This article provides information about the November 2020 change to E3/AS1 and provides guidance on how to gain compliance and submit an alternative solution for wood flooring in spaces with sanitary fixtures and appliances.
From 5 November 2021, additional Building Code changes come into effect which impacts how wood flooring is to be specified in wet areas. This change is only relevant to timber flooring being specified in wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and laundries, and does not include living areas, dining spaces, hallways or front entrances.
We have had in-depth discussions with MBIE, Auckland Council, BRANZ, Masterspec, the waterproofing association and the Australasian Timber Flooring association to gather information and put together a simple but effective specification that meets the new building code requirements.
Going forward, to minimise delays or RFI's (request for information) from council, we recommend that all projects being submitted to council should include the Forté Timber Overlay Flooring System PTS in the consent documentation.
To assist specifiers with this change we have updated our Timber Overlay Flooring System, and the relevant documentation, to ensure it aligns with the new requirements. Our team will continue to meet with architects, designers, builders and our approved installers to implement the changes and ensure we have the support in place to manage the change.
Please note: Replacement of floors / walls / ceilings of an existing dwelling DO NOT need consent. More information around this can be read on page 82 in the 'Building Work That Does Not Require A Building Consent' on the www.building.govt.nz website.
If you’d like to learn more, please book a virtual or face to face education session by contacting your Territory Manager at the bottom of this article.
The Alternative Solution for E3 must be used for kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and laundries of single-dwelling residential homes, as well as kitchen areas of multi-dwelling buildings such as apartments. However, on the rare occasion that the kitchen sink overflows do not comply with the requirements under 2.0.1(b) of E3/AS1, a wet area membrane must be specified beneath the wood flooring.
FLOOR AREAS COVERED UNDER E3
As per the NZBC Clause E3, the areas are defined as floor surfaces of any space containing sanitary fixtures or sanitary appliances such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and toilet facilities. While kitchens are the most popular area for installing wood flooring, the upcoming change to the amendment will see flooring surfaces under the Acceptable Solution limited to common linings and finishes such as ceramic tiles, sealed or polished concrete floors (slab on grade) and waterproof sheet material with sealed joints. It is important to note that the change in amendment will have no effect on wood flooring being installed in living areas, dining spaces, hallways and front entrances.
When specifying timber flooring in wet areas, the below products are unlikely to meet the requirements in order to achieve an Alternative Solution for the E3 clause of the building code:
Forte is currently working on a codemark which will streamline the specification process, in the meantime please use the information in this article as guidance to gaining compliance and putting forward an alternative solution. If you need more information or assistance, please reach out to one of our Territory Managers who can help walk you through the specification.