Previous determinations

This determination considers an authority’s decision not to grant building consent to a leaseholder for alterations to part of a building, based on the authority’s view that the seismic performance of the whole building was required to be upgraded. The determination discusses the requirement in section 115 for a building undergoing a change of use to comply, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, with the provisions of the Building Code relating to structural performance.

Note: This determination was subject to appeal. The Determination was confirmed and the appeal was dismissed. Read the appeal judgement.

This determination considers the issue of a building consent and code compliance certificate for a motel in respect of a fire alarm system. The matter turns on whether the building work as approved in the building consent complied with Clauses C2 Means of escape from fire and F7 Warning systems, and whether the construction of the motel without a fire alarm system being installed met the performance requirements of those clauses when the code compliance certificate was issued.

This determination concerns the authority's decision to refuse to issue a code compliance certificate for construction of an outbuilding that was later converted to a sleepout. The determination considers the compliance of the building work identified by the authority in its reasons for refusing to issue the code compliance certificate.

This determination considers the compliance of a soil fixture space which does not contain a hand basin. The determination discusses the term "immediately adjacent" and whether the soil fixture space without a hand basin complies with Building Code Clause G1 Personal hygiene by way of the Acceptable Solution G1/AS1 and if not whether the space complies with Clause G1 as an alternative solution.

This determination considers whether the authority was correct to refuse to grant a building consent for the construction of a number of retaining walls on a site with respect to ground water collected by drainage installed behind the walls. The determination considers whether the ground water collected falls within the definition of 'surface water' as it applies to Building Code Clause E1 Surface water.

This determination considers the authority's purported refusal to grant a building consent for proposed building work because the authority did not agree with the importance level proposed by the structural engineer. The determination discusses whether the subject building should be classified as Importance Level 2 or Importance Level 3 as set out in Australian/New Zealand Standard 1170.0. This standard is referenced by Verification Method B1/VM1, which is a means of compliance with Building Code Clause B1 Structure.

This determination considers whether a territorial authority was correct to issue a notice to fix for building works that involved the alterations and modifications of an existing specified system – an automatic sprinkler system – where a building consent was not obtained prior to the works commencing. The determination also considers if the building works could have been undertaken in accordance with clause 10 of Schedule 1 of the Building Act.

This determination considers the compliance of a new pool barrier with Building Code Clause F9 Means of restricting access to residential pools. The determination discusses the parts of the barrier consisting of boundary fences and junctions with internal sections of the barrier, and trees on the inside of the boundary fences.

This determination considers the issue of a dangerous building notice for an unreinforced masonry building, specifically in relation to the building work that was detailed in the notice as being required to reduce or remove the danger. The determination discusses whether the installation of hoarding and fencing meant the building was no longer dangerous, and what the Building Act requires of a dangerous building notice.

Note: Appeal dismissed.

Note (added 11/08/2022): Please note that this determination incorrectly refers to section 450A of the Building Act 2004 as a compliance pathway for the pool barrier in this determination. The acceptable solution provided for in section 450A was revoked by way of Gazette notice on 27 April 2017. As the determination does not conclude that the pool barrier was compliant via the acceptable solution in section 450A, the outcome of the determination is not affected.

This determination considers the compliance of a swimming pool barrier consisting of a pool cover and either of two proposed alarm systems. The determination discusses management practices and human behaviour with regard to the Building Code obligations, and considers whether a waiver or modification of the Building Code is appropriate in the circumstances.