Hello and welcome to the January edition of Invercargill City Council s Building Sector News.

Transcription

1 Hello and welcome to the January edition of Invercargill City Council s Building Sector News. We hope that everyone has had a chance to catch up with family and friends, have enjoyed a good break away, and that you are all refreshed for what looks like another busy year. In this issue we have articles on the following topics: Bottom plate anchors Licenced Building Practitioner updates Silica dust in construction Lapsing building consents Building standards and quality at risk addresses Booking inspections Requests for further information What were they thinking Quiz on articles in this news sheet For any enquiries, please contact the Editor Simon Tonkin, Manager Building Regulation Services, Invercargill City Council, Telephone (03)

2 BOTTOM PLATE ANCHORS NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings have two types of anchor options for fixing bottom plates to concrete floors. We review the options and requirements. Anchors that fix bottom plates to concrete slab-on-ground floors are an essential component of timber-frame construction as they secure the upper building structure to the foundation. They must withstand forces in three directions: uplift tension. along the wall in-plane shear. across the wall out-of-plane shear. Section 7 of NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings provides two options for fixing bottom plates to concrete floor slabs: cast-in anchors. proprietary (post-fixed) anchors. Cast-in anchors Cast-in anchors consist of M12 bolts and either mm square washers or 55 3mm round washers. Where the slab edge is in situ concrete, anchors must be embedded at least 90mm into the slab (see Figure 1). Where concrete masonry header blocks are used at the slab edge, anchors must be embedded at least 120mm (see Figure 2). Edge distance at least 50 mm Cast-in anchors must be fixed at least 50mm from the edge of the slab for both in situ concrete and masonry header blocks. For masonry header blocks, the distance is measured from the outside face of the blocks (see Figure 2). The previous 1999 edition of NZS 3604 did not specify this dimension, but BRANZ testing (see BRANZ Study Report SR125) showed that, where the slab edge distance was less than 50mm, anchors frequently failed, particularly where masonry header blocks were used. 2

3 If a 90mm bottom plate is used and the anchors are fixed in the centre of the bottom plate, the distance between anchors and the slab edge may be insufficient to withstand the forces on the wall framing. Figure 1 Cast-in anchor in situ concrete slab edge. Figure 2 Cast-in anchor concrete masonry header blocks at slab edge. 3

4 Spacings and concrete Cast-in anchor bolts must be installed at a maximum of 1.2m centres and no more than 150mm from each end of every plate. Where concrete blocks are used in zone D, concrete is required to be 25 MPa and steel needs 60mm cover from the outside face of the block. Proprietary anchors Proprietary anchors are inserted into the concrete once the slab has cured. The performance criteria of post-fixed anchors are set out in NZS 3604:2011 paragraphs and for external and internal walls respectively and are shown in Table 1. Proprietary anchor fixings include: expanding or wedge anchors. anchors set in epoxy fitted into predrilled holes. sockets with threaded rods. anchors screwed into predrilled holes. Proprietary anchors used as hold-downs for walls containing bracing will require additional uplift capacity depending on the bracing panel rating: 150 BUs/m is the maximum permitted in NZS 3604:2011 and requires 15 kn uplift fixings. 120 BUs/m requires 12 kn uplift fixings. Proprietary anchors should have test results showing they have been tested to and meet the NZS 3604:2011 requirements for their intended use. 4

5 Edge distances depend on product No edge distance dimension is given in NZS 3604:2011 for proprietary bottom plate anchors but verification is required for the performance in plane, out of plane and vertically. Spacings for proprietary anchors Proprietary anchors must be installed at a maximum of 900mm centres where the slab edge is in situ concrete and a maximum of 600mm centres where the slab edge is formed with concrete masonry header blocks. They must be no more than 150mm from each end of every plate. Durability requirements Durability requirements for anchors in NZS 3604:2011 Table 4.1 specify that, for all zones in a closed environment, mild steel anchors (uncoated and nongalvanised) are allowed. However, where these are into timber treated with a copper-based preservative, it is recommended that the anchors be at least hot-dip galvanised steel. 5

