A Word from the Chair

Tēnā koutou katoa (Greetings to you all)

Where has 2024 gone?! Personally, I am glad to see the back of 2024. It has been a tough year for many and it is now time for us all to take a big breath and have some quality down time for ourselves and whanau.

Reflecting on the year gone, I am pleased to report a significant growth in our membership. This increase is a testament to the commitment of everyone involved in the Association and further demonstrates that those in the building compliance space are investing in continuous professional development (CPD) and are wanting to stay abreast of industry-related changes and goings on. We have expanded and developed new training opportunities for our members, voiced our member issues with solutions to various government agencies and held another successful annual conference among other accomplishments. The ABC Committee have now wrapped up for the year with our final face to face meeting held in Tauranga last week followed by a thank you event for our Partners where we went out deep sea fishing and held a BBQ afterwards. Steve Bailey from FFP won biggest fish of the day!

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our members for your continued support throughout the year. I also wish to express my sincerest gratitude to our partners, the dedicated ABC committee, our trainers, and the ABC employees who contribute so much to our mission.

The momentum of the Association of Building Compliance is undeniable, and we are just getting started. Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited about the initiatives and changes we are advocating for the betterment of public safety and for those working in our industry.

For those of you working during the Christmas New Year period, we appreciate your efforts in keeping our buildings safe and hope you have a peaceful and uneventful time.  Wishing everyone a relaxing and sun-filled Christmas holiday, and I look forward to reconnecting with you in the new year.

Thank you for your dedication to making buildings safe in Aotearoa, New Zealand. You are our unsung heroes.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ngā mihi nui

Laura Williams

Chair

Kia ora koutou,

Just to re-iterate what Laura has said, it has been a busy year and also one that has brought about a few challenges. One of the challenges that I want to address with you is the new Building Act Section 108A, you can view it here. In particular I want to point out 2 sections, the first:

Section 108A(1). An independently qualified person must not state (whether in a building warrant of fitness or any other document) that the inspection, maintenance, or reporting procedures in a compliance schedule relating to a specified system (for example, a lift or ventilation system) have been complied with during the previous 12 months if those inspection, maintenance, or reporting procedures for that system have not been fully complied with during that period.

So what does this really mean? If the specified system is not compliant or the inspections have been missed, then you cannot sign a Form 12A. What does this mean for your client?

1. They could fire you and get another IQP. This has potential to delay the submission of the Form 12 pass the anniversary

2. You could issue a S-RaD with a B-RaD. No Form 12 can be issued then.

The outcome of doing your IQP inspection correctly could lead to the following section:

Section 108(5) A person commits an offence if the person—

The minimum fines for theses have been increased from $250.00 to $1000.00 Even if you display a B-RaD you will get fined from some councils if not all soon. 

If you are doing your job correctly in accordance with the Compliance Schedule and the relevant Standards, then there will be no change to business for you. This section 108A(1) is for those who wish to not follow the correct procedures.

We all know that the Compliance Schedules that are currently out there lack information and are often generic. We also know that the information in the fire report is often not correctly passed on or the fire report was written incorrectly or lacking in information. That leads me to the second section which I want to address:

Section 108(3)(ii) reasonable reliance on information supplied to the defendant by another person; or

If the fire report is not provided or you haven't requested, it then you should so that you have the correct information or you can challenge it. If the Compliance Schedule is incorrect and/or generic, then it is time to work with your council to improve it and get it right. You need to detail exactly what you are inspecting or not inspecting on site so that you don't get it wrong. Often the IQP has the right information or more detailed information that what is on the Compliance Schedule. I would recommend that you work with the council to update the Compliance Schedule, yes it might be getting big now, and for the councils to be flexible to help the IQP's to get it right. Because under the Act the role of the IQP is to "certify that the inspection, maintenance, and reporting procedures stated in the compliance schedule have been fully complied with...". Providing the information to detail out what you are doing on site will be more beneficial to you than not.

Additionally, IQP's are the qualified people who the owners of building seek for advice and also, they should advise the owner when they are not complying i.e. illegal building work. 

I believe this new section is a timely reminder to us all that we need to work together to improve the documentation on buildings and to do the right thing by the owners, IQP's and Building Officials. Remember, we are all working for the same goal, to make buildings safer for those that use them.

Thank you to everyone for your on-going support of the Association and I wish you all a Meri Kirihimete!!!

Nga mihi ora mai,

Trent Fearnley

UPCOMING TRAINING WORKSHOPS – REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE!

We are excited to announce our upcoming scheduled online workshops over the next couple of months to provide greater flexibility and convenience. 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!

Tuesday 25 February 2025 - ONLINE - BWoF Fundamentals - Half Day Workshop - 8.30am - 12.00pm

This workshop is designed for both IQP’s and Building Compliance Officials. Whether you are new or experienced in the industry this is a good course designed to upskill or refresh your skills in the Building Warrant of Fitness regime.It is an essential course if your are wanting to start your pathway towards becoming registered as an IQP. This session covers the background of the Building Act, Schedule 1, Specified Systems, the BWOF process from start to end, Annual Reports, Form 11’s, status reporting and much more.

