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AUTUMN 2013 Authentic looking replica chimney solutions “ The Quakesafe chimney people” © | Ph: 0800 SAFER HOMES www.qsbs.co.nz INSIDE Lockwood Homes - 20 Page Liftout

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Page 1: Building Innovations

AUTUMN 2013

Authenticlookingreplicachimneysolutions

“ The Quakesafe chimney people” © | Ph: 0800 SAFER HOMES www.qsbs.co.nz

INS

IDE

Lockwood Homes - 20 Page Liftout

Page 2: Building Innovations

“The Quakesafe chimney people”

QUAKESAFE CHIMNEY PRODUCTS

COMPOSITE

Structuraltimber Frame

CompositeStructural Box

UVResistantColours

Regular orLead Flashing

Composite construction.Authentic looking brick detail and colour is moulded into the surface. One piece,strong, weather-tight anddurable.

BRICK VENEER

Structural timber Frame

Flues

Mortar

Composite (one piece)Structural Inner Box

ProprietaryAdhesive

Regular orLead Flashing

Brick veneerCladding

Real Brick Veneer Surface.The inner one-piece composite box is clad with real brick veneer (slips) using adhesive. Finished with real mortar, lead flashing and chimney pots.

FLAT-PAC©

CompositeFLAT-PAC© Panels

InternalConnectionSystem©

ProprietaryAdhesive

Composite construction.Comes as a set of flat panels… easy to assemble on site. Authentic look is moulded into the surface. Easy for packing and shipping (Patent Applied).

Ph. 0800 SAFER HOMES | E. [email protected] | www.qsbs.co.nz

©

QSBS specialise in designing and building truly authentic looking replica chimney solutions, architectural details and a range of other earthquake proof building solutions.

It may seem like a huge leap to go from making special effects props for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies to designing and fabricating chimneys but Nick Williams from Quakesafe Building Solutions (QSBS) says the two are not so very far apart.

Williams uses special effects techniques in order to replicate traditional brick chimneys in fibreglass composite.

The fibreglass composite chimneys are much lighter and therefore safer than the traditional brick chimneys they are replacing.

This was a fact that came to the forefront recently in the big Christchurch earthquake when heavy brick chimneys fell damaging houses and sometimes causing loss of life.

The issue has now become publicised throughout the country and as a result many people now want to replace their traditional brick chimneys with the safer, lightweight QSBS chimneys.

Williams’ technical background in special effects as well as in the composite industry means QSBS products are unique - technically strong as well as looking just like the real thing.

In order to develop the unique QSBS range of products Williams pulled together a team of innovative New Zealand individuals and businesses including composite specialists, roofers, builders, traditional old chimney builders, engineers, resin chemists and business people. QSBS now makes chimneys for customers throughout New Zealand.

Composite chimneys have authentic looking brick detail moulded into the surface and colouring to match the

customer’s traditional brick chimney perfectly. QSBS also offers brick-slip chimneys, which are constructed using a one piece composite (fibreglass) box, which is surfaced with real brick veneer.

A key point is that QSBS chimneys are designed in such a way that the open fire is still usable in the home. The chimneys add value to a house by preserving the original look and feel of the home.

QSBS has fully functional composite factories based in Auckland and Christchurch to supply customers nationwide.

QSBS chimneys are fully engineered and compliant with the New Zealand Building Code and come with a 20 year warranty.

The techniques that have been developed by QSBS have also been extended into other products including QSBS chimney pots and architectural details such as parapets, columns, facades and faux carved details.

The architectural detail range of products can be produced in fibreglass composite or glass reinforced concrete depending on the application.

The QSBS range of composite lightweight chimney pots includes unique QSBS designs and those taken from genuine original old Victorian pots collected from around New Zealand.

QSBS offers an installation service and on-site post installation quality inspections are carried out on every product installed by QSBS.

QSBS chimneys have been produced for customers based from Invercargill to Auckland including Matua Winery Estate, the Canterbury Club on Worchester Street, Christchurch, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Te Koraha House and the historic two- storeyed

Composite chimneys – lighter, stronger, safer

timber house built for the Rhodes family at Merivale between 1884 and 1886. Williams says that people around the world are watching QSBS closely because of the innovative techniques being used.

Because the products are new for the New Zealand market, QSBS welcomes inquiry from architects and engineers and works alongside these professionals to find the right solution and assist with installation.

QSBS, freephone 0800-SAFERHOMES (0800-72 33 74), www.qsbs.co.nz

Composite chimneys have authentic looking brick detail moulded into the surface.

Page 3: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 3

Contents Building Innovations NZ | Autumn

6 8Flooring system breakthrough NKBA turns 30

14

18

PUBLISHERJames Lynch

Phone: 03 983 5500Email: [email protected]

EDITORNick Gormack

Phone: 03 983 5559Email: [email protected]

JOURNALISTSJo Bailey, Karen Phelps, Kelly Deeks

ART DEPARTMENTSadhna Clark, Brendon Wellwood, Jesse Calder, Liki Udam, Anton Gray, Sarah McQuilkin

Phone: 03 983 5560 Email: [email protected]

MARKETING CONSULTANTSHelena Watson, Debbie Bennett

Phone: 03 983 5521Email: [email protected]

OFFICE / ACCOUNTSHelen Bourne, Jill Holland

Phone: 03 983 5500Email: [email protected]

CUSTOMER SERVICESAnn-Marie Frentz

Phone: 03 983 5554Email: [email protected] Boon

Phone: 03 983 5531Email: [email protected]