6 LICENCED BUILDING PRACTITIONER UPDATES From MBIE 2 December 2015 New online Record of Work and Certificate of Work forms now available for LBP s A recent upgrade on the LBP portal website provides users with the opportunity to complete Record of Work (RoW) and Certificate of Work (CoW) online. The online portal will prepopulate much of the required information from the LBP database. This will reduce the need to put the same information on every RoW or CoW. As part of the rollout of the new LBP Skills Maintenance system MBIE recently introduced, LBP s are now able to complete Record of Work (RoW) and Certificate of Work (CoW) forms online. This online enhancement is only available to active LBP s who hold one or more licence classes. The new functionality was introduced on 2 November The online RoW and CoW forms are a direct reproduction of the commonly used paper based prescribed forms, however there are a number of advantages for LBP s completing the forms online such as: The online forms can save practitioners time by repopulating information from the LBP database, eg information such as the practitioner s name, LBP number, licence class(es), and contact information etc. Information such as the LBP s BP number are protected and cannot be modified. The online forms allow practitioners to add only the RBW sections applicable to the specific project they have worked on, thus eliminating references to RBW that is not relevant to the work they have completed. Increased accuracy and clarity of the information provided as all information is keyed in and not hand written (except for the entry of a signature). The system only allows practitioners the option of filling out a form which is relevant to the licence class(es) they hold (ie LBP s not licenced in Design will not have the option of completing a CoW form online). 6

7 The information contained in the forms will not be stored in the LBP system unless an LBP wants to retain some of the completed forms and use them for their Skills Maintenance requirements. Initial interest in the new functionality has been solid and hundreds of LBP s have already used the recently released RoW and CoW forms. It is envisaged BCA s around the country will start seeing these forms enter their system as an alternative to the paper based carbon copy triplicate forms commonly used by LBP s. An example of a RoW created in the LBP portal is provided on the following page. 7

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9 Important Changes to LBP Skills Maintenance Changes to LBP skills maintenance take effect on 2 November Each licence class has a series of competencies within the LBP rules that set a minimum standard for licensing. All licensed building practitioners are assessed against these standards to become and remain licensed. For your initial licensing, this included completion of an application form, a meeting or discussion with an assessor and then a final decision by the Registrar. The LBP rules require that every second year the Registrar reassesses your competency. The Registrar must be satisfied that you have at least maintained your knowledge and skills against the minimum licensing standards even if the regulations or any aspect of your work has changed. This reassessment takes the form of participation in a Skills Maintenance programme. Changes to the current Skills Maintenance programme will come into effect from 2 November The current Skills Maintenance requirement as an LBP is that you must obtain a specific number of Skills Maintenance points, dependant on your licence class(es). Skills Maintenance points can be obtained by carrying out any training or learning activity that relates to the competencies for your licence class. Learning Activities You choose the learning activities that best suit your needs and the requirements of your licencing class. You ll probably find you do many of these activities already. What makes a good learning activity Activities need to familiarise you with, or teach you about matters including: changes to the building regulations building materials new technology good building design and construction good business practices workplace safety keeping the public safe from financial and physical harm. 9

10 The best learning activities engage you in a wide range of topics. They help you keep up with the changing building environment, regulations and homeowner expectations. Here s a good general rule: Does this activity add to your working experience? Does it help you to do a better job? If the answer is, Yes, then it most likely it counts. This is what Skills Maintenance is all about. Examples of learning activities Keep track of activities when you: supervise apprentices (from recognised formal building apprenticeships) attend seminars, conferences, discussion groups and meetings where industry knowledge is shared research or read about - applied building practice, methods and regulations in printed or online publications attend government or training provider workshops attend trade events where you discover new ways to apply your trade are introduced to a new way of working, a new system or new product through product inductions or training providers receive on-the-job training from a mentor, co-worker, manager, or an experienced practitioner mentor newly licensed building practitioners or builders starting their building career (learning by teaching is a good way to develop your skills) take up formal industry-based educational study through tertiary institutions or associations perform a service to the industry (for example, being a member of the National Advisory Group or attending government initiated focus groups or workshops such as the Skills Maintenance Forum review) learning about workplace safety. How many points do you need? One hour of learning = One point. The number of points you need to collect over 2 years depends on the licencing class you hold. 10

11 Minimum Points Licensing class needed over 2 years Carpentry, Brick and Block laying, External Plastering, 24 Foundations and Roofing Site and Design - area of practice 1 30 Site and Design - area of practice 2 or 3 36 If you hold more than one licence the highest point allocation applies. For example, if you are licensed in both Carpentry and Site area of practice 2, you need 36 points. This works out to an average of 1 to 1 ½ hours of learning activities a month to maintain your skills. Keeping records Remember to record your points (one hour of learning equals one point) and keep receipts and other evidence of the learning activities you ve done. Auditing The Registrar randomly selects LBPs relicensing applications for audit. He asks the LBP auditor to check their Skills Maintenance records, and requests evidence that the activities recorded were undertaken. 11

