Safe design of all barriers inside and outside the building.
F4 confirms buildings are constructed to reduce the likelihood of accidental fall. It requires barriers where people could fall 1 metre or more. The provisions include barriers for roofs with permanent access. It sets the characteristics required of barriers, for example, being continuous for the full extent of hazard, and having appropriate rigidity, strength and height.
From 1 January 2017, the Building (Pools) Amendment Act 2016 deleted clauses F4.3.3, F4.3.4(f), and F4.3.5 relating to swimming pool barriers.
Restricting access to residential pools has further information for pool owners and territorial authorities.
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 F4.
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.
These documents are provided for assistance. They are not intended as a means of establishing compliance with the Building Act or Building Code, and they do not have the same status accorded to Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods under the Act.
Determinations are made by MBIE on matters of doubt or dispute to do with building work. Rulings are legally binding in relation to each case. Circumstances in one case may differ to others
All building products and building methods that have current CodeMark certification will be listed with their most up to date certificate in the Product Certificate Register on Te Pae.
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:
This will print only the current page of this guidance document.
Print this page