GENERAL MANAGERRex Lynch

Email: [email protected]

112 Wrights Road, AddingtonPO Box 37 346, Christchurchwww.waterfordpress.co.nz

These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Company and its clients. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will effect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. The Company reserves the right to alter, change or omit entirely any advertisement or article that it considers to be objectionable or which may contravene any law. In the event of a failure on the part of the Company to insert advertising as instructed the Company may publish the advertisement at the first available subsequent reasonable date unless the advertisement features date sensitive material. Every care shall be taken to publish the advertisement in accordance with the advertisers instructions as to page and position but the Company reserves the right for whatever reason to place advertising in a different position and in doing so shall incur no liability whatsoever. Advertisers must advise the Company immediately of any error or omission in advertisements and shall work constructively to remedy the situation which in the first instance shall be a rerun of the corrected advertisement in the next available issue. Where advertisement proofs have been faxed or mailed to the client 48 hours prior to the nominated printing cutoff time acquiesce shall be taken as confirmation and acceptance. Corrections made by telephone shall be accepted but the Company reserves the right to decide whether a further proof should be faxed or mailed to the client. Accounts for advertising are due for payment within seven days of publication of the newspaper. Accounts not paid within this time may incur a penalty of 3% per month until the account is paid. Any debt collection costs incurred by the Company will be added to the account of the debtor. Views and opinions expressed in Building Innovations NZ are not necessarily those of the editors, Waterford Press Ltd or publisher. Building Innovations NZ welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Building Innovations NZ accepts no responsibilty for loss of photos or manuscripts.

ISSN 2324-1195

The National Kitchen and Bathroom Association will this year celebrate 30 years of member success.

A new foundation and flooring system developed by Firth offers benefits for Christchurch people.

17Pleasing result The Undercroft development at Canterbury University was a top result for Image Construction.

Drugs in the workplaceA drug and alcohol policy is an essential tool for addressing issues in the workplace.

Spanning the Waikato Reducing environmental impact was a key factor during the construction of the new Atiamuri Bridge.

16Steel Innovations Emerging seismic-resisting steel technologies were showcased at the Steel Innovations 2013 conference.

Page 4: Building Innovations

4 Building Innovations NZ

Christchurch Rebuild

• No drilling or rivets required• Never rusts• Available in all plumbing and roofing outlets nationwide

• Install in 20 seconds or less• Gutter outlet drop sizes 65mm, 80mm, 90mm

Christchurch kitchen and bathroom designers and manufacturers may need support from companies outside the region to keep up with the demands of the rebuild, says National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) president, Ingrid Geldof.

“We know of several Christchurch joinery firms already booked out until the middle of the year. It is likely projects will soon be pushed out to over a year unless some innovative solutions are found.”

She says the NKBA is looking at a number of ways to tackle the problem, including matching its Christchurch members with firms outside the region to whom they can outsource manufacturing work.

“This approach would distribute the workload throughout the South Island, or even the rest of New Zealand, as opposed to companies struggling away with minimal staff in Canterbury.”

Finding new staff with the right qualifications and experience will continue to be a “real issue” for Canterbury firms. However, she says, the NKBA is committed to creating opportunities and solutions for its members, rather than viewing the challenges of the rebuild as a problem.

“We are working closely with kitchen and bathroom designers, manufacturers and industry suppliers throughout New Zealand to ensure they are ready to meet the growing demands of the Christchurch market.”

One initiative is the introduction of two new NKBA membership categories – Associate Membership and Student Membership, to keep the sector “alive and moving”, she says.

“We are also focused on increasing the number of kitchen and bathroom design courses to the industry, with a Level 4 course being held in Christchurch in April.”

Ms Geldof, a high-profile Christchurch kitchen and bathroom designer took over as president of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association in July last year.

A new executive officer, Suzie Rees was appointed in May, and the Association moved its head office to Christchurch at the same time.

“Although the Auckland market is taking off, most of the growth in the industry over the next five to 10 years will be in Canterbury.

“Being based here means we are well-positioned to provide optimal support to the market.”

NKBA 30 year plans - page 8

Pressure on joinery capabilities

Collaboration the key to rebuild

An initiative to help businesses outside Christchurch team up with local firms to work on the Canterbury rebuild has just been launched.

The aim of the Collaborate Canterbury website is to provide a platform where companies can network and form positive collaborations that unlock key economic opportunities for both firms, and provide much-needed scale.

Group spokesman Peter Townsend says now the rebuild has started to ramp up it has become “very clear” its needs are well beyond the capacity of the local market.

“Although some partnerships with outside companies have been happening informally until now, Collaborate Canterbury will make it easier for companies to connect and consider a variety of ways in which they can partner up,” he says.

These could include everything from secondment of employees, sub-contract agreements and outsourcing; to joint ventures, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions.

“The key is that companies work together. I get calls every week from firms outside Canterbury wanting to assist with the rebuild.

“It’s far better we have collaborative models working, rather than them coming into the local economy cold and trying to compete.”

Collaborate Canterbury is being jointly managed by Townsend’s organisation Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Development Corporation.

It is one of CERA’s Economic Recovery Strategy initiatives and is being supported by partners Anderson Lloyd Lawyers, Lane Neave

Lawyers and PricewaterhouseCooper. With indicators revealing the Christchurch

economy is now in “serious growth mode”, Townsend says managing the scale of the rebuild and its resource constraints will continue to be two of the most critical issues facing the city.

