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...

REPLACEMENT STANDARDS FOR CEILINGS & SPRINKLERS

30 Jun 2020

AS/NZS 2785:2020
This new Standard AS/NZS 2785:2020 - Suspended Ceilings - Design and Installation replaces the old version AS/NZS 2785:2000 of the same name.

Neither the old or new Standard are cited in the NZBC compliance documents, however the new Standard now aligns with the NZBC compliance documents and makes extensive use of the AS/NZS (& NZS) 1170 series of Structural Design Actions. AS/NZS 2785:2020 is the definitive New Zealand guide to suspended ceilings and although not an Acceptable Solution, the new 2020 version is an extremely useful, valid and essential tool for designing and specifying suspended tile and sheet ceilings.

Major changes from the 2000 version include:

  • Design requirements substantially revised, particularly for earthquake and wind design (Section 2)
  • Detailing of ceiling restraints and services interaction (including lights) have been covered (Section 4)
  • Acoustic requirements have been modified (Section 2.6)
  • Testing and verification methods have been upgraded (Section 6)
  • The concepts of - Seismic Grade, Producer Statements, Specific Engineering Design (SED) - have been introduced

Masterspec has started the process of upgrading the numerous suspended ceiling sections.  We hope to work through these with the various manufacturer/suppliers over the next few months.

NZS 4541:2020
This new Standard NZS 4541:2020 - Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems replaces the old version NZS 4541:2013 of the same name.

NZS 4541:2013 is cited in the NZBC compliance documents, C/VM1 (App B) and C/AS2.  At the time of writing NZS 4541:2020 is not cited and is therefore an Alternative Solution.  According to Standards NZ, NZS 4541:2013 will remain a means of compliance until NZS 4541:2020 is cited in the NZBC documents and the Fire Safety and Evacuation of Building Regulations.

Major changes from the 2013 version include:

  • Details for fire protection of Tall Buildings (>25m)
  • Details for fire protection of Large Buildings (>11,000m2)
  • Seismic restraint of pipework now to NZS 1170.5
  • Seismic design of water tanks
  • Inclusion of new technology for car stackers and in-rack warehouse sprinkler systems
The existing Masterspec section 7312 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems is based on NZBC C/AS2 using NZS 4541:2013. The section will continue like this as long as NZS 4541:2013 is deemed a means of compliance. If you want to use the new Standard with the existing 7312 section, it would require the section to be amended and it would be an Alternative Solution.