A Word from the Chair

Tēnā koutou katoa (Greetings to you all),

Welcome to our newest members. It is really great to see our community expanding.

In industry goings on, it appears there is an unusually high influx of fresh perspectives with varying interpretations across different Territorial Authorities. These varying perspectives further emphasize the pressing need for national cohesion and clarity with regards to compliance standards as well as firmer and clearer guidelines perhaps from the Ministry. Near gone are the days of being able to take a pragmatic approach to compliance.  Pragmatism involves being flexible and adaptive, willing to adjust strategies or methods based on the specific circumstances at hand in order to achieve desired outcomes.

For those operating across multiple Territorial Authorities, the Challenges faced are great and real. The divergent interpretations often result in confusion and inefficiencies for our members’ businesses. Navigating through a maze of interpretations not only complicates compliance efforts but also poses significant hurdles for businesses aiming for administrative and field personnel consistency and efficiency.

In a bid to address the growing complexity regarding building compliance interpretation, the ABC aims to serve as a unified voice advocating for clearer guidelines and streamlined processes within the building compliance sphere. Through collaborative initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms such as our free webinars, the association endeavors to mitigate confusion and foster a more cohesive understanding of our regulatory environment.

I urge each and every one of our members to actively engage with the association and make the most of the resources and opportunities available to them. Whether it's attending seminars, webinars, participating in training programs, or contributing to industry discussions, your involvement is crucial to the success of our collective endeavors and understanding.

Please do make the effort of attending your regional forum in person if possible but we do have the option of attending online. Registering for forums is easy and done via our website once you login. Please do this as it contributes to your personal CPD record found in your unique member profile.

In closing, again I extend my sincere gratitude to all our members for their continued support and dedication to the principles and objectives of the Association of Building Compliance. Together, let us strive to uphold the highest standards of compliance and excellence in the built environment.

Ngā mihi nui

Laura Williams

Chair

Kia ora koutou,

It has been an eventful few weeks with the spotlight shining on building compliance and in the headlines again. We saw another fire in an accommodation building in Parnell in Auckland and a dangerous building notice issued on another in Central Auckland. I have previously said that Loafers Lodge was a wakeup call for our industry and that we were all put on notice. All councils are now increasing the number of building audits to meet the targets set by MBIE and are increasing their standards. I recommend that you maintain your high standards, if not raise them slightly higher. Keep your communication up with the building owner and keep the pressure on them to maintain their buildings. We know building owners are reluctant to spend money, but as you can see, councils are not afraid to put them on notice and close buildings. 

I have also heard through various channels about the outcomes of many of the building audits and most are failing on minor non-compliances. Issues such as the Compliance Schedule not being in the place as stated on the Compliance Schedule and records not being available on request. I recommend you all check your Compliance Schedules to make sure that they reflect what is in place and even though it has been accepted in the past without you having to make changes, that window is now closed, and councils are now holding you to account. 

Don't let complacency put our industry back in the spotlight. You are all seasoned professionals who have been doing exceptional work for many years, you are a big part of the reason for why we have had such low fire statistics. Keep up to date with the latest news in the industry by attending CPD training events and our regional forums. 

Nga mihi ora mai,

Trent Fearnley

Association of Building Compliance 2024 Conference: "Mitigating Risk - Prevention, Procedures, Practice"

We are excited to announce the Association of Building Compliance's flagship event of the year, our 2024 Conference: "Mitigating Risk - Prevention, Procedures, Practice". This year’s conference is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge, practices, and standards of professionals across the Building Compliance Industry. Our focus is on exploring innovative strategies and practical solutions to mitigate risks, with a strong emphasis on prevention, established procedures, and best practices.

This premier event offers an unparalleled opportunity for our members, including Independently Qualified Persons (IQPs), Facility Managers, Compliance Officers and Managers, Compliance Administrators, Fire Safey Officers, Territorial Authorities, Technicians and all professionals involved in the building compliance process, to engage with industry leaders, share insights, and gain valuable knowledge. Anyone with an interest in building compliance will find the conference to be of immense value.