“These are positive but significant challenges as a result of being part of the biggest economic development programme New Zealand has ever seen. How we handle these challenges is vital moving forward.”

The pressure on human capital will continue, with many companies “screaming

for additional workers.” At the same time Canterbury’s unemployment figures hit a new low of 4.9 percent in December.

“It’s pleasing our unemployment figures are lower than they were pre-earthquake and two percent lower than the rest of New Zealand.

“The Canterbury population has also bounced back ahead of what it was in September 2010,” says Townsend.

The other major issue facing companies is how they manage cashflow while on a steep growth curve as they take on new people, build up stock levels or increase their capabilities, he says.

“Pressure will also come on the supply chain so we need to make sure we have the resources available and that everyone plays their part to ensure it operates as smoothly as possible.” Townsend says that news of the recent Mainzeal collapse came as “a shock and complete surprise” and indicates the unpredictability of the market. “There were no signs this was going to happen,” he says.

“From a Canterbury perspective the good news is that because of all the economic activity any Mainzeal people working here should be able to pick up new opportunities relatively quickly.”

However, he says this may not be true of all of the sub-contractors working on Mainzeal projects, as some could be “completely crippled” by the event.

“We’re working closely with a wide range of companies that have been affected.

“Some of them say it’s a real kick in the guts after having already been down three or four times due to the earthquakes and the delays in rebuild activity. Things were just starting to look really good and now this.”

Despite the challenges he says the ability of companies to “get up and get going again” shouldn’t be underestimated.

“I’m sure other stakeholders such as the banks and IRD are also doing whatever they can to assist these companies to remain viable.

“The Mainzeal collapse is a reminder to everyone how carefully they need to manage their businesses, to minimise exposure to risk and allow for these sorts of contingencies.”

Peter Townsend

Jo Bailey

“The key is that companies work together. I get calls

every week from firms outside Canterbury wanting to

assist with the rebuild.”

Garbage Warrior visits ChristchurchAmerican architect Michael Reynolds, left, also known as the Garbage Warrior, recently spent six days in Christchurch sharing his “radically sustainable” building philosophies.

Reynolds is founder and director of Earthship Biotecture – that creates self-sufficient housing made from recycled materials. After working on disaster relief projects all over the world, Reynolds was in Christchurch to share his ideas and vision for the city’s rebuild.

During his visit he talked about his experiences during more than 40 years in sustainable architecture; presented some alternative structural designs; and introduced some of the latest, most sophisticated integrated water and power systems available.

One of the highlights was a three day practical workshop at a Huntsbury Hill

property where 40 participants were involved in a small earthship demonstration build.

Reynolds also spoke at three evening seminars, gave an onsite retrofit talk at a North Canterbury property, met with the Urban Design team from Christchurch City Council and spoke with architecture and engineering students at CPIT.

Earthship New Zealand spokeswoman Rosa Henderson says the organisers were delighted to host Reynolds in Christchurch.

“We are also grateful to Fulton Hogan and Texco for donating materials for the earthship build, Robin Woodsford for the use of his land; and the huge amount of energy from the participants and central team running the build.”

For more information : www.earthship.com/newzealand and www.earthship.co.nz

Page 5: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 5

A “world-first” foundation and flooring system developed by Firth Industries offers numerous benefits for Christchurch people rebuilding their homes on TC3 classified land, says regional sales manager, Craig Wilson.

“Our new RibRaft® TC3 flooring system is extremely cost-effective compared to other methods of rebuilding foundations on TC3 land. Customers can also have increased confidence in the performance of the system in any future seismic events given its added strength and stiffness.”

Wilson says the system can provide a solution for TC3 homeowners whose properties have fallen into the “too hard or too expensive” basket. This is due to guidelines that require houses on TC3 land be re-levelled and re-occupied cost effectively after a settlement causing event. “The key benefit of the RibRaft® TC 3 flooring system is that it can be re-leveled a number of times if the situation requires. It comprises upper and lower slabs that can be jacked apart following an earthquake event that causes settlement.

“This means the house can be re-levelled quickly and easily, unlimited times. Until now there hasn’t really been a cost-effective, viable option like this for TC3 homeowners, so it’s pretty exciting stuff.”

The system is an enhanced version of the company’s original RibRaft® floor that is popular with customers rebuilding on TC1 or TC2 classified land.

“The Ribraft system has already proved itself after many years in the residential and light commercial market. Audits by independent engineers revealed it stood up incredibly well

to the earthquakes. The new EQ technology takes it to the next level.”The innovative RibRaft® TC 3 system has been developed by Firth’s engineers. It meets seismic specifications of the Department of Building and Housing approved flooring solutions for the Christchurch rebuild.

Components include polystyrene pods, steel reinforcing rods, plastic spacers and RaftMix™ concrete, that fit together simply to “dramatically reduce the labour time and cost of installation,” says Wilson.

He believes the first generation of the system is suitable for around 70 percent of TC3 properties in the city. “We are now busy working on solutions for those trickier sites and already have products at the testing stage.” Firth is the largest and only national manufacturer offering a complete range of concrete products, systems and solutions.

These come in three main categories: Certified Concrete® which includes its floor and foundation systems; Masonry Products such as blocks, pavers, retaining wall products and bricks; and Dricon® pre-mix concrete and sand products.

The company has a team of around 650 people working in more than 65 plant sites throughout New Zealand. Wilson says Firth’s Christchurch operations have grown significantly in the last year.

