scope:

This Standard sets out construction requirements for concrete masonry buildings not requiring specific engineering design within the limitations specified by 1.1.3. It is intended as a means of compliance with the following requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC):

(a) Clause B1 Structure

Masonry walls constructed in accordance with this Standard and NZS 4210 will meet the requirements of B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4 for loads from B1.3.3(a), (b), (d), (f), (h) and (j) i.e. for loads arising from gravity, earth pressure, earthquake, wind, and human impact. Appendix C gives details of masonry walls that are retaining.

(b) Clause B2 Durability

Masonry walls constructed in accordance with this Standard will be durable for at least 50 years and will therefore meet B2.3.1(a) of the New Zealand Building Code.

(c) Clause E2 External Moisture

Construction in accordance with this Standard will ensure against damage to building components or dampness in the building as a result of external moisture entering through the masonry walls or the concrete slab-on-ground. This Standard ensures compliance with E2.3.2 and E2.3.3 of the New Zealand Building Code but in respect of walls and floors only. This Standard is not a complete solution to Clause E2 as it does not contain provisions for the other elements of the building envelope e.g. roofing, exterior joinery and flashings.

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 Building Code and must be to the approval of the Territorial Authority.

This Standard does not provide all the information relating to the use of timber components and reference to NZS 3604 is required.

This Standard applies only to buildings within its stated limitations, including but not limited to:

(a) Buildings shall be founded on good ground;

(b) Buildings shall be a Category IV or V building (see table 1.1);

(c) The total height from the lowest ground level to the highest point of the roof shall not exceed 10 m and no storey height shall exceed 3.0 m;

(d) The ratio of the total building height to minimum building width shall not exceed 2.5;

(e) The plan footprint floor area and configuration of construction shall comply with the limitations contained in figure 1.1 and shall not exceed:

(i) 600 m² for single storey masonry buildings

(ii) 250 m² for 2 storey residential masonry buildings

(iii) 350 m² for 2 storey residential buildings where the upper storey is constructed of timber and the external wall of the lower storey is of masonry supported on a concrete slab-on-ground, concrete or masonry footings or masonry foundation walls

(iv) 250 m² for 2 and 2 storey with attic buildings constructed with upper storey or storeys of timber supported on a lower storey of masonry with the top storey contained within a roof space.

(f) The live load on suspended floors shall not exceed:

(i) 1.5 kPa

(ii) 2.0 kPa for balconies.

(g) The live load on concrete slab-on-ground shall not exceed a uniformly distributed load of 3.0 kPa nor a concentrated load of 9.0 kN;

(h) The slope of any roof plane shall not be steeper than 45o to the horizontal;

(j) Roofs shall be of timber complying with NZS 3604;

(k) Suspended timber floors shall be of timber construction complying with NZS 3604 unless otherwise modified by this Standard;

(m) Suspended concrete floors used as a diaphragm shall meet the requirements of this Standard for horizontal loads and shall for the purposes of other structural functions be required to be specifically designed to NZS 3101. The maximum dead load of suspended concrete floors shall not exceed 4.5 kPa.