Key Highlights:

• Expert-Led Sessions: Learn from leading experts who will share their insights on the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies in building compliance.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, industry leaders, and innovators in the building compliance field.
• Interactive Workshops: Participate in engaging workshops designed to equip you with knowledge and new skills to apply in your role.

Registration Now Open! We are pleased to inform you that our registration portal is now open. Secure your spot to be part of this pivotal event that promises to shape the future of Building Compliance in New Zealand.

To register, please visit our website and to the conference section here. Early bird registrations are available until 1 July, offering special rates to our members, affiliates, and partner association members.

In relation to accommodation options, we have secured a Delegate rate for you at the Rutherford Hotel with a special price if you book before 1 May 2024. View your accommodation options here.

Do not miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of building compliance, innovation, and excellence. Join us in setting new standards and contributing to a safer, more compliant future. We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an insightful and transformative event.

UPCOMING TRAINING WORKSHOPS – REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE!

These workshops are designed to enhance your skills, update your industry knowledge, and help with your IQP registration. Whether you're aiming to upskill or update your qualifications, our sessions offer valuable insights and networking opportunities to keep you leading in building compliance.

Don't miss this opportunity to advance your professional development. Register now!

Friday 3 May - Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 - Face-to-Face in Christchurch

Friday 3 May - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Passive Fire Protection - Face-to-Face in Auckland - 15% discount for attending both workshops

Friday 3 May - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Introduction to Passive Fire Protection - Face-to-Face in Auckland - Morning only

Friday 3 May - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Inspect, Maintain and Report - Face-to-Face in Auckland - Afternoon only

Thursday 9 May - Means of Escape to a Final Exit and Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 – Face-to-Face in Whangarei - 15% discount for both attending both workshops

Thursday 9 May - Means of Escape to a Final Exit – Face-to-Face in Whangarei - Morning only

Thursday 9 May - Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 – Face-to-Face in Whangarei - Afternoon only

Thursday 9 May - BWOF fundamentals and Owners Compliance Checks  – Online - 15% discount for both attending both workshops

Thursday 9 May - BWOF fundamentals – Online - Morning only

Thursday 6 June - Owners Compliance Checks – Online - Afternoon only

Tuesday 14 May - Means of Escape to a Final Exit and Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 – Face-to-Face in Wellington - 15% discount for both attending both workshops

Tuesday 14 May - Means of Escape to a Final Exit– Face-to-Face in Wellington - Morning only

Tuesday 14 May - Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 – Face-to-Face in Wellington - Afternoon only

Friday 24 May - BWOF Fundamentals and Owners Compliance Checks – Face-to-Face in Dunedin - 15% discount for both attending both workshops

Friday 24 May - BWOF Fundamentals – Face-to-Face in Dunedin - Morning only

Friday 24 May - Owners Compliance Checks – Face-to-Face in Dunedin - Afternoon only

Monday 6 June - Means of Escape to a Final Exit and Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 – Online - 15% discount for both attending both workshops

Monday 6 June - Means of Escape to a Final Exit - Online - Morning only

Monday 6 June - Signage for Compliance, SS14.2 & SS15.4 - Online - Afternoon only

Monday 6 June - HVAC and Smoke Control - requirements for SS5, SS9, SS11 and SS13 – Face-to-Face in Auckland

Ongoing - Online Modules Compliance Fundamentals - IQP Practising Certificate Level 1

For a list of all courses throughout the year and a detailed description of them, please visit our website via the link below.

Workshops/Seminars » Association of Building Compliance (abciqp.org.nz)

We just thought we would give you an update on what is now in our Members section of the website. We have been busy bees behind the scenes and have posted a lot of new resources on there. Here is a highlight of the new posts:

• Our Spotlight on Passive Fire Safety series videos - the first 2 of 5 have been posted in our Members Only Section.
• Conference 2023 individual speaker videos - if you missed a speaker at the conference and want to listen to them again, here they all are.
• The February round of regional forum videos and presentations.
• Also, in case you missed the post on it, we have the videos of the Equitable Egress seminar.

We are delighted to welcome our new members to the Association. Your addition to our community is exciting, and we look forward to both sharing our expertise and learning from your experiences. We are committed to continuous improvement and development, and we believe that together, we can achieve great strides in building compliance excellence.

Diamond Partners

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