12 SILICA DUST IN CONSTRUCTION Construction work can produce silica dust. Exposure to silica dust is dangerous and can cause serious lung disease. Remove silica dust from a worksite, or control any exposure to ensure worker safety. What is silica? Silica is a natural substance found in materials on construction sites, such as concrete, bricks, rocks, stone, sand and clay. Dust containing silica is created when these materials are cut, ground, drilled or otherwise disturbed. If the silica particles in this dust are small enough (known as respirable crystalline silica or RCS) it can be breathed deep into the lungs and cause damage. The dust that can be breathed in is not always visible to the naked eye. Tasks which may expose construction workers to silica dust include: sawing, hammering, sanding, drilling, grinding and chipping concrete or masonry (bricks, stone and fibre cement products). demolishing concrete and masonry structures. abrasive blasting of concrete and other materials (especially where sand is used as the abrasive). dry sweeping or the pressurised air blowing of concrete and rock. chipping, hammering and drilling rock, also the crushing, loading, hauling and dumping of rock. How does exposure to silica dust harm health? Lung disease can develop from breathing in dust that contains silica. Silicosis Breathing in silica dust can cause the lung tissue to scar, a condition referred to as silicosis. This scarring results in a loss of lung function, usually characterised by breathlessness. The effects of silicosis are permanent and may continue to develop even after exposure has stopped. Once silicosis has developed, there could be an increased risk of kidney disease and tuberculosis. 12

13 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) COPD is a term that refers to a chronic lung condition that can result from breathing in silica dust. It can lead to breathing difficulties. Dust exposure while working with fibre cement products. Lung cancer If a worker has a lengthy exposure to high levels of silica dust, lung cancer may develop. Once silicosis has been diagnosed, the risk of lung cancer increases. Important note Lung disease can be caused by both long term exposure to small or moderate levels of silica dust, and short term exposure to high levels of silica dust. It is also important to note that smoking adds to the lung damage caused by silica dust exposure. What are employers responsibilities? Employers have a legal duty to take all practicable steps to ensure employees are safe at work. Exposure to silica dust is a workplace hazard that employers must eliminate, isolate or minimise. As an employer, you should be able to recognise where work tasks may create silica dust. You should then plan ahead to remove the dust or control any worker exposure. Where silica dust is created on a worksite, you should implement: Dust control methods; Respiratory protection; Air monitoring; Health monitoring; Protective clothing; Warning signs; Training. 13

14 Dust control methods The key to preventing silica exposure is keeping silica dust out of the air. Use water. Water and wet working methods can keep silica dust out of the air, and out the lungs of your workers. Make water hoses available to wet any dust created before it becomes airborne. Water hoses should always be used, rather than compressed air. Ensure equipment and affected work areas are frequently cleaned with a water hose to protect nearby workers from dust exposure. Do not dry sweep. Dust should be removed from work areas using vacuums with filters (high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters). Look for dust control features and dust collection systems when purchasing construction equipment. Purchase equipment and tools with water attachments and/ or vacuum attachments to control dust at the source. For example, saws used on concrete and masonry should provide water to the blade; machinery (ie excavators and bulldozers) should have a dust collection system and an air conditioned cab with a filtered air supply, to isolate the operator from dust. Ensure your workers always use dust control features and dust collection systems on equipment. If these are not working properly, your workers should not use the equipment. Abrasives used during abrasive blasting should not contain silica. Use metallic shot, slag products or grit for abrasive blasting, instead of sand. During abrasive blasting, containment methods such as blast-cleaning machines, cabinets, and local exhaust ventilation should be used. Respiratory (breathing) protection Respirators should be used together with other dust control methods, not as the primary way to prevent exposure to silica dust. Provide certified respirators and make sure your workers use them to protect their lungs from silica dust. Ensure the correct respirator is used for the job (dependent on dust levels and particle size). Provide either: a disposable respirator; a halfface respirator; a full-face respirator (this type filters the air); a full-face powered respirator (this type supplies clean air). 14