“At the moment we have two concrete plants in the city and are building a third that will be up and running by mid-February. Last year we increased our concrete truck fleet by 140% to keep up with demand.” Wilson says development of the Christchurch business is ongoing.”

New flooring system a TC3 breakthrough

All systems go: Andrew Moss general manager Firth, left, and Jon Hambling national technical manager check out the RibRaft® TC3 flooring system.

Christchurch Rebuild

Page 6: Building Innovations

SHELTERSTO MEET ALLREQUIREMENTS

“With so many building sites inthe city there is a growing need to provide shelter for gear and equip-ment, or for between containersand buildings.

“Our shelters are a great option - whether clients are based in their own yards, setting up on job sites for a few months at a time, or are quite mobile.”

TORTO shelters are also being used by clients in the manufacturing, engineering, roading and civil sectors in Christchurch - mainly for covering their equipment, Smith says.

“Our smallest shelter is six metres by six metres. However we can provide shelters big enough to fit a large bulldozer.”

“Our shelters are a great option, whether clients are based in their own yards; setting up on job sites fora few months at a time; or are quite mobile.”

Wellington firm TORTO is providing shelter and cover solutions to a growing number of Christchurch contractors on large demolition and construction sites, says director Bernard Smith.

TORTO sells two shelter ranges - a standard range in powder-coated steel manufactured in Asia, that comes in widths ranging from 6-9 metres; and the premium TORTO PLUS range - a New Zealand-made product that comes in 6m to 14m widths.

“We introduced the TORTO PLUS range in the middle of last year. It is a step up in quality with an engineered design and fully galvanised steel frame. It also has a wider span option which gives us the ability to build a much higher shelter.”

TORTO shelters come in container mount, pole mount and ground mount options, and can be designed and built to customer’s specifications.

The company also produces its own range of tarpaulins in a variety of standard sizes from 6m x 6m up to 8m x 12m, plus custom sizing.

The tarpaulins are available for hire or purchase, and can be branded with company logos. The TORTO shelters can only be purchased outright from the company.

In the North Island, TORTO has built a customer base across the spectrum of sectors, including industrial, commercial, educational, recreational, domestic and rural.

“We do quite a bit of work for rural clients. Our shelters are used for poly houses, implement storage, calf shelters, steel barns and vehicle shelters. We also manufacture a significant number of bunker covers used primarily by the dairy industry for storing palm kernel.”

TORTO has five staff at its warehouse and factory in Petone where all the PVC cover and tarpaulin manufacture is carried out. The shelter ranges are manufactured under contract.

Smith’s co-director in the business is his brother Lincoln Smith.

They came up with the company name in reference to the tortoise,

with its “hard, durable shell”.

Prior to establishing the company Lincoln Smith worked in construction for over 10 years, with Bernard Smith involved in sales, administration and customer service.

“Our skill sets complement each other well and we grew up aroundthe textiles industry in which our father had year’s of experience.”

Bernard Smith says the brothers are committed to providing “top quality service” to the Christchurch market.

“As a well-established company offering good quality productsfor a good price, we look forwardto working with new clients in Christchurch. We are committedto providing the sort of efficient, friendly service on which wehave grown our business in the Wellington region.”

16 Marine Parade Petone l Freephone 0800 486 786 l Fax 04 589 7094 l Email [email protected] l www.torto.co.nz

Shelters- Made easy!www.torto.co.nz

› Ripstop material - 5 year UV warranty› Brass eyelets - Reinforcements underneath each eyelet› 8mm x 1200mm ropes - We can make them longer or shorter› Custom sizes available - 3x3 up to 12x8 (larger is possible but gets heavy and awkward)› Branding - Put your logo in the middle of the tarp

Heavy duty PVC tarpaulins

COLOUR OPTIONS:

Torto containermount shelters

DIMENSIONS:› 6m wide x 6m long› 6m wide x 12m long› 6m wide x 24m long› 9m wide x 6m long› 9m wide x 12m long

Page 7: Building Innovations

The range of construction project optimisation technologies offered by Trimble’s new Buildings Group can save clients time and money, and deliver pin-point accuracy on construction sites, says Geo Systems technical sales specialist, Neels van Zyl.

“By integrating the proven range of hardware and software solutions under the Trimble Buildings umbrella for both the office and the construction site, we can help clients to increase efficiencies and maximise profitability of their construction projects across the entire workflow – from simulation to construction.”

Trimble launched the new Buildings Group last November.

Its ground-breaking BIM (Building Information Modeling) technologies are being used by building owners, architects, engineers, general contractors and those in the structures, mechanical, electrical and plumbing fields.

The company’s wide range of intuitive software and field solutions brands include, QuickPen, SketchUp, Tekla, Vico Software and Trimble.

Van Zyl, a South African architect with a passion for technology, was recruited late last year to run the Buildings Group at GeoSystems, a Trimble-owned Christchurch company – the head office for its New Zealand operations.

His role is to tailor technology packages to meet the unique needs of each sector.

“We assess the company and recommend the best solution. Then we

Ground breaking technologies cut costs

Neels van Zyl from Geo Systems,left, and Calder Stewart site manager, Paul Murphy, put the Trimble Robotic Total Station and Trimble Tablet through their paces at Building G, currently under construction in the Hazeldine Business Park. Calder Stewart has been an early adopter of Trimble's project optimisation technology

guide them through the transition phase implementing the systems, and helping them to fully utilise its capabilities.”

Van Zyl walked Business South through Trimble’s Field Link for Structures technology, an impressive system with the latest compact tools to increase productivity and accuracy during the construction layout process.