Tuesday 25 February 2025 - ONLINE – Owners Compliance Checks - Half Day Workshop - 1.00pm - 4.00pm 

This workshop is practical training on the purpose and procedures required for the completion of monthly inspections (owners checks) on specified systems as required by the Building Act and Building Regulations. The course will cover key elements of the NZ Building Act, NZ Compliance Schedule Handbook, Inspections as listed on a building compliance schedule document, including SS14/2 signs for specified systems, SS15/2 final exits and exitways to reach a place of safety, SS15/3 and SS15/5 fire and smoke separations relating to means of escape, SS15/4 signs for communicating information for evacuation (exit, directional, no exit signs), and look at the functional relationship with other specified systems in respect to means of escape such as SS3 Doors.

REGISTER FOR BOTH THE BWOF FUNDAMENTALS AND OWNERS COMPLIANCE CHECKS WORKSHOPS AND RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT!

Friday 7 & 14 March 2025 - IQP Backflow Prevention Workshop - Auckland - Full Day Workshops - 8.00am - 4.30pm.

This course is intended for those who want to register with Councils to become IQP certified in Backflow prevention and gain the following Unit Standards:
NZQA Unit Standard 23847 - Prepare to test, and inspect and test, water supply backflow prevention devices.
NZQA Unit Standard 23848 - Describe suitability, installation, and testing of water supply backflow prevention devices, and fault identification.
It is a 2-day workshop with 16 hours of self-directed learning via Google Classroom.

Wednesday 12 March 2025 - Christchurch *HYBRID - Means of Escape to a Final Exit - Half Day Workshop - 8.30am - 12.00pm

The Means of Escape to a Final Exits workshop will include all aspects of means of escape from a building including open paths, safe paths, exitways and final exits. The workshop is designed to be both theoretical and interactive. It includes a technical presentation, a building case study, product examples, a technical quiz challenge and an assessment.

Wednesday 12 March 2025 - Christchurch *HYBRID - Emergency Lighting SS4 - Half Day Workshop - 1.00pm - 4.30pm.

The Emergency Lighting workshop will include Building Code clause F6 visibility in escape routes, central supply and single point systems and illuminated exit signage. Each workshop is designed to be both theory and interactive. It will include a technical presentation, two separate building case studies, product examples, a technical quiz challenge and an assessment.

REGISTER FOR BOTH THE MEANS OF ESCAPE TO A FINAL EXIT AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING WORKSHOPS AND RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT!

Friday 14 March 2025 - SS7 Automatic Backflow Preventers - Refresher Theory and Practical - Auckland - Full Day Workshop - 8.00am - 2.30pm

This is a 1-day workshop with theory and practical hands-on testing.

Wednesday 19 March 2025 - ONLINE - Compliance Schedule Best Practice  - Half Day Workshop - 8.30am - 12.30pm

This is a 4-hour workshop that provides a practical hands-on opportunity to work through and complete a detailed compliance schedule document working with the new MBIE ‘best practice’ exemplar compliance document, guideline and ABC Code of Practice, learn from those who wrote it. It also provides you with the tools needed to write your own Compliance Schedule.

Friday 21 March 2025 - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Introduction to Passive Fire Protection - Auckland - Half Day Workshop - 8.00am - 12.00pm

This course is a step-by step guide through the purpose and broad concepts of Passive Fire Protection providing a general understanding of the different elements that make up passive fire systems for different buildings, types of construction, fire stopping systems, fire rated dampers, fire rated ducting, fire rated structural elements and the latest trends and products. Suitable as a general introduction or refresher on passive fire protection.

Friday 21 March 2025 - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Inspect, Maintain and Report - Auckland - Half Day Workshop - 1.00pm - 4.30pm

This workshop looks at the BWOF requirements relating to Passive Fire inspections and reporting. What and where inspection personnel are obliged to inspect under the BWOF and compliance regime. This workshop includes the purpose and components of fire stopping systems, how to approach the process and procedures of inspections. Essential areas in a building to inspect and why, a practical look at common defects and maintenance, key points regarding fire and smoke doors, what inspectors should know in relation to fire rated dampers, duct protection and fire stopping of service penetrations, information recommended for compliance schedule document.

REGISTER FOR BOTH THE PASSIVE FIRE WORKSHOPS AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT!

Friday 28 March 2025 - Auckland *HYBRID – Understanding a Fire Engineering Design Report - Full Day Workshop -  8.30am – 4.30pm

A FEDR forms an integral part of the documentation detailing a building’s consent, construction and compliance history. As an IQP, you can use information contained in the building’s FEDR to inform decisions around how you conduct inspections, what you should expect to find and how you interpret features of the building.

