Fire affecting areas beyond the source: vertical or horizontal fire spread, Material Group Numbers, surface finishes.
This clause requires design and construction for a low probability of injury or illness to people not in close proximity to a fire source.
It ensures upper floors and other property are protected from external vertical fire spread (not importance level 1). It includes requirements for all buildings against fire spread to other property vertically or horizontally across a relevant boundary.
The clause specifies performance criteria that must be met, for example, about materials used as internal surface linings/finishes (Material Group Numbers), for external walls within 1 metre of a boundary, and for buildings not protected with an automatic sprinkler system.
C1 provides objectives for each of the C clauses.
Most of the guidance applies to all of the C clauses and some relates to a specific clause.
There may be specific products and determinations under each code clause.
The 2019 1st edition of C/AS2 combining C/AS2–C/AS7 is summarised in this fact sheet.
Record of amendments is a record of changes to the acceptable solutions, verification methods and handbooks.
The Building Code is published in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 1992.
The Building Code clauses include objectives, functional requirements and performance criteria. These are mandatory provisions that all new building work must comply with.
The acceptable solutions and verification methods provided on this page are deemed to comply with Building Code clause C.
MBIE has historical versions of the code clause documents which can be located under 'Previous Versions' and 'Version History'. Alternatively if you cannot find the document you are looking for, you can send an email with the year and code clause you are after to info@building.govt.nz.
Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods (AS and VMs) were called compliance documents. Some still have the “compliance document” title but the AS or VMs they contain are valid and unaffected by the name change.
Standards are frequently referred to in Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods. They provide practical information and guidelines for building solutions.
Over 120 building standards used for Building Code compliance are now available for free download.
See the free standards relating to Code Clause C3.
All standards, including the funded ones, can be accessed through the Standards New Zealand website.
These documents are provided to assist Building Consent Authorities, building owners, designers and persons who carry out building work.
A determination is a binding decision made by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. It provides a way of solving disputes or questions about the rules that apply to buildings, how buildings are used, building accessibility, health and safety.
Product certification is a voluntary scheme that provideds an easily-understood and robust way to show that a building product or system meets the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people:
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