“This system offers complete on-site control and can save hours and sometimes days of work when it comes to measuring out a building. The system is also extremely accurate and is easy to learn and operate,” he says.

The Trimble Robotic Total Station sets out and measures a building with lasers. It is controlled by the sturdy Trimble Tablet Rugged PC which incorporates Trimble VISION™ technology enabling the operator to remotely control, as well as see, measure, and stake field points through a live video feed.

All information gathered from the field (construction site) can be linked back to design models prepared by architects or engineers in programmes such as Tekla, Autocad or Revit to take their BIM data “to the next level,” says van Zyl.

This is also true of the Trimble TX5 Scanner, a device about the size of a large lunchbox that collects building data from pre-survey modelling to post production.

“This revolutionary scanner replaces the use of a tape measure and camera to manually survey and document a building, again with considerable time savings. It effectively creates a photocopy of the building, producing point-cloud data

that can also be integrated into existing modelling packages.”

Van Zyl says Trimble Field Link takes this data to the “next level” creating set up points for the redesigned building without having to use a measuring table.

“All these can be synced and linked to the hand-held field tablet. The interface is really so simple. Anyone that can operate

Windows can operate Trimble’s field solutions technologies.”

He says Trimble’s technologies are not just restricted to larger companies.

“Anyone willing to take the leap of faith towards this ground-breaking technology can gain the benefits of increased productivity and enhanced accuracy on their building sites.”

Page 8: Building Innovations

8 Building Innovations NZ

Bathrooms & Kitchens - National Kitchen and Bathroom Association

Mardeco International. Ltd. PO Box 131 Whangaparaoa Auckland New Zealand 0943tel. + 64 (0) 9 428 0658 | NZ free phone. 0800 820 840 | fax. +64 (0) 9 428 0659 | email. [email protected]

www.mardeco.co.nz

Mardeco offers you a choice from a select range of beautiful cabinet handles, pull handles, extrusions, knobs,

hooks and door stops, that will complete the vision for your designer kitchen or bathroom.

Mardeco Handles

FITFLEX Wooden Cutlery Tray Insertsmost common drawer systems.

The European made Cutlery insert trays are made of solid beech with a plywood bottom, assembled ready to use.

Suitable for all Dream Kitchen Designs, Contemporary, Country, Small or Large! Ask for FITFLEX Cutlery Inserts at your local kitchen or cabinet maker!

Aesthetic design combined with manufacturing excellence and the personal input of the client produces the ultimate result.

Many have said that Mardeco holds the ultimate combination for the best quality, service and price.

Mardeco International Ltd is an independent privately owned New Zealand company based in Auckland. Established in early 2001, Mardeco imports and markets an ever expanding range of furniture, kitchen, door and joinery hardware.

The Mardeco range of architectural hardware gives kitchens and bathrooms a unique touch. Choose from a select range of beautiful and distinctive cabinet handles, pull handles, flush pulls, extrusions, knobs and door stops that will complete the vision for your designer home. Products are available in a range of finishes including satin chrome, brushed nickel, satin nickel, antique, pewter or polished chrome.

Mardeco also has a range of contemporary stainless steel handles in various sizes available. Other finishes or designs are available on request and Mardeco can even offer custom made designs.

As a leading supplier of architectural hardware Mardeco specialises in bringing innovative new products to the New Zealand market. The Fitflex expandable wooden cutlery tray system is the latest offering by the company, which complements its range of kitchen and bathroom hardware.

Made of solid beech with plywood bottom and clear lacquered surfaces the Fitflex tray gives a unique touch to any kitchen. Fitflex is expandable to fit in carcasses between 400 to 1000 mm and will fit in all common drawer systems. Mardeco is the exclusive distributor in New Zealand of this high quality unique European product.

Mardeco International Ltd has a wide range of customers including kitchen, furniture and door manufacturers, hardware wholesalers and retailers.

Architects and interior designers have specified Mardeco products in various projects around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Mardeco keeps many products in stock meaning often orders can be delivered same or next day depending on location.

Call us toll free for a non-obligation free overview of our range of products on 0800 820 840 or visit our website www.mardeco.co.nz

Mardeco - the best for quality, service, price

Celebrating 30 years of industry supportJo Bailey

The National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) will this year celebrate 30 years of “encouraging member success and excellence”.

The 30th celebrations will be a feature of the association’s annual conference this year, which is being held in Christchurch in July.

NKBA president, Ingrid Geldof says the three-day programme from July 18-20, has plenty to offer including a Certified Designer retreat and gala awards dinner.

“The conference will feature some inspirational keynote speakers; provide opportunities for networking and professional development; and reward the achievements of members,” she says.

Geldof says conference delegates will also have the opportunity to “get out of the venue and have a look at what’s happening in Christchurch”.

“We think people, particularly those from outside the region, will be excited and inspired by some of the creative initiatives Cantabrians are involved with.”

The highly-anticipated NKBA awards will be presented at the gala dinner to be held at Wigram Air base.

Geldof says it is not too late for non-members to join the association and enter their work.

“There is huge value in receiving an NKBA award in terms of recognition and raising the profile of the winner’s business and work. It is a great event to be involved with.”

For the first time, members of the public are also being invited to attend the gala dinner.

This is part of the NKBA’s drive to raise its profile, both within the kitchen and bathroom

industry, and to the wider public.Geldof says she and executive officer Suzie

Rees have worked closely with the NKBA board over the last few months to set the association’s strategic goals and vision.