Wednesday 30 April 2025 - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Introduction to Passive Fire Protection - Christchurch - Half Day Workshop - 8.00am - 12.00pm

This course is a step-by step guide through the purpose and broad concepts of Passive Fire Protection providing a general understanding of the different elements that make up passive fire systems for different buildings, types of construction, fire stopping systems, fire rated dampers, fire rated ducting, fire rated structural elements and the latest trends and products. Suitable as a general introduction or refresher on passive fire protection.

Wednesday 30 April 2025 - SS15/3 and SS15/5 Fire and Smoke Separations - Inspect, Maintain and Report - Christchurch - Half Day Workshop - 1.00pm - 4.30pm

This workshop looks at the BWOF requirements relating to Passive Fire inspections and reporting. What and where inspection personnel are obliged to inspect under the BWOF and compliance regime. This workshop includes the purpose and components of fire stopping systems, how to approach the process and procedures of inspections. Essential areas in a building to inspect and why, a practical look at common defects and maintenance, key points regarding fire and smoke doors, what inspectors should know in relation to fire rated dampers, duct protection and fire stopping of service penetrations, information recommended for compliance schedule document.

REGISTER FOR BOTH THE PASSIVE FIRE WORKSHOPS AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT!

Thursday 8 & Friday 9 May 2025 - IQP Backflow Prevention Workshop - Christchurch - Full Day Workshops - 8.00am - 4.30pm.

This course is intended for those who want to register with Councils to become IQP certified in Backflow prevention and gain the following Unit Standards:
NZQA Unit Standard 23847 - Prepare to test, and inspect and test, water supply backflow prevention devices.
NZQA Unit Standard 23848 - Describe suitability, installation, and testing of water supply backflow prevention devices, and fault identification.
It is a 2-day workshop with 16 hours of self-directed learning via Google Classroom.

Friday 9 May 2025 - SS7 Automatic Backflow Preventers - Refresher Theory and Practical - Christchurch - Full Day Workshop - 8.00am - 2.30pm

This is a 1-day workshop with theory and practical hands-on testing.

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

 If you have any questions regarding the above workshops or need assistance please email us - admin@abciqp.org.nz 

Conference 2025 - Auckland

We are in full swing mode now booking in speakers for the conference. So far we have confirmed speakers from Clevertronics, Hydroflow, Fire-engineering, Orbitz, HVAC industry and Water NZ. We should have the line up published in the new year, this is just a taster of what we have scheduled for you.

If you are interested in speaking or know of someone who wants to speak, please download the call for papers form here for more information.

Our exhibitor brochure is out now and can be downloaded here. You can also view all the conference details on our conference website. Check out our site for those exhibitors already confirmed. Sponsorship details are also on the exhibitor brochure.

Association of Building Compliance 2025 Conference: "Unified Compliance - Strengthening Standards across the BWOF industry"

We are excited to announce the Association of Building Compliance's flagship event next year, our 2025 Conference: "Unified Compliance - Strengthening Standards across the BWOF industry". Next year’s conference is dedicated to Uniting all IQP’s and Councils with a common goal of building compliance and building a cohesive framework for compliance through collaboration and standardised laws.

One direction, one team – He waka eke noa.

This event will bring together Independently Qualified Persons (IQPs), Council representatives and others with a shared vision of enhancing building compliance through collaboration and standardised laws. Together, we can build a cohesive framework for compliance that ensures the safety and reliability of buildings across our communities.

Conference 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. We are offering Extra Earlybird pricing until 1 February 2025 (same price as our 2024 Earlybird price).

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 Grand Millennium Hotel with a special price. 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.

Conference 2024 Presentations and Videos now online

The conference presentations and videos are now available to view for all paid conference delegates. You should see a Tab on the top our webpage - "Conference 2024". This Tab is only available to conference delegates.

External Wall Fire Safety - Fire risk appraisal of external wall construction and cladding  **Note new dates**

INTRODUCING A RISK-BASED APPROACH FOR REVIEWING SYSTEMS ON EXISTING BUILDINGS IN THE UK TO THE NEW ZEALAND MARKET

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 there has been a significant evolution in legislation, guidance and practice which has changed how we design new buildings and combat existing buildings. Currently the design of any new building attracts strict combustibility requirements within the defined external wall zone, whereas reviewing existing buildings requires a reasonable and proportionate approach to the risks presented based on a holistic building review. This session will introduce current UK practice for both new build design and existing buildings and explore whether such practices could be introduced into the New Zealand market.

We will be hosting 2 seminars in the following locations:

Auckland 8 May 2025 - This will be a hybrid one to allow people to attend either in person or virtually

Wellington 6 May 2025

Speaker - James Groves is a Fire Engineer in the UK with significant experience of external wall related fire safety, he is a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. This course would be beneficial for building professionals who would like to know more about assessing the risks posed by external wall systems.

#Architects, #fireengineers, #BuildingOfficials and #IQP's are encouraged to register. Check out the seminars page for more details and to register here.

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.