seems to be a developing interest in locating domestic aluminium windows to align with the thermal insulation zone of exterior walls. This interest seems to be focused on thermally broken window frames and the by-passing of the thermal break which occurs with current window installation details.