These include providing leadership and

direction for the kitchen and bathroom industry; offering reputable services to its members; and promoting professionalism and integrity in all business practices.

“One of our key areas of focus is to increase designer and manufacturing member numbers

and to ensure we continue to provide the best possible value to all our members, including suppliers.

“This enables us to build and sustain a more vibrant industry community.”

The NKBA’s newly revamped website to be

Ingrid Geldof: “There is huge value in receiving an NKBA award in terms of recognition and raising the profile of the winner’s business.”

Page 9: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 9

The winning bathroom in last year’s NKBA awards was designed by Debra DeLorenzo of Wellington.

launched soon to keep members connected and up to date with the latest news and events and inform the public of their choices.

The association consists of nine chapters throughout New Zealand which meet monthly to support and educate its members.

With no current licensing scheme for interior designers and the growth in the kitchen and bathroom industry, Geldof says membership of an industry organisation such as NKBA is vital.

“Consumers need assurance they are getting a sound design, sure product or superior service.

“Our members are encouraged to strive for excellence and are given guidelines, codes of practice and opportunities for professional development to ensure they reach the highest standards.”

She says the NKBA liaises with its own tutors and the JoineryITO (that markets and administrators its kitchen and bathroom design courses) to offer a range of educational programmes.

The NKBA recently introduced two new membership categories - associate membership and student membership - to broaden its demographic.

“This initiative allows younger members, or those just starting out in business to rub shoulders with and learn from some of the hugely experienced and talented people in the industry.”

The NKBA also works closely with key suppliers and sponsors - some that have worked alongside or supported the association for its three decades in operation.

“We are a bit of a catalyst for the industry, bringing suppliers, designers and manufacturers together to come up with more interesting and innovative ways to do business.”

Geldof believes there is “endless scope” in terms of what the NKBA can offer the kitchen and bathroom industry.

“We will continue to do whatever we can to support the industry and set it up for the exciting challenges ahead.”

Bathrooms & Kitchens - National Kitchen and Bathroom Association

This kitchen design by Robin Caudwell of Hamilton won the Kitchen of the Year award at last year’s NKBA awards.

Page 10: Building Innovations

The function of a new kitchen is just as important as its aesthetics, says Nicola Chan of Blum NZ Ltd.

”People often think about the kitchen colours or type of bench-top they’re going to get well before they think about its functionality and how everything is going to fit together.

“But with kitchen cupboards and drawers opened an average combined total of 80 times every day it is something to be seriously considered.”

Blum is a 60-year-old international company that specialises in the production of functional furniture fittings.

Its main product groups are drawer systems, lift mechanisms and hinges for furniture - particularly kitchen furniture.

The brand has been available in New Zealand through a distributor since 1986.

However in the last three years, the Austrian based company has formalised its presence in the market here, opening product showrooms in Auckland and Christchurch in 2012.

“Although we primarily sell directly to trade, the showrooms were designed to showcase the Blum range to the end-users.

“They can learn more about the quality, space-saving and practical features of Blum products from our showroom consultants, then discuss with their own designer or cabinetmaker how they might be incorporated into their new kitchen.”

All the kitchen displays are complete with appliances and goods so people can see the products in action.

Focus on functionality There are even on-site consultant’s rooms that can be used by designers and their clients when they visit the showrooms together.

“The new showrooms have proved extremely popular. They are quite unique, with all of the displays painted white; so the emphasis is on the interior organisation and the functionality of the cabinets first. Once this has been established, the exterior aesthetics are then easily applied.”

Ms Chan says Blum’s showroom consultants are not there to sell the product - just offer practical tips; “so the pressure is off”.

If people can’t get into the showrooms, she recommends they visit the Blum website, which was recently upgraded and features all the company’s latest product innovations and kitchen organisational tips.

In September last year Blum launched its latest product, SERVO-DRIVE uno that allows rubbish bin drawers to open automatically at a single touch.

“This product is so practical. People can even use their hip, knee or foot to open it if their hands are full of rubbish or food scraps.”

The system is also easily retro-fitted into existing kitchens with Blum drawers, she says.With the average kitchen holding 250 kg (or 14 shopping trolleys full in volume) of kitchen equipment and food items, it pays to consider Blum’s range of practical, ergonomically designed, high quality products.

“We also offer a limited lifetime warranty, with 100,000 openings for drawers and 200,000 openings for hinges.”

To learn more visit the Blum Christchurch showroom: 27 Dalziel Place, Woolston, Ph: 03 379 4984 or browse: www.blum.com Blum’s main products are drawer systems, lift mechanisms and hinges for furniture.

Page 11: Building Innovations

• With 12 stores throughout the North Island and wholesaling to the South Island we have the country covered, no project too small or too big

• On site measure and quote

• Auckland design studio displaying stock of stone, marble, porcelain, ceramics, pool tiles and copings, floating deck systems, shower decks, the list goes on

• We are happy to supply architects and designers with 100 x 100mm sample boxes of their choice for ease of selection with clients

• With many international sales each year our distribution team are very experienced with sending orders overseas

• We carry stock of some very innovative product such as our Italian floating decking system for indoor and outdoor waterproofed membrane surfaces

Please check out the website for residential andcommercial assistance or contact Andrew directly on

0800 555 991

THE TILE DEPOT COMMERCIAL

www.tiledepot.co.nz

Tile Depot commercial manager Andrew Smith brings with him a vast knowledge in the construction industry

• Residential & Commercial

• Project Management of Earthquake Damage & Repairs

• Specialising in Historic & Character Homes & Buildings

• All Types of Wallpaper & Wall coverings

• Textured & Spray Coatings

SOUTH ISLAND WIDEPh 03 381 8423 Fax 03 381 7212PO Box 15010, Christchurch 8643Email: [email protected]

H o l d i n g s L i m i t e dP A I N T I N G C O N T R A C T O R S

Long-standing South Island painting and decorating company Brown and Syme Holdings, now twice as big as it was before the Christchurch earthquakes, is currently busy helping displaced Christchurch businesses to get settled into new permanent premises.

