Previous seminars

This BRANZ Answers seminar gives answers to a wide range of practical questions relating to new ways of doing things in the residential building and construction industry. We cover new types of buildings, new types of products and systems, new ways to increase the performance of buildings, and upcoming regulatory changes.

The session will cover underslab drainage (applicable to all classes of buildings) and a number of plumbing stack systems.

This seminar provides an overview of roof and wall assemblies with a focus on walls and the installation requirements and performance of the current commonly used wall cladding systems.

This seminar will travel along the path of timber as it is prepared for a career in the building industry. Starting off in the forest, we will explore the influences on the timber as it grows and how this will impact on its properties as sawn timber. Once felled, the timber starts its processing journey where it is again subject to many influences.

Once in its sawn forms, framing and wall cladding, we will then traverse the treatment options for the end use, drying, storage (during transport and on site), installation and post-installation care. For timber weatherboard claddings, we will cover the requirements for a good installation including storage and transport, defects, suitable species, treatment, applicable codes and standards, installation and fixing, as well as appropriate coatings for the treatment and finally maintenance.

Please note that access to this webstream will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar provides an overview of the benefits of designing and constructing residential buildings beyond the minimum and identifies opportunities for achieving performance-plus at little or no extra cost.

The Building Code thermal performance requirements given in this seminar are from the 4th edition Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 and Verification Method H1/VM1. Note that 5th editions of H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 replaced the 4th edition on 3 November 2022.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar takes a back-to-basics approach to bracing taking you through the steps that need to be addressed using examples to calculate the bracing required for framed walls.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar aims to give you the answers to a wide range of practical questions. The topics covered range from the new requirements for fencing of swimming pools to specific topics including:

• concrete slab design and construction: free joints, shrinkage control joints, floor tile movement control joints, reinforcing steel cover, edge distances, slab moisture contents, screw bolt installation
• flashings:  proprietary flashings and large roof flashings
• access: level entries, stair design 
• building exterior: timber finishes, timber profiles
• verandas and sunshades: uplift, fixings/connections, bracing 
• corrosion: protection to structural steel, dissimilar metals
• compliance: notices to fix, certificates of acceptance, outbuilding exemptions, acoustic wall principles
• innovation: prefabrication/panellisation, CLT, LVL.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar provides information on design, specification and installation of current roof membrane systems.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar covers questions that have been asked of BRANZ. These range from updates on released standards such as NZS 4223.3:2016 Glazing in buildings - Part 3: Human impact safety requirements to specific technical topics.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar provides designers and installers with a practical understanding of how to ensure non-structural systems in buildings are seismically resilient.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar provides an insight into how BRANZ research priorities are determined as well completed research, research for coming year, National Science Challenges and overseas research.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

Basements, bathrooms (particularly tiled showers) and decks are known areas of higher risk in terms of potential issues related to water entry and/or migration to adjacent spaces.

This seminar covers the principles of:

• why we need to waterproof effectively
• the requirements of the Building Code, Acceptable Solutions and standards
• waterproofing material options
• waterproofing extent
• key design parameters - the definition of wet areas and splash zones for bathrooms, slopes to bathroom floors and decks
• substrates
• key waterproofing system application requirements such as curing
• key aspects of detailing
• drainage - behind walls, external for decks and internal for bathrooms
• inspection and maintenance
• for bathrooms - specific issues around freestanding baths, preformed showers, level-entry showers, finishes to walls.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar aims to enhance the sustainability of the built environment by discussing the design and construction principles for wet areas to ensure that our houses are durable, healthy, comfortable and safe to live in. Topics include:

• defining a wet area
• describing Building Code and performance requirements
• outlining common causes of problems
• describing good design principles for wet area spaces
• detailing of the waterproofing system to prevent moisture transmission and overflow to adjacent spaces
• selecting finishes and fittings that will remain durable in a moist environment.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.

This seminar covers compliance paths for consenting Alternative Solutions. It explains:

• what constitutes an Alternative Solution
• how compliance can be demonstrated
• the level of detail and supporting information required
• the use of testing, comparison with an Acceptable Solution, expert opinion, product certification and producer statements in support of compliance
• options to follow when using past in-service history to show compliance with current Code requirements
• options for assessing an Alternative Solution when received.

Please note that access to this recorded seminar will expire 1 month after purchase.