NZS 3604

NZS 3604 Timber-framed buildings is a New Zealand technical standard which sets out specifications and methods for designing and constructing light timber-framed houses and other low-rise buildings. When read together with the amendments in Building Code acceptable solution B1/AS1, it allows the construction of code-compliant buildings up to three storeys high (two full storeys and a third storey in the roof space) on good ground without the need for specific structural engineering.[1] The standard is maintained by Standards New Zealand.[1][2]

The first edition of NZS 3604 was published in November 1978, replacing provisions in the NZS 1900 Model building bylaw series.[3] Similar timber-framed building standards have existed in New Zealand since the aftermath of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.[1] The current revision of the standard is NZS 3604:2011, published in February 2011.[2]

NZS 3604 is New Zealand's most sought-after technical standard,[2][4] used in the design and construction of an estimated 93 per cent of light timber-framed buildings.[1] In 2019, the Government funded free online access to the standard to increase accessibility and reduce building compliance costs.[4][5]

  1. ^ a b c d Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. "Using NZS 3604". Building Performance. Retrieved 14 July 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ a b c "NZS 3604:2011 :: Standards New Zealand". www.standards.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  3. ^ Issacs, Nigel (August–September 2010). "Timber framing – rapid and reliable" (PDF). Build Magazine. 119: 98–99.
  4. ^ a b New Zealand Government (11 July 2019). "Building Code compliance standards funded for free download | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  5. ^ Clendon, Juliet (October–November 2019). "Free building standards". Build Magazine. 174: 94–95.