Established in 1936, Brown and Syme is an expert in interior and exterior decorating for residential, commercial, and public buildings. The company started in Christchurch as Alfred Brown & Co (Painters) and in 1949, R M Syme Ltd (Painters) was established.

In 1989, a son and grandson of the original owners Colin Brown and Steve Syme, merged the two companies and Brown & Syme Holdings.

Peter Mason joined Brown and Syme as a director in 1993. He had been apprenticed to Alfred Brown & Co as a painter in 1973 and after serving his time, was promoted to supervisor and contracts manager.

Mason became a shareholder in Brown and Syme with the retirement of Steve Syme, and eventually he took over the Brown and Syme business.

In 2005, he was joined by Bruce Hodges, an employee for many years, who had worked his way through the ranks from an apprentice to a supervisor.

Brown and Syme Painters & Decorators expanded to Nelson in the late 1990s, and in 2003, Richard Haynes became

a business partner looking after the Tasman region. Haynes has extensive experience in the paint industry having worked as the branch manager and sales representative for Resene for 10 years.

Today Brown and Syme employs close to 40 staff in Christchurch, and another 10 in Nelson.

Immediately following the Christchurch earthquakes, the company was quick to double its staff in order to assist with the huge amount of repairs and relocations needed to get businesses back up and running.

Brown and Syme repainted the earthquake damaged Les Mills Gym on Cashel Street which at the time was located in the Red Zone, to enable it to re-open on time.The company also painted and freshened up several of the old Telecom Exchange buildings to be used by displaced Telecom staff.

The company has been called on its expertise for many historic buildings and private houses including the Rangi Ruru Girls School administration building, which was severely damaged during the earthquakes and had to be completely gutted and refit.

Working with Fletcher Construction, Brown and Syme extensively repainted the historic Otahuna Lodge at Tai Tapu.

In February it was damaged again and the company was called in to re-repair the building.

Painting services in demand

Page 12: Building Innovations

Christchurch NZ Shane Walls-Harris P: +64 021 140 1738 E: [email protected] Coast, Australia Eric Sagmeister P: +61 41 081 7455 E: [email protected]

Consulting and project management facilitator in the promotion and delivery of future in home technologies. We provide custom solutions to suit individual needs.

FUTURE IN HOME TECHNOLOGIES

» Monitoring» Automation » Security» Surveillance

» Grey water reticulation» Smart aids » Mobility » Communications

» Safety aides for the kitchen or bathroom

We help to take the complexity out of projects for our clients, engineer solutions, project manage, and most often save our clients lots of money and time.

www.smartcabling.com.auwww.smartcabling.co.nz

Branches:Sopers NZ Limited have a branch with ashowroom near you:Auckland - New Plymouth - Wellington - Christchurch

Our Vision is to be the leading specialists of Door, Window andBathroom hardware in New Zealand

www.sopers.co.nz

Physical Address9 Matipo StreetChristchurch

Opening HoursMonday - Friday: 8am - 5pmPhone ( 03 ) 341 2145Fax ( 03 ) 341 2146Email [email protected]

Master Key Systems Worldwide ShippingHardware Installation

SERVICES

Postal AddressPO Box 1864Christchurch 8140

Sopers has just introduced a new product called Schlage LINK, that makes managing a home’s security and comfort as easy as logging onto an iPad or using a smartphone.

“Schlage LINK gives people simple, remote access to their home systems such as locks, lights, cameras and small appliances via the web from their smart phone, computer or tablet. It’s a really exciting product with several optional features that allow people to choose how simple or sophisticated they want their system to be,” says Richard Hurley, Sopers’ South Island manager.

This could mean anything from simple remote electronic locking or unlocking of the front door; to management of home lighting and heating; and the use of cameras that allow people to keep an eye on their home from the office, or even when they are on holiday overseas.

“People can let in family members who have locked themselves out or trades-people there to do a job, without having to be there themselves.

“The system can also be programmed with added security features, such as a hall light coming on, or cameras recording for 30 seconds every time someone enters the house.”

The system’s technology supports all major web browsers and smartphone platforms, and is easily accessed through an email address which provides added security to the user.

Hurley says the electronic door lock works in similar fashion to a hotel room lock, and will relock itself in around seven seconds if it is not opened.

An affordable monthly monitoring fee of around $9 per month is charged to people who choose the camera option, with all video records accessible to the user via a website.

“We think this is one of the most exciting new electronic lock and monitoring products to enter the market in the last five years.

“The Sopers team has had a lot of fun learning about all its features and we’ve got a great current special on the product available from our website or our Christchurch showroom in Riccarton where we sell direct to the public,” says Hurley.

Sopers is one of New Zealand’s leading architectural hardware suppliers.

Its comprehensive product range includes everything from door hardware, window fittings and catches, cabinet knobs and handles, and door seals; to home security and safety solutions, sign letters and numbers, bathroom and washroom accessories, and disabled toilet and shower hardware.