15 Disposable respirator (for low to medium dust levels) Half-face respirator (for low to medium dust levels) Full-face respirator (for medium dust levels) Full-face powered respirator (for high dust levels or people with facial hair) Disposable respirators should have two straps which fit securely around the face to ensure sufficient protection from dust. In construction, usually a disposable or half-face respirator will provide sufficient protection. However, when work tasks involve abrasive blasting, airline respirators will be required. When respirators are used at a worksite, you should: carry out facial fit testing on each worker; carry out appropriate maintenance on all respirators to ensure they remain fit for purpose; provide training on the correct use of respirators; keep records that detail respirator use; store respirators in a clean cupboard when they are not in use. 15

16 Note: Facial hair (beard, stubble growth, moustache or sideburns) or wearing glasses might affect the respirator s ability to form a tight seal around the face. It is best that men are clean-shaven if they have to wear respirators for work (or they wear a full-face powered respirator). Air monitoring Carry out air monitoring to measure the overall amount of silica dust created at various positions on the worksite and the maximum level of worker exposure (given the use of dust control methods, respirators and other measures). Air monitoring can be carried out by occupational hygienists or other trained personnel. This monitoring will help you select the most appropriate dust control methods and respiratory protection for your workers. Carry out air monitoring on a regular basis to ensure dust control methods in place remain effective and provide adequate protection for your workers. It is particularly important to carry out air monitoring when new work methods are introduced. Health monitoring Provide ongoing health surveillance for all your workers who may be exposed to silica dust. Surveillance should include lung function testing and a respiratory questionnaire. Occupational health nurses can provide this service. Protective clothing It is vital that dusty clothes do not contaminate cars, homes and other areas outside of the worksite. Ensure your workers have disposable or washable clothes to change into at the worksite. Ensure that before your workers leave the worksite they shower (if possible) or wash with water, and then change into clean clothes. Do not allow your workers to take dusty clothing home to wash. If you are washing this clothing, take care that dust exposure does not occur. Warning signs Post warning signs to mark the boundaries of work areas where silica dust is created. These signs should warn your workers about the hazard and specify any protective equipment required. Training Provide your workers with training on silica dust. All training should include information about: the health effects of exposure to silica dust; work practices to follow when silica dust is created at a worksite; the 16

17 appropriate use and care of protective equipment (including protective clothing and respiratory protection). How can employees protect themselves? Employers do not have the sole responsibility to manage exposure to silica dust at work. Employees must take all practicable steps to keep themselves, and other people around them safe. As an employee, you should be able to recognise if work tasks that you (or those near you) carry out create silica dust. Where this applies, you should: Follow any dust control methods that your employer has put in place. This includes: frequently cleaning affected equipment and work areas; using dust control features and dust collection systems on equipment and tools; reporting any failures of dust control features and dust collection systems on equipment and tools, then stopping any use. Correctly wear the respiratory (breathing) protection your employer provides. This includes ensuring it is clean and fits properly. To ensure a close-fitting respirator, remove facial hair. A respirator cannot protect you if it doesn t fit properly, so make sure that facial fit testing has been carried out by your employer. Test the respirator seal by carrying out a negative or positive pressure fit test each time you use it. Carry out a negative pressure seal check by putting the respirator on and inhaling sharply, while blocking the paths for inhaled breath to enter the face piece. A successful check is when the face piece collapses slightly due to the negative pressure created. Carry out a positive pressure seal check by putting the respirator on and exhaling gently, while blocking the paths for exhaled breath to exit the face piece. A successful check is when the increased pressure in the face piece causes outward air leakage. Wear washable or disposable protective clothing at work. Before you leave the worksite, shower (if possible) or wash, and then change into clean clothes. Do not take your dusty clothes home to wash. Follow good personal hygiene practices. This includes: not eating, drinking or smoking in dusty areas; washing your face and hands before eating, drinking or smoking outside dusty areas; parking your car in an area that will not be contaminated by dust. Participate in health monitoring and training provided by your employer. You are entitled to look at the results of this monitoring whenever you choose to do so. 17

18 LAPSING BUILDING CONSENTS Under Section 52 of the Building Act 2004 it states a building consent lapses and is of no effect if the building work to which it relates does not commence within: (a) 12 months after the date of issue of the building consent; or (b) Any further period that the building consent authority may allow. The Invercargill City Council has a procedure where at 11 months after the date of issue of a building consent the building consent applicant is sent a letter stating the building consent will lapse unless the applicant responds stating they have started work or require a further extension of time. Note that this letter is only sent if there are no inspections recorded against the building consent. If there is an inspection the work has obviously commenced and the lapsing part of the Building Act has no affect. If the applicant of the building consent does not reply to the Council within the stipulated time frame the building consent will lapse and be of no affect. This means that a person cannot undertake any building work on the building consent, and if they do that means the work contravenes the Building Act 2004 and is in fact illegal. So the message is please do not ignore a letter stating your building consent will lapse. Please respond to all Council letters. Thank you. 18

