Recent Update of the Building Code

I marked a date for myself. I enjoyed a webinar today on Building Code Update 2025 hosted by MBIE Devin Glennie, and Katie Symons. I found the updates gave food for thought for the fire safety industry.

BPS refers to Building Product Specifications. BPS are meant as a single point of reference for the construction materials and products that can meet the required safety and performance expectations of the NZ Building Code. It helps in simplifying the requirements of referencing and using both local and overseas products within the scope of the Building Code.

In the case of overseas products, the Building Product Specifications also help in their acceptance and ensure the products meet the compliance requirements, allowing their use in New Zealand building projects.

The changes will facilitate the use of foreign building products by allowing
foreign building products to be used under our regulations. For me, as a Fire Safety engineer, I agree that the cost of building is too high and genuine need to reduce the cost of construction and compliance. At the same time, it increases concern about using materials and systems to achieve the required fire safety of the structure; It will be a significant challenge in ensuring that the specified products will be accurately specified and fire-resistant for the outcome. We will have to constantly update our practices regarding the collection and use of standards to be more careful with standard references and how these standards will be used for good.

More emphasis is placed on fire engineers for better coordination of design and safety features of new buildings than ever before. This proactive shift here is the importance of constant training along with inter-disciplinary collaboration. Fire safety is a collective responsibility, and we need to be proactive in the face of policy changes to ensure that we provide the safest solutions.

For those interested, click the link for more information
https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/building-product-specificationshttps://lnkd.in/e2fPriC5