Include cross references only to other work sections where they include directly related work.

Delete abbreviations or definitions that are not used.

Note: CCANZ CP 01 is the means of complying with NZBC E2/AS3

Delete from the DOCUMENTS clause any document not cited.  List any additional cited documents.
The following are related documents and if referred to in the work section need to be added to the list of DOCUMENTS.

List documents relating to this part of the work, i.e. technical product/system specifications, test reports, appraisals, certification, etc.  Normally they will be referred to in the text by the abbreviated title.

It is important to ensure that all personnel on site have access to accurate, up to date technical information on the many products, materials and equipment used on a project.  In most cases individual products are not used in isolation, but form part of a building process.  Also a particular manufacturer and/or supplier requirements for handling, storage, preparation, installation, finishing and protection of their product can vary from what might be considered the norm.  Access to technical information can help overcome this potential problem.

This clause is used to nominate a supplier or suppliers to supply materials.  It is not intended for nominating subcontractors which must be done in the specific conditions of contract applying to the work.  Check with BCA for acceptability of multiple selection options.

Modify if non-compliant steel is specified.

Note, non-compliant steel could be assessed and approved on one (or more) of the following:

• Steel has other product certification system, contractor to demonstrate direct equivalency to NZ S Mark or ACRS
• Contractor to nominate the members in which each individual batch of steel is to be used and shall also state the country, mill of origin and the specification to which the steel for that member is produced, and clearly demonstrate how it is equivalent to AS/NZS 4671.
• Certificates from an IANZ/Telarc/NATA laboratory of chemical composition and physical properties of all reinforcing steel. All testing will be in compliance with Clause B7 of AS/NZS 4671, including frequency of sampling and testing.

Modify clause to suit any specific design mixes.

Cement is primarily sourced from Golden Bay Cement's manufacturing plant.  Some South Island plants may not have NZ manufactured cement available to them, check with Firth.   Coarse and fine aggregates sourced from local quarry.  Recycled or fresh water (captured rainwater, municipal water) used.  Admixtures primarily sourced locally.

This clause applies to site concrete used as bedding concrete: Fence posts etc.
An EC rating (represents % reduction of carbon dioxide footprint relative to the ISCA Baseline) is not available for this grade as there is no baseline value provided by ISCA, however Firth is able to provide a mix specific environmental assessment if required.

This clause applies to concrete used for making good the over excavation between good ground and the proposed foundation base.
An EC rating (represents % reduction of carbon dioxide footprint relative to the ISCA Baseline) is not available for this grade as there is no baseline value provided by ISCA, however Firth is able to provide a mix specific environmental assessment if required.

Modify this clause to suit project requirements, providing more detail on types of bars and mesh as appropriate.

Amend clause title if other Standards used but same mesh required.

Polyethylene is often described as "polythene" in New Zealand.  A subgrade damp-proof membrane is sometimes described as a vapour barrier.

Note that this clause describes the minimum acceptable membrane for damp-proofing under a concrete floor slab.  Where the membrane forms part of a basement waterproofing system you will need to reconsider this selection, to ensure compatibility with the damp-proofing system used both under foundation pads and vertically.  Forming a satisfactory junction between horizontal polythene sheet and vertical bituminous products is difficult.  Generally a single material selection should be used both vertically and underfloor.  Refer to BRANZ Bulletins 333 and the BRANZ Good practice guide: Concrete floors and basements.

Modify or expand on this clause to suit project conditions.  Carefully consider design and final finishes and co-ordinate with this clause.

Delete this clause if specified elsewhere.

If appropriate add additional special requirements.

Use this standard generic clause and if appropriate add additional special requirements.

Amend / expand this clause as required. The intention is to provide the contract administrator with the opportunity to consider options other than mass concrete when good ground levels are not achieved at the designed for founding levels.

Modify this clause for fairface work or where special finishes or particular standards of finish are required.

Replace this clause or re-write where another type of damp-proof membrane is used, or where drawings do not show perimeter details.  Refer also to guidance notes to clause DAMP-PROOF MEMBRANE.

Amend / expand this clause as required.

Amend clause title if other Standards used but overlaps still required.

Always show minimum reinforcing cover on the drawings.  Modify to Table 3.7 if 100 years is required.

Sub-soil cover depends on the nature of the soil and groundwater, refer to NZS 3101.1 Table3.1, Tables .3.3 & 3.4, also Tables 3.6 & 3.7.

Exterior slab reinforcing cover to NZS 3101.1 Table 3.6 or 3.7, amend clause to suit.

Note; NZBC B1/AS1 requires slab reinforcing to be within 75mm of slab edge, however:

• NZS 3604 also has a minimum of 50mm
• NZS 4229 has no minimum (NZS 3604 used as default)

With specific design, slab mesh can be within 35mm to 45mm of edge, in low exposure zones and with higher strength concrete.

Amend clause to suit or delete clause if not required.
Concrete reinforcing bonding required by AS/NZS 3000, cl 5.6, for floor and/or wall where part of it forms a room with a shower or bath, or the shell and surround of a swimming/spa pool.

Expert advice is recommended if in doubt.

This clause applies to all building types including houses.

Refer to drawings for further detail where appropriate.

Modify/extend this clause if construction joints are not shown on drawings.

Add any requirements for inspection by a chartered professional engineer, building certifier or contract administrator.

Expand on this clause to better describe project requirements.

List precise tolerances where fairface work is involved.

This clause is only suitable for floor slabs under vinyl or carpet.  More rigorous requirements may be needed for other finishes or specific design floor slabs.