19 BUILDING STANDARDS AND QUALITY AT RISK This is a rather disturbing message for the industry and unfortunately is not a new occurrence. Even down in the deep south we have had similar issues with materials albeit not on the scale of Auckland. We ask for proof that a product has been tested and will meet the Building Code requirements. We immediately get very suspicious of a product when the means of proof is that it is accepted by other Councils, and this is their only means of proof of compliance with the building code. So we would like to reinforce the message in this article from the Building Industry Federation, Auckland. The Government's decade long reform programme for greater accountability in the building industry is at risk because of a lack of resources to enforce quality and standards, says the Building Industry Federation. "The desire to boost industry capacity to cope with the construction boom in Auckland should not be permitted to compromise standards and quality arising from a mixture of new entrants in the materials and product supply chain and a surge of independent cowboy builders," the Chief Executive of the Federation, Bruce Kohn said. "While Government policy emphasis has been on establishing fresh accountabilities for industry participants, and encouraging a flow of low cost materials and products from abroad, there has been inadequate resourcing for enforcement. This is exacerbated by a cumbersome penalty system seemingly inappropriate to the issues confronting the industry. The end result is: extreme pressure on the Auckland Council to cope with consent and compliance issues, frustration among reputable long term materials and product suppliers at a lack of enforcement action on use of questionable Building Codecompliant low cost supplies from abroad, rising concern within builder organisations that the actions of the 'cowboy' element will taint the reputation of quality builders committed to high standards. 19

20 Kohn said that the Builder Licensing System is being placed under considerable strain as evidence mounts of complaints laid in regard to questionable work and the almost inevitable hearing delays that accompany this. The positive aspect is that the industry through the Construction Strategy Group and the Construction Industry Council is moving to join with the Government in a joint study to see how best these quality assurance issues can be addressed. Urgency attaches to this. In recent weeks we have heard of non-compliant imported low cost asphalt roofing tiles coming to market in Auckland; instances of insulation being installed and then ripped out following compliance inspections; uncompliant insulation being installed; questionable imported electrical wiring being used; reinforcing steel entering the country that does not have N.Z. standard marking and is not traceable to the point of origin; structurally important metal brackets from overseas counterfeited to be in line with product sold by a local manufacturer; sub-standard plumbing products coming to market from Asia; and unsubstantiated quality glass entering Auckland from overseas. Misleading and inadequate information is being provided to the Council. The unsatisfied Auckland demand for new housing is proving something of a mecca for new entrants into the industry, especially migrants and entrepreneurs motivated more by an opportunity to make a dollar than the provision of quality. We're advised that corrective action on building sites sought by Council is often ignored. Efforts to affirm Code compliance of electrical wiring and exterior claddings, including that of a type which led to a major high rise fire in Melbourne some months ago, are frustrated by a lack of required evidence of compliance from the supplier and the manufacturer. Industry is supportive of the Government's reforms, especially as they relate to better accountability for builders, material and product suppliers, engineers and designers. But provision of accountability in law is meaningless unless an equal commitment is made to ensuring enforcement. The vast majority of quality builders and material suppliers deserve a level playing field that will give consumers confidence in the industry's ability to perform to expectations. Such confidence will not be sustained if suppliers with little long term commitment to the market, and often questionable ability to offer performance 20

21 warranties as required under the Government's reform programme, are able to operate outside the accountability system. As an organisation representative of the industry's supply chain we have members who are importers, manufacturers, merchants and distributors of building products and materials. We support the open market philosophies of the Government. But we are adamant that while an open market to all global suppliers is desirable it must not in our view be accompanied by a lessening of traditional New Zealand standards of quality and structural integrity. Better provision of resources for enforcement would go a long way to ensuring standards and quality are not downgraded in the haste to meet Auckland's immediate housing needs." 21

