Masterspec
01 Apr 2025
Document Referencing and Scheduling with eCert
Our editor team has updated all Masterspec work sections which have references to environmental documents. Where environmental document references...
27 Mar 2025
Update Manager New Features
The new Update Manager features are designed to boost productivity when applying changes to updated work sections. Simplify work section updates with...
03 Mar 2025
CIL is Now Accepting Product Carbon Data for the National Embodied Carbon Data Repository for Construction.
CIL Masterspec is now accepting carbon information in the form of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) or Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) from...
06 Jan 2025
Carbon 2025 and Beyond: Building a More Sustainable Future for NZ Construction
In July 2024, Construction Information Ltd (CIL) and the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) announced a partnership to develop a...
01 Nov 2024
Introducing eCert: A Game-Changing Tool for Sustainable Construction
As the New Zealand construction industry increasingly focuses on sustainability and carbon reduction, there is a growing need for tools that can help...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Manawa House by Cube Architecture
"Masterspec has been an indispensable tool for our project Manawa House. During the specification, Masterspec streamlined our entire specification...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Ligar Bay Bach by Young Architects
"Masterspec was used for providing a detailed, fully customised, specification as part of our comprehensive project documentation for the Ligar Bay...
25 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Hilltop Home by Jon McAlpine Architecture
“Masterspec is a critical component in our studio. Its user-friendly platform and regular product specification updates, keep us constantly on the...
06 Aug 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
In Masterspec NOTES June 2024, we provided commentary around the changes to the NZ Building Code relating to domestic smoke alarms.
18 Jul 2024
New Industry Initiative to Reduce Carbon Emissions of New Zealand Buildings
A new industry-led initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of Aotearoa New Zealand’s buildings, which contribute up to 20% of the national...
04 Jul 2024
Masterspec Announces New MasterKey4 for Revit 2025 Enhancements
Streamlined Workflows and Improved Collaboration with MasterKey4. We are excited to announce the latest update to MasterKey4 for Revit 2025, designed...
04 Jun 2024
Building Code Updates 2023-2024
This month we have published amendments in response to building code updates. The 2023-24 NZBC changes were published by MBIE on the 2 November 2023,...
04 Jun 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
From November 2023 the Building Code Acceptable Solutions for Protection from Fire (C/AS1 and C/AS2) have been amended to make Type 1 interconnected...
05 Apr 2024
Understanding Project Scope and How to Specify Window Systems
It is vital that Movement and Deflection criteria are correctly defined in the Specification. We cannot over emphasize the importance of correctly...
04 Apr 2024
MBIE Building Consent System Review - Overview and Update
In July 2022, MBIE commenced a review of the building consent system, as part of the Building System Reforms to improve the consenting process. The...
30 Nov 2023
NZCIC Guidelines Responsibility Schedule Goes Digital
The new online tool enables real-time collaboration among multiple stakeholders, fostering efficiency and innovation in construction processes.
10 Nov 2023
BCA Requests to Modify Manufacturers Technical Content
mDocs allows the specifier to quickly access the latest version of a document uploaded by the manufacturer or supplier. Importantly, these detailed...
27 Sep 2023
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Taharoto Lane by X Studio Architects
The development will have 19 units, including studio, office, and retail space. The residential units will have balconies with views of the city...
27 Sep 2023
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Soaring Box House by Turner Road Architecture
The house’s unique design fits into the rural landscape. The house has a cantilevered structure and a soaring angular volume. The interior design is...
13 Sep 2023
Hallmark Group Opens Up About BPIR
Recently, Hallmark Group turned to Masterspec, a trusted name in compliance solutions, for guidance on their BPIR for fire doors. In this article, we...

COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR THE SPECIFIER

23 Apr 2020

In this article our Managing Editor Alex Shaw suggests how using the information at this link can help ensure your project fulfils its obligations to provide safe working conditions on site and ensure the correct documentation.

Communication is the key
We are all in this together, so working together is going to be essential to making things work under COVID-19 construction restrictions. In order to work together without proximity, we need good communications between Principal, Consultants, Contractor and others. Ensure the right cooperative environment is created to mutually resolve, in a timely manner, the issues that will crop up.

Disseminate Information
To ensure everybody is on the same page disseminate the relevant information from what is listed here. It should be issued for information only, at this point do not make it part of your Contract or Specification. Effectively the Government response to COVID-19 has resulted in an effective change in law. The guides, protocols and standards listed here (and elsewhere) are virtually sanctioned by Government, and most will be administered and interpreted by WorkSafe.

Principal's Site Health and Safety Plan
If the Principal has an existing plan or intends to write one, this should be referred to in the Masterspec section 1220 PROJECT, clause (1.9 unmodified) PRINCIPAL'S SITE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN. This clause does not need further amendment. These plans are sometimes required for non-residential sites/buildings that remain occupied during construction. The plan will need to be updated to incorporate COVID requirements.

Contractors Health and Safety Plan
The Contractors Health and Safety Plan, referred to in the Masterspec section 1260 PROJECT MANAGEMENT, clause (1.36 unmodified) HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN, will now need to incorporate COVID requirements. No amendments to the Masterspec standard health and safety clauses is necessary as the wording is enough to encompass the compliance with relevant documents like the COVID, guides, protocols and standards.
Ensure the Contractor has a H&S Plan in place before opening the site. Along with the Principal review the H&S Plan.

Designer Site Observation
For levels 3 & 2, avoid going to site unless absolutely necessary. Use digital options when possible and practical. If unavoidable, follow the Contractor's H&S requirements and general COVID-19 guidance. Don't go if feeling unwell. Site meetings must be digital meetings.

Increased Cost and Time
It is quite possible that some increased construction costs and time will occur. How these should be treated will depend on the Conditions of Contract used. Most Contracts do not cover a pandemic and the results that we are experiencing, however some Contracts, like NZS 3910, indirectly do. In most cases, such a situation would necessitate a negotiated solution, possibly leading to issuing of variations and/or extensions of time. Legal and/or expert advice may be necessary.