20 years ago:
• Two law changes went ahead despite firm opposition from the Master Builders’ Federation. The Industry Training Act was “doomed to failure from the start”, according to the Federation, because of the deletion of a provision for a compulsory industry training levy.
The second law amendment exempted electricity and gas work from Building Act consent control. “To say the construction industry is alarmed by the fact that electricians and gasfitters will be able to certify their own work is an understatement,” MBF chief executive Trevor Allsebrook said.
• BRANZ set up a new company to provide specialised appraisal, testing and consultancy services. Known as Building Technology Ltd, the new company helped to separate BRANZ’s fee earning activities.
15 years ago:
• A qualification in occupational safety and health in the construction industry was being targeted for introduction in 1998. The NZMBF, BCITO and the OSH division of the Department of Labour had been discussing the development of unit standards leading to a qualification registered on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s National Qualifications Framework.
10 years ago:
• Innovision, a Carter Holt Harvey business, launched its Cavity Drainage System to “make it easier for architects and builders to design and construct weathertight buildings”.
A tried and proven technique, the system had been an important part of the solution to the weathertightness problems in Vancouver, Canada.
5 years ago:
• New insulation requirements and moves to make it easier and cheaper to install solar water heating systems were part of major changes to the Building Code and building compliance documents announced by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove. The Labour Government said the changes were the most significant improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings in 30 years, and the latest steps in the Labour-led Government’s sustainability agenda.
• Auckland City Council introduced a new process to check recladding of buildings to give current and future owners greater confidence in the quality of remedial work. The council advised industry that it required all remedial work for reclads to have a quality assurance plan and three additional inspection types to ensure code compliance.
