A Whitepaper on the Nz Building Code B2 (Durability) Issues, Solutions and Where to Go from Here
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A WHITEPAPER ON THE NZ BUILDING CODE B2 (DURABILITY) ISSUES, SOLUTIONS AND WHERE TO GO FROM HERE Prepared by Raed El Sarraf, Corrosion and Asset Integrity Consultant, WSP in New Zealand Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Clause B2.2; Functional Requirement ................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Clause B2.3.1; Performance ............................................................................................................................................ 4 2 A Conundrum: Producer Statements and How to Demonstrate Compliance? .................................. 5 3 Proposed Pathways and Solutions ........................................................................................................................................ 6 3.1 Review of the B2 Durability Clause ......................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Demonstrating Competency to sign off PS1 and PS2 ............................................................................... 6 3.3 Signing off PS3 and PS4 ...................................................................................................................................................7 3.4 Other Materials ........................................................................................................................................................................7 4 Potential Timeline .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 4.1 How will this work in practice? ................................................................................................................................... 8 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 ©WSP New Zealand Limited 2019 1 ABSTRACT The New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) sets the performance standards that all structures are required to comply with. Its main purpose is to ensure they are safe, healthy and durable for everyone who may use them. While Clause B2 applies to all aspects of a building, from foundations to pipework and electrical cables, this paper addresses B2 as it applies to a primary, load-bearing structure. The guidance given in the B1 Structures clause is clear on how engineers, and users, can both work toward its compliance (which includes a rigorous peer review process) and demonstrate how compliance can be achieved. Unfortunately, it appears that there are limitations with the B2 Durability clause of the NZBC, which has led to misunderstandings on achieving and demonstrating compliance, especially regarding Acceptable Solution’s or using the Verification Methods for some common construction materials. This is especially an issue when Councils are requesting Producer Statements that are signed covering B2, but how can Engineers and Architects sign them if the means of achieving compliance is not clear? This white paper highlights the issues and challenges being experienced by Design Engineers and Architects, in meeting the expectations or requirements of Building Control Authorities (BCA). This is then followed by a proposed pathway to addressing these issues, with the aim of demonstrating compliance with the B2 Clause of the NZBC. ©WSP New Zealand Limited 2019 2 PRESENTER PROFILE Raed El Sarraf, Technical Principal - Materials and Corrosion Raed has gained a wide range of knowledge and practical experience, regarding corrosion engineering and asset integrity management of structural steel (and other metallic) structures. This includes durability assessments, specifying protective coatings systems and detailing the correct use of corrosion resistant materials, such as weathering and stainless steels. His other experience is related to the corrosion prevention and the rehabilitation of existing structures. This ranges from single lane rural bridges, rail viaducts, through to the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. His duties range from long term maintenance strategies to specification writing and setting up and overseeing quality assurance and control systems. He has also been involved in the publication of several articles, papers and guidance documents in Australasia. These include the NZ Weathering Steel Guide for Bridges, and the Weathering Steel Design Guide for Bridges in Australia as well as both the New Zealand and Australian versions of the Steelwork Corrosion and Coatings Guide, the NZ Transport Agency Protective Coatings for Steel Bridges, and the latest being SNZ TS 3404:2018 Durability requirements for steel structures and components. E: [email protected] ©WSP New Zealand Limited 2019 3 1 INTRODUCTION The New Zealand Building Code sets the performance standards and means of compliance for all structures that are covered by the Building Act. While this is commonly taken as being buildings and houses, it also includes road and rail bridges, other types of infrastructure including lighting poles and even house fences. The main purpose of the Building Code is to ensure buildings are safe, healthy and durable for everyone who may use them. The guidance given in the B1 Structures clause is clear on how engineers, and users, can work toward its compliance (which includes a rigorous peer review process). Unfortunately, it appears that the B2 Durability clause of the NZ Building Code (current edition dated 1 January 2017) has some limitations; especially with regards to the use of structural steel and other metals (such as aluminium, stainless steel, etc). There are two main requirements that all structures need to meet to ensure compliance witht his part of the Building Code, these are: 1.1 Clause B2.2; Functional Requirement Building materials, components and construction methods shall be sufficiently durable to ensure that the building, without reconstruction or major renovation, satisfies the other functional requirements of this code throughout the life of the building. 1.2 Clause B2.3.1; Performance Building elements must, with only normal maintenance, continue to satisfy the performance requirements of this code for the lesser of the specified intended life of the building, if stated, or… This is then followed by guidance on the period that the different building elements should be designed for, which is typically taken as 5, 15 or 50 years. It should be noted that bridges are typically taken as having an intended life of 100 years. While the above requirements are clearly stated, the guidance for using structural steel and other metals is limited. For example: • There are no references to the relevant structural steel, other metals and protective coatings related durability standards within B2. • There are no Acceptable Solutions for structural steel structures, the use of protective coatings and/or recommended detailing. Having said that, it is given that to satisfy the Building Code, all building elements should satisfy with what is known as the “Verification method B2/VM1”. However, currently this is open to interpretation and there is no guidance on how any organisations and/or practitioners become qualified to undertake steelwork (and metals) durability design. ©WSP New Zealand Limited 2019 4 2 A Conundrum: Producer Statements and How to Demonstrate Compliance? Upon the completion of the design of a structure, such as a structural design to the B1 Structure Clause of the NZBC, two Producer Statements (PS) are required being: • PS1 Design • PS2 Design Review These documents are required to be signed by a suitably competent and qualified person. For example, upon the completion of a structural design, a PS1 and PS2 are signed by a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and/or suitably qualified practitioner on the BCA’s register. These personnel have clearly demonstrated their competencies and experience to Engineers New Zealand, thus are deemed to be suitability qualified in their area of practice. When accepted by the Building Consent Authority, it can issue a Building Consent. Following construction, two further Producer Statements, PS3 Construction and PS4 Construction Review, that confirm that the design has been has been complied with are required, before a Code Compliance Certificate is issued. This is standard practice, with an accepted and clear pathway for engineers and architects to demonstrate their competency (e.g. CPEng), and a way to demonstrate compliance through the B1 Structure Clause. However, what is the pathway to demonstrating both competency for durability design, and compliance with B2 Durability? At the time of writing, it is understood that discussions are being held between different organisations about why practitioners are not signing off Producer Statements for durability, and how to demonstrate compliance with the NZBC. This discussion is between the Auckland Council, Christchurch City Council, and Ministry of Business Innovation and