Description

MBIE is amending the acceptable solutions and verification methods to support plumbing and drainage work in New Zealand. These changes are the latest in a series of continuous improvements to ensure the Building Code compliance pathways for the plumbing sector are fit for purpose and up to date to help New Zealanders have safe and reliable plumbing systems.

Feedback from the consultation has been considered and has resulted in some modifications to the content which was originally proposed. The main changes relate to water supplies, and individuals are encouraged to read the outcomes documents for specific feedback.

The adoption of the latest version of the AS/NZS 3500 plumbing and drainage standards is a key part of these amendments. MBIE participated in the development of these standards and the new versions include a number of New Zealand-specific requirements, making some of the previous New Zealand Building Code modifications to the standards no longer necessary. These standards are cited as compliance pathways in several Acceptable Solutions.

While the decisions on these proposals have been made, new acceptable solutions and verification methods will be published in November 2023. The release of these documents will be supported with education and information content about the changes.

Scope

The changes for this plumbing and drainage update focus on improving the means of complying with the following three Building Code clauses:

• E1 Surface Water – Disposal of rainwater and protecting property from damage caused by surface water.
• G12 Water Supplies – Requires the safe supply, storage, reticulation and delivery of hot and cold water.
• G13 Foul Water – Requires the safe disposal of foul water to prevent illness and the loss of amenity due to odour and accumulated matter.