How do I renovate or extend my premises and stick to code?
If you’re renovating or extending your current premises, there are still rules and regulations that have to be followed
The New Zealand Building Code
The New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) sets out standards that all new building work must meet. It’s there to make sure buildings are safe, healthy, and able to withstand conditions.
There are 2 main sections to the NZBC: mandatory provisions and the acceptable solutions and verification methods. This covers everything from structural stability and fire safety, to accessibility and energy efficiency.
When you’re renovating, it’s key to understand that any new work must comply with the current NZBC. What this doesn’t mean is that you have to upgrade the entire existing building.
The extent to which you need to comply with the NZBC depends on the scope of your renovation project.
Compliance with NZBC During Renovation
Let’s talk about some of the stuff you need to think about when deciding whether you need to bring your entire building up to code:
Minor extensions and maintenance
If your work is minor repairs or maintenance, like painting, replacing fixtures or patching walls, you usually won’t need to upgrade the entire building. Minor works are generally exempt from needing a building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. That said, any new construction or installation must still meet current NZBC standards.
Alterations
If you’re doing more significant alterations, your requirements become more stringent. According to Section 112 of the Building Act, if you’re altering a building, you have to make certain that:
- “The building, as altered, complies with the NZBC provisions relating to means of escape from fire and access and facilities for people with disabilities.”
- “The building, as altered, continues to comply with the other provisions of the NZBC to at least the same extent as before the alteration.”
Change of Use
If you decide to change the use of your building, the requirements get even more strenuous:
Change of use might mean converting an industrial space into a commercial office or vice versa. Under Section 115 of the Building Act, you have to make sure that the whole building meets the relevant provisions of the NZBC for its new use.
This includes structural performance, fire safety, access, and facilities for people with disabilities.
Local Council Regulations
In addition to the NZBC, local council regulations, which can change from region to region, also have to be met in your renovation project. Each city council in New Zealand can have specific bylaws and district plans that might affect your extension:
- Different Councils have different requirements that can impact various things, including zoning, heritage considerations, and specific environmental standards.
- Resource Consents which could mean you might need resource consent in addition to a building consent, especially if your renovation impacts the environment or involves significant changes to the building’s footprint.
It’s critical to check with your local council early on in the planning stages to find out what these requirements are, and make sure your project is going to meet both national and local regulations.
You can find out details of your local council here.
Compliance versus Practicality
“As nearly as is reasonably practicable” is a go-to phrase when discussing compliance with the NZBC during extensions. So, while there’s some flexibility based on practicality and cost, it doesn’t mean you can ignore essential safety and performance standards.
Deciding what is “reasonably practical” means you need to consider:
- Risk to life: Safety features like fire escapes, fire doors, alarms, and structural integrity are always a priority.
- Technical prospect: Sometimes, the way the existing building has been constructed makes some upgrades impractical.
- Cost: Cost alone isn’t justification for non-compliance, but disproportionate costs compared to the outcome might be considered.
Things to Remember:
- Check properly: Before starting any renovation carry out a proper assessment of your building which includes structural evaluations, fire safety assessments, and checks for accessibility and other compliance areas.
- Work with pros: Architects, engineers and compliance experts can all help to ensure your plans meet NZBC standards. We can also help guide you through the process, ensuring your renovation meets all necessary codes.
- Have a strategy: Do a strategy or GAP Analysis that states how you’ll address each compliance requirement. This might include phasing stages of your upgrade or other solutions that provide equivalent performance.
- Consult with your local Council: Regularly talk with your local council to make sure your plans are in line with their specific requirements. This helps to avoid any surprises (meaning expensive!) during the approval process.
- Keep all the documents: Detailed records of every assessment, decision, and communication will be crucial if there’s ever a question about compliance.
Extending a commercial premises can be a big project, but understanding the requirements of the Building Code and local council regulations really helps smooth out the process.
You may not need to bring your entire building up to code, but any new work must comply with current standards and certain situations, like a change of use, may require more comprehensive upgrades.
By doing thorough assessments, working with the right professional consultants and developing a clear strategy, you can make sure your extension not only meets regulatory requirements but also enhances the safety, usefulness and value of your building.
Each project is unique, and so it’s vital to seek tailored, proper advice for your specific project.
We could be able to help with your extension project, or happily refer you to someone who can best do it if we fell it’s not what we do best. Book a meeting with our team to explore your options.
