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SNZ NZS 4299

Earth buildings not requiring specific design

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Organization: SNZ
Publication Date: 21 February 2020
Status: active
Page Count: 238
scope:

Construction materials

This standard sets out construction requirements for adobe brick, cob, pressed earth brick, or rammed earth buildings, within the limitations of 1.2, not requiring specific engineering design (SED). Earth building materials density ranges from 800 kg/m3 to less than 1400 kg/m3 for low-density earth, and from 1400 kg/m3 to 2200 kg/m3 for heavy earth.

This standard also includes sections on internal earth veneer attached to light timber framing, exterior insulation to loadbearing earth walls, and earth floors.

Many of the clauses and tables in this standard contain specific or implied limitations. The use of values other than those given by the clauses and tables does not comply with this standard. Furthermore, this standard does not cover all of the requirements of the NZBC. This standard provides solutions within a specified range that can lead to some provisions being in excess of what would be provided for by SED.

Particular details, materials, or methods of earth building construction that are not covered by this standard are not necessarily disallowed but are outside its scope as a means of compliance with the NZBC. Note that poured earth, although within the scope of NZS 4298, is not within the scope of this standard. If such aspects are incorporated in a building consent application then they will be treated as an alternative solution to the NZBC and need to be to the satisfaction of the territorial authority.

Provisions for New Zealand Building Code compliance

This standard is intended as a means of compliance with the following requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC):

(a) Clause B1 Structure: Earth walls and floors constructed in accordance with this standard and NZS 4298 will meet the requirements of B1.3.1, B1.3.2, and B1.3.4 and for loads from B1.3.3(a), (b), (f), (g), (h), (j), and (q) that is for loads arising from gravity, snow, earthquake, wind, impact, and time-dependent effects;

(b) Clause B2 Durability: Earth walls and floors constructed and maintained in accordance with this standard will be durable for at least 50 years and will therefore meet B2.3.1(a) of the NZBC;

(c) Clauses C1 to C6 Protection from Fire: For heavy earth walls, constructed in accordance with this standard, they will meet the functional and performance requirements of C3.3, C3.7, and C6. This standard is not a complete solution to comply with Clauses C1 to C6 as it does not contain provisions for other elements of the building envelope such as roofs and external joinery;

(d) Clause E1 Surface Water: Construction in accordance with this standard will prevent damage to building components or dampness in the building as a result of external moisture entering through the earth walls or floors. This standard defines how to achieve compliance with E1.3.1 of the NZBC for walls and floors only;

(e) Clause E2 External Moisture: Construction in accordance with this standard will prevent damage to building components or dampness in the building as a result of external moisture entering through the earth walls or floors. This standard defines how to achieve compliance with E2.3.2 and E2.3.3 of the NZBC for walls and floors only. This standard is not a complete solution to Clause E2 as it does not contain complete provisions for the other elements of the building envelope such as roofs and exterior joinery;

(f) Clause E3 Internal Moisture: Building constructed in accordance with this standard will meet the functional requirements of Clause E3.2 and avoid the likelihood of fungal growth or the accumulation of contaminants on linings and other building elements, and free water overflow penetrating to an adjoining property and damage to building elements being caused by the presence of moisture;

(g) Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: This standard contains methods for determining information that can be components of a means of compliance with H1.3.1 for earth walls and floors that are constructed in accordance with this standard and NZS 4298. This standard does not provide a complete solution to Clause H1 as it does not contain provisions for the other elements of the building envelope such as roofs and exterior joinery nor are there provisions relating to heating, ventilation, water heating, lighting nor air conditioning.

Informative appendices on light earth method walls and straw-bale walls

Light earth method (LEM) walls in accordance with Appendix D and straw-bale walls in accordance with Appendix E do not provide complete means of compliance with clauses B1, B2, E2, and H1 of the NZBC but provide information that can be part of compliant designs.

Such walls shall not be incorporated into earth wall buildings in accordance with the remainder of this non-SED standard.

Any building incorporating straw bale or light earth method (LEM) walls is to be the subject of SED.

Non-specific or unquantified terms

Where this standard has provisions that are in non-specific or unquantified terms (such as where provisions are required to be appropriate, adequate, suitable, and the like), then these do not form part of the means of compliance with the NZBC and shall be to the approval of the building consent authority.

Also, where reference is made in this standard to 'the manufacturer's recommendations or instructions' or similar, these are outside the scope of this standard as an acceptable solution to the NZBC, and shall be to the satisfaction of the building consent authority.

Where this standard requires SED then this is outside the scope of the standard as an acceptable solution to the NZBC and shall be to the satisfaction of the building consent authority.

This standard does not provide complete information on the use of timber components and reference to NZS 3604 is required.

Where a building or part of a building does not comply with 1.2 it can be subject to SED to show compliance with the NZBC.

Document History

SNZ NZS 4299
February 21, 2020
Earth buildings not requiring specific design
Construction materials This standard sets out construction requirements for adobe brick, cob, pressed earth brick, or rammed earth buildings, within the limitations of 1.2, not requiring specific...
October 20, 1998
Earth buildings not requiring specific design
Scope and objective This Standard sets down design and construction requirements for adobe, pressed earth brick or rammed earth buildings not requiring specific design. This Standard is intended to...
October 20, 1998
Earth Buildings Not Requiring Specific Design
A description is not available for this item.
October 20, 1998
Earth Buildings Not Requiring Specific Design
Scope and objective This Standard sets down design and construction requirements for adobe, pressed earth brick or rammed earth buildings not requiring specific design. This Standard is intended to...

References

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