Background

The Claddings Institute has focused much of its recent time and energy on raising awareness of the weather-tightness problems faced by the construction industry in New Zealand. This has involved the organisation of a number of industry forums and presentations, participating in a study tour to North America and publishing a summary booklet on this tour, on-going liaison with contacts established overseas, participation in the Industry Weathertight Buildings Steering Group, preparation of the proposed Industry Accreditation Scheme, providing input and/or advice regarding correct procedures to follow.

With the BIA now undertaking an inquiry or overview of the situation the focus of the Institute's activities can move to the next stage - the facilitation of programmes to help resolve the issues long-term.

From feedback received two programmes have been identified to start this process. These are;

• Development of a Weather-tightness Best Practice Guide, and
  
• Development of training courses focusing on weather-tightness principles

Weather-tightness Best Practice Guide

It is proposed that industry collectively produce a guide that provides details of the principles of weather-tightness and/or moisture management in relation to the building envelope. All sectors of the industry involved with the building envelope would prepare material on their particular sector, in consultation with industry, for inclusion in the guide. This material would be reviewed to ensure all aspects are consistent.

Material included in the guide will cover basic principles and be generic in nature. It would not be feasible to provide solutions for every situation or to cover proprietary systems. The generic information provided should not be used as solutions for proprietary systems. Specific design will still be needed and proprietary system manufacturers will need to supply standard details required for the installation of their systems.

The guide will set out which details are considered to be standard. Examples of such details will be included together with the design principles. Manufacturers would be expected to produce a similar set of standard details in their literature. When non-standard details are required because of the architecture, these would need to be specifically designed and approved along similar principles.

Weather-tight Principles Training Course

Dissemination of the principles of weather-tightness is critical for the long-term success of the programme. The training courses are intended to be used as one of the channels through which the information generated in the guide can be filtered through the industry to the site workforce. The courses will be aimed at influential members of the industry - such as regulating authorities, specifiers, manufacturers, educators etc - who will pass this information on to people they deal with on a day-to-day basis, through presentations to their peers etc.

These courses will be developed by industry in partnership with educational providers. The material included will be based on that supplied for the guide.

CINZ role in these programmes will be that of a facilitator or organiser to help get things underway. Ownership, development, and maintenance of the material will be the responsibility of the participating industry sectors.

CINZ would welcome any comments, questions or suggestions regarding either of these programmes.