This clause is only suitable for floor slabs under vinyl or carpet.  More rigorous requirements may be needed for other finishes or specific design floor slabs.

Amend this clause depending on whether the location of saw cuts is detailed or not.

Add more information for particular areas like at column bases, load points shape factors etc.

Clarify whether saw cuts are filled or not (note, cut widths may have to be wider for sealant, e.g. 10mm).

Provide detailed information on the selection and application of any sealants.

Amend this clause depending on whether the location and size of saw cuts is detailed or not and to suit project specific requirements.

Add more information for particular areas like at column bases, load points shape factors etc.

Clarify whether saw cuts are filled or not (note, cut widths may have to be wider for sealant, eg. 10mm).

Provide detailed information on the selection and application of any sealants.

Saw cuts should be indicated on the drawings, if not the above table can be amended to reflect project requirements.
Delete the table if shown on drawings.

It may be preferred to refer to a recognised guide document on concrete repair work, especially where extensive fairface work or special finishes are involved.

Extend this clause for non-residential floor slabs, which may justify more rigorous controls on curing.

Modify or expand on this clause to suit project conditions.  Carefully consider design and final finishes and co-ordinate with this clause. Details may be necessary to show extent of waterproofing.

Delete this clause if specified elsewhere.

Use this standard generic clause and if appropriate add additional special requirements.

S (standard grade) is the most common grade.  Use M grade for applications with greater loads and thickness more than 50mm.
Thickness standard sizes 25mm and 50mm

For compliance of the building thermal envelope use:

• NZBC H1/AS1 or VM1 Energy Efficiency for all housing & buildings up to 300m²
• NZBC H1/AS2 or VM2 Energy Efficiency for buildings greater than 300m²

The Acceptable Solutions contain a Schedule and a Calculation method & the Verification Methods contain a Modelling method for determining construction R-values required.

The acceptable methods of determining the thermal resistance (R-values) of slab-on-ground floors is either NZBC H1/AS1-AS2 Appendix F performance tables described in F1.2 or the Calculation method set out in NZBC H1/VM1-VM2 Appendix F.

Note: NZBC H1/AS1 & VM1, for housing only, building consent applications submitted before 1 May 2023:

• The minimum construction R-value for floors can be reduced.  Refer to minimum construction R-value Tables 2.2.2A & 2.2.2C for details.
• Appendix F Concrete slab-on-ground are deemed to achieve a construction R-value of R1.3.

An average value for lap length has been taken.  There are some circumstances where a greater lap length is required.  The design engineer must confirm that the above laps are appropriate.

EC rating - represents % reduction of carbon dioxide footprint relative to the ISCA Baseline.

* Check with Firth as some South Island plants may not have NZ manufactured cement available.

Concrete strength in accordance with NZS 3604 exposure zones.

• 17.5 MPa for unreinforced concrete applications, for reinforced concrete either not exposed to weather or exposed to the weather in Zone B.
• 20 MPa for reinforced concrete exposed to weather, Zone C.
• 25 MPa for reinforced concrete exposed to weather, Zone D.
• Geothermal hot spots require specific design.

Normal concrete 30 MPa minimum for reinforced concrete exposed to weather, Zone E (NZBC E2/AS1). May need to be higher strength or extra cover depending on severity of exposure.
Normal concrete up to 50 MPa is covered by NZS 3104, for mixes over 50 MPa refer to NZS 3104  for Special Concrete.  Note: In Canterbury Earthquake Region concrete to be reinforced to NZBC B1/AS1.

For unfinished watertight concrete to CCANZ CP 01, 4.5 Watertight Concrete, 30MPa minimum.

Firth Industries Limited offer specific design of mixes on request, allowing consideration of three criteria (strength, cost & carbon performance). A cradle to gate life cycle impact assessment based on a specific mix obtained from a specific plant can be provided.  By contacting Firth Industries Limited through the Masterspec work section support function these services can be coordinated with this specification.  Firth Industries Limited project specific documentation can be attached within the specification Contract Appendix.

This clause applies to site concrete used as bedding concrete: Fence posts etc.
An EC rating (represents % reduction of carbon dioxide footprint relative to the ISCA Baseline) is not available for this grade as there is no baseline value provided by ISCA, however Firth is able to provide a mix specific environmental assessment for this grade if required.

This clause applies to concrete used for making good the over excavation between good ground and the proposed foundation base.
An EC rating (represents % reduction of carbon dioxide footprint relative to the ISCA Baseline) is not available for this grade as there is no baseline value provided by ISCA, however Firth is able to provide a mix specific environmental assessment if required.

U3 is a manual or mechanical steel trowelling of floated finish after the concrete is sufficiently hardened.  It is generally suitable for residential floors to be finished with vinyl, tiles or carpet.
Use this clause or the section 3124 FINISHES TO WET CONCRETE for more complex range of finishes.

U2 wood float finish is a floated finish providing an acceptable slip resistance for walking surfaces as per NZBC D1/AS1. Refer to D1/AS1 and NZS 3114 for alternative finishes.
Use this clause or the section 3124 FINISHES TO WET CONCRETE for more complex range of finishes.

F4 is s smooth or textured surface where appearance and accurate alignment is of moderate importance.

Note that F1 is a rough finish used in concealed areas and F6 is an architectural feature finish.

Insert name of section covering the external coating/finishing system to be used over the concrete.
This is required by (NZBC E2/AS3) CCANZ CP 01, 4.0 Wall weathertightness systems.