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...

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION IN 2018 – A SUMMARY

04 Dec 2018

It’s been a busy year with several changes in Engineering compliance within the industry which has affected us all. Major changes over the year have included:

  • Amendment 16 to NZBC B1/VM1, introduced the almost new Steel Standard AS/NZS 5131, providing new methods of compliance for:
    • Documentation & submission requirements (some)
    • Fabrication
    • Erection
    • Modifications to existing structures
    • Architecturally exposed structural steel
    • Inspections of welding and bolting
    • Evaluation of slip factors
    • Avoidance of lamellar tearing
    • The introduction of the fundamental concept of Construction Category (CC), which is linked to the Importance Level (1 to 4 from AS/NZS 1170.0) of the structure, as well as Service Category (SC1, SC2) and Fabrication Category (FC1, FC2).
    • The updates also affected Levels of Traceability, Tolerances & Finishes and Corrosion Protection - SEE MASTERSPEC NOTES JUNE 2018
    • All existing Masterspec structural steel sections were updated to use AS/NZS 5131
    • The publishing of a new section 3415 ARCHITECTURALLY EXPOSED STRUCTURAL STEEL reflecting all the above changes plus more demanding levels of finishing - READ THE IN-DEPTH ARTICLE FROM JULY NOTES
  • Updates to AS/NZS 4600:2018 Cold-formed steel structures. The new 2018 version has a large number of changes including numerous amendments, additions, deletions and moving of clauses. For a full rundown SEE MASTERSPEC NOTES AUGUST 2018

We have been adding and updating changes to Hydraulic, Fire and Electrical Standards as they have been published throughout the year.

2018 has seen great growth in our Engineering fraternity and we have had much pleasure in training a range of new practices in both the Structural & Civil and Services libraries. Those of you who have been with us for a while now should find your project registers will have developed and be providing the practice with a good knowledge-base for on-boarding those who are new to specification.  

Currently the Masterspec engineering libraries are under external expert review, especially in mechanical services, and those changes will be implemented in the first half of 2019. Also in 2019 we will be running dedicated Engineering specification workshops - the details will be announced in the New Year. 

We look forward to bringing more of Masterspec to you in 2019!  Have a great Christmas.