22 ADDRESSES Council receive a large number of building consents every year. The application form has a section for the applicant to fill in on how they want Council to contact them. Council use this information to contact owners/agents. One of the common issues is the time taken for a letter to go through the post to get to the owner/agent, so has got to speed up the process. Council would prefer to see an address provided for both the owner and the agent (usually the designer) as an ed request for further information letter will speed up the consent process and ensure that you can start building more quickly. 22

23 BOOKING INSPECTIONS One method of booking inspections is to phone the Building Consents team. The Customer Service Officers will allocate an inspection day and time to you. In early 2015 Council introduced an online booking system. It was trialled with a number of builders and designers, and then adopted. The reason this system was developed was to make it quicker and easier for the builders to book an inspection using their mobile devices. This is just a reminder to try the electronic booking of an inspection system, it may well save you time as well. Go to >A-Z >Building >Book an Inspection 23

24 REQUESTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Article from IANZ about Guidance on Requests for Further Information. IANZ Newsletter No.6 provided the following information from MBIE regarding stopping and starting the clock for RFI s: Regarding interpretation of Section 48 of the Building Act in respect to starting and stopping the clock, MBIE have indicated that the clock should not be restarted until the BCA has checked that they have received all information regarding each of the topics in the RFI(s). There has been lots of conversations on this topic so we think some further guidance may be helpful: When reviewing received Further Information for suitability, if any or all of the items received are either obviously incorrect or absent the clock does not start. The BCA will most likely wish to contact the applicant to ensure the incorrect items are sent correctly and that all required items are forwarded. The BCA may wish to process the correct items already received if, in their professional judgement, they can make progress while the clock remains off. If all requested items are present and they are all looking useful then the clock should be restarted. This drip feeding of replies to a request for information is a fairly common practise but it does cause problems. Please reply to any request with all questions answered satisfactorily. 24

25 WHAT WERE THEY THINKING Do you see any issues in this photograph? 1. Insulation not fitted correctly 2. Notch on stud too deep. 3. Bottom of stud missing, but an attempt has been made to fix. 4. Building paper ripped. 25

26 QUIZ ON ARTICLES IN THIS NEWS SHEET 1. NZS 3604:2011 has how many options for fixing bottom plates to concrete floors? (a) One (b) Two (c) Three 2. A bottom plate fixing secures the building structure to the foundation. (a) True (b) False 3. A bottom plate fixing must withstand forces in how many directions? (a) One (b) Two (c) Three 4. Across the wall is referred to as (a) in plane shear. (b) out of plane shear. 5. Uplift is (in terms of bottom plate fixings) (a) tension. (b) compression. 6. What section in NZS 3604:2011 provides details of bottom plate fixings to concrete floors? (a) Three (b) Seven (c) Ten 7. Cast in anchors can be 10mm bolts. (a) True (b) False 8. A cast in anchor must use a 50x50x3mm square washer or a 55x3mm round washer. (a) True (b) False 9. Where the concrete slab edge is in situ concrete cast anchors must be imbedded at least mm into the slab. (a) 75 (b) 90 (c) Cast in anchors must be fixed at least mm from the edge of an in situ concrete slab. (a) 12 (b) 35 (c) 50 26

27 11. Cast in anchors must be installed at no more than mm from each end of every plate. (a) 100 (b) 125 (c) 150 (d) Cast in anchors must be installed at a maximum of mm centres. (a) 500 (b) 900 (c) Proprietary anchors can be installed into a concrete slab immediately after it has been poured. (a) True (b) False 14. The edge distance for a proprietary bottom plate anchor is (a) 35mm. (b) 50mm. (c) as specified by the test results from the manufacturer. 15. All bottom plate anchors (either cast or proprietary) must be stainless steel to meet the Building Code durability requirements. (a) True (b) False 16. A record of work is required from a builder for all commercial and residential building works. (a) True (b) False 17. Changes to Licenced Building Practitioner (LBP) skills maintenance took effect on (a) 2 November (b) 1 December (c) 24 December 18. The LBP rules require that every year the Registrar reassesses your competency. (a) second (b) third (c) fifth 19. Under the LBP skills maintenance scheme one hour of learning equals (a) half a point. (b) one point. (c) five points. 20. If you hold a LBP licence in carpentry you are required to achieve how many points over two years. (a) 12 (b) 24 (c) 36 27

28 ANSWERS TO QUIZ 1. b 11. c 2. a 12. c 3. c 13. b 4. b 14. c 5. a 15. b 6. b 16. b 7. b 17. a 8. a 18. a 9. b 19. b 10. c 20. b 28