Forum calls for national building code

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 13

Forum calls for national building code

PA Wellington A simple, national building code is needed to replace the present system of building controls, a forum considering the subject has decided. The forum, organised by the Internal Affairs Department, ' included 'representatives of the .building industry, local government, and the Government.. They had been asked to suggest a list of guidelines helpful for possible revision of the code. Many problems related to building controls were identified. However, the forum appeared unable to reach many definite solutions. The forum agreed that a new and simple national building code be prepared, involving affected parties, with a minimum number of functional requirements, and that a means-of-compliance format be prepared for local authorities, Other suggestions included: appointing an “ombudsman” to resolve disputes quickly; the registration of builders; a review of town-planning procedures: the limiting or removal of local-authority liability on buildings as a prerequisite to any relaxation of standards by local ■ bodies; and the Government's setting out a list of criteria for building controls. The technical adviser of the Standards Association. Mr Roger Hay, said that the forum appeared to comprise representatives concerned solely with the technical requirements for the construction of buildings. "It is apparent that there is a need for a separate forum to look at the needs of town-planning procedures and opinions,” he said. "Many of the complaints about delays and infringement of rights should more correctly have been addressed to townplanning procedures and concepts. It is regrettable that the forum did not make this point more strongly.” Mr G. W. F. Thompson. Under-Secretary to Mr Highet, whose portfolio includes local Government,.

said, that a main concern for the forum was local-author-ity legal liability for'unsatisfactory building work. He said that many local authorities were becoming “targets." "‘lf builders and contractors accepted responsibility for building works, backed by suitable insurance or some guarantee sys.tem, this could reduce the local authority involvement,” he said. Speaking on the forum's conclusions, Mr Thompson said, “The Government has a clear objective: to reduce controls, to reduce costs, and to make progress. . "We are appointing a reviewer of building controls who will consult widely, monitor the similar overseas developments, and make recommendations for Government action."-