CCC - Repairs and Rebuilds: Building standards and regulations
On the Council's web page Answers to questions raised at recent Council community meetings there is some information on the application of the current building code to repairs and rebuilds. That information is reproduced below. Please be aware that as time goes on what is listed below may change so check the Council's website for the latest information.
Does the current Building Code stand? Yes, the current Building Code still applies. There may be other floor level and foundation requirements for affected areas.
Is the Council going to impose new building standards for the most affected areas, e.g. for foundations? There will be new building requirements particularly around foundations in affected areas. New foundation design standards are being prepared by a special design group working with the Department of Building and Housing and the Council. New guidance documents are being produced for affected areas.
What will the new building standards include, especially for foundations? The new design standards include a range of six options including deeper piles, wider footings, honeycomb foundations, post tensioned slabs and in some cases additional compacted hard fill - depending on the situation.
Who decides if a repair is to the existing or new building code? New standards/guidelines will apply. The Council will ensure the appropriate method is used.
If there are new building standards then who pays? Rebuilds need to be built to the current building code. Most insurance policies are for total replacement and so insurance companies will have to pay for the upgrade to the new standards.
Will we have to comply with the new building regulations if the house was older? For a complete rebuild - yes.
Will we have to change to lighter cladding on damaged land? No. Different foundation designs will apply to different cladding systems.
Will double glazing be required? For new houses - yes. Rebuilds need to be built to the current building code. Most insurance policies are for total replacement and so insurance companies will have to pay for the upgrade to the new standards.
Does the current Building Code stand? Yes, the current Building Code still applies. There may be other floor level and foundation requirements for affected areas.
Is the Council going to impose new building standards for the most affected areas, e.g. for foundations? There will be new building requirements particularly around foundations in affected areas. New foundation design standards are being prepared by a special design group working with the Department of Building and Housing and the Council. New guidance documents are being produced for affected areas.
What will the new building standards include, especially for foundations? The new design standards include a range of six options including deeper piles, wider footings, honeycomb foundations, post tensioned slabs and in some cases additional compacted hard fill - depending on the situation.
Who decides if a repair is to the existing or new building code? New standards/guidelines will apply. The Council will ensure the appropriate method is used.
If there are new building standards then who pays? Rebuilds need to be built to the current building code. Most insurance policies are for total replacement and so insurance companies will have to pay for the upgrade to the new standards.
Will we have to comply with the new building regulations if the house was older? For a complete rebuild - yes.
Will we have to change to lighter cladding on damaged land? No. Different foundation designs will apply to different cladding systems.
Will double glazing be required? For new houses - yes. Rebuilds need to be built to the current building code. Most insurance policies are for total replacement and so insurance companies will have to pay for the upgrade to the new standards.
