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NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings sets out the criteria for ‘good ground’ for buildings to be constructed using the standard. A Scala penetrometer can be used to help assess the site of a proposed building to determine whether it meets the requirements of good ground. This bulletin provides practical guidance on when and how to use a Scala penetrometer and updates and replaces Bulletin 438 of the same name.

Houses on piled foundations built on sloping sites have often performed poorly in earthquakes. This bulletin shares the practical findings of experimental tests run by BRANZ in partnership with Victoria University that have shown that a simple and relatively inexpensive retrofit can markedly improve seismic resilience.

This webinar provides a basic introduction to using the BRANZ building Life Cycle Assessment tool, LCAQuick. It builds on the Life Cycle Assessment webinar by providing a practical demonstration of LCAQuick, going over the basic inputs and outputs of the tool.

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Cavity battens play a vital role in building weathertightness but must be installed properly to avoid trapping moisture in the wall cavity. This bulletin provides guidance about the selection and installation of cavity battens considering Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 and Alternative Solutions. It includes and replaces content from Bulletin BU582 Structurally fixed cavity battens. 

The Homestar Embodied Carbon Calculator (HECC) is a free tool that assesses the cradle-to-cradle life cycle embodied carbon of homes with traditional constructions (e.g. timber/steel framed homes).

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This bulletin provides guidance in specifying floors that comply with the 5th edition of H1/AS1 and H1/VM1. This issue includes an overview of the requirements for slab floors and suspended floors; application of the Verification Method and when to use the modelling method set out in Part 2 of H1/VM1 might be used.

This webinar provides a basic introduction to life cycle assessment (LCA) and calculating the carbon footprint of a building. Life cycle assessment underpins all BRANZ carbon tools, so this webinar is a recommended introduction to our other carbon tools webinars.

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CO₂RE draws on residential construction elements from the BRANZ House Insulation Guide (5th edition) and some details from the PHINZ High Performance Construction Details Handbook.

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LCAPlay allows users to assess potential environmental impacts for commercial building design concepts.

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This 20-minute module gives designers in-depth, practical guidance on design principles and considerations for lightweight steel framing that differ from timber construction. This module includes preplanning; steel basics; fixings and connections; and on-site remediation. 

This 20-minute module steps designers and builders through the basics of steel-frame buildings. By completing these building blocks, you will gain an understanding of statutory requirements; materials and specifications; linings, thermal breaks, and insulation; and floors, roofs, and walls.

This 20-minute module provides comprehensive guidance on the design and construction of steel-framed buildings and steps learners through a diverse range of fundamental topics including walls, floors, and rafters; roof structure; insulation; thermal breaks and underlays; wiring and piping; fire and acoustics; windows, doors and wall cladding; bracing; and foundations and connections.

This bulletin updates and replaces Bulletin 523 Reducing waste from building sites. It focuses on houses and small buildings.

This bulletin guides architects and designers in understanding and specifying windows and doors that comply with the 5th edition of H1/ AS1 and H1/VM1.

We look at practical solutions to reducing a building’s carbon footprint.

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We explore some of the challenges we face in reducing carbon emissions.

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We look at the inter-related topics of compliance and how to calculate carbon footprints.

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We explain why we need to act now to reduce carbon emissions and the role that the building and construction industry plays.

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Use LCAPlay to evaluate the potential greenhouse gas emissions (and other environmental impacts) of alternative building options.

This bulletin outlines the BRANZ tools available to architects, designers and engineers to produce houses that have lower carbon footprints.