“It is our goal is to offer the widest range of products and brands and innovative new products such as Schlage LINK that allow us to provide the best possible solution for our clients’ needs.”

The best in remote access

With the home of the future certain to contain smart technologies that we can only imagine today, Christchurch company FutureHome is leading the way towards providing smarter living with a focus on aged care.

FutureHome director Shane Walls-Harris says the company is collaborating with partners in New Zealand, Australia, and other parts of the world to form the technologies behind the home of the future.

“Solutions must be practical, sensible, simple to use, and most of all, within the financial reach of the masses,” he says.

“We’re looking at taking what people already have, getting the full benefits out of it, and adding other applications to suit their needs.”

Walls-Harris says these days older people are staying in their own homes for longer, and statistics prove elderly people can live longer, happier lives if they can stay safely in their own home.

Relocation of elderly people from their family home can be related to stress and additional health problems that could be avoided by remaining in their home as long as possible. However, today’s in-home elderly management technologies still use 25 year old pendant technologies.

“We believe retiring baby boomers who are already familiar with some form of current technology, such as computers and the internet, will be demanding smarter living in their environments and in their personal lives,” he says.

“We help people to get into the right infrastructure for the things they would like to have control over. We can keep it simple by

using things they are familiar with rather than introducing complex new technologies.

“For example, the existing house alarm can probably be expanded to include other signals such as lighting. There are so many things that are possible, it’s only limited by your imagination.”

He believes in the near future it will be the children’s responsibility to manage their elderly parents and possibly carry the cost of their health care and living conditions.

These people will want and expect products that give their parents the freedom of personalised, unobtrusive home care.

FutureHome technologies could offer a compliment to carers or doctors with various levels of integrated options for monitoring and patient management. Examples include a smart fridge which records what has been eaten and what foods need to be ordered, or automated text monitoring to alert a carer to a medical emergency, and record blood pressure and heart rates.

Walls-Harris says while there is a bit of technology for everyone, depending on their home and lifestyle, he has discovered it is evolving very fast.

“We like to be right at the leading edge, we’re talking to people and learning so we can be in a position where we can help people,” he says.

“There’s so much going on now and things aren’t what they were five years ago. These things belong in the house of the future, and we can make it simple. Its only limited by your imagination - if you want something special, you can have it.”

Exciting future for aged care

Page 13: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 13

Residential - David Reid Homes Southland

0800 50 22 50www.nind.co.nz

INVERCARGILL WINTONQUEENSTOWN

CROMWELL DUNEDIN

• Industrial • Commercial • Residential

CONNOR &FITZPATRICK

The brands you want frompeople you trust

35-37 Medway StreetPO Box 57, Gore 9740Phone: 03 208 6741

Fax: 03 208 5012Email: [email protected]

Electrical Contractors& retailers

Plumbing: • New homes, repairs & maintenance, roofing & spouting• Solar installations• Geothermal hot water heating• Boiler and radiator heating• Commercial and domestic maintenance

Drainage: • Onsite sewerage disposal systems – designs, installations and servicing• Southland agents for Oasis Clearwater aerated and standard septic systems• Digger hire and field drainage

Mahon Plumbing LimitedCertifying Plumbers and DrainlayersPO Box 1551, Invercargill 9840Mobile: 0274 332 277 Fax: 03 215 9128Email: [email protected]: www.mahonplumbing.co.nz

Proud to be associated with David Reid Homes Southland

Mahon Plumbing LimitedCertifying Plumbers and Drainlayers

PROUD TO SUPPORT

CHRIS, TRACEY AND THE TEAM AT DAVID REID HOMES SOUTHLAND

PHONE

03 208 7377

THE GARAGE DOOR CENTREGORE

7 Miro Street | PO Box 246 | Gore | Fax 03 208 7397 | Mobile 021 775 762 | Email [email protected]

Delivering top quality homes with style Jo Bailey

Award-winning builders Chris and Tracey Leith of David Reid Homes Southland stick firmly to their mantra of quality over quantity.

“Anybody can knock up a square box. However we prefer to concentrate on delivering a top quality home with unique style,” says Chris.

“Our craftsmen build around 12 to 16 new homes a year which means we can offer a more personalised service to our clients and achieve the level of excellence we strive for.”

David Reid Homes Southland has a big following in the rural sector.

The company has built everything from large million-dollar country homes, to substantial homes on lifestyle properties, and two- to three-bedroom houses used as worker’s accommodation.

“Last year we built seven dairy houses, and have even put together packages for a few farmers - building their own homes as well as their workers’ or farm manager’s accommodation.”

The company also does a strong amount of business in the urban residential market.

The Leiths have operated the David Reid Homes Southland franchise since 2005, which covers a wide area from Balclutha to Bluff and across to Te Anau.

Leith has been in the industry 22 years and was running his own building company when he first noticed a couple of David Reid homes while holidaying in Wanaka.

“I was impressed at the style and quality of the homes so when the opportunity came up to take on the Southland franchise I thought it was a worthwhile proposition.

“Although I already had a good name in the region, taking on the franchise has opened up a whole new area of business. It has also given us valuable buying power plus the back up and support of a nationwide company.”

The Leiths manage the company’s Gore office with support from an administrator. The company also has an Invercargill sales office located at its showhome in the Northwood Estate which is looked after by project manager Hayden Rankin and salesperson Julie Jack.

Rankin also runs his own building team HR Building that is contracted back to David Reid Homes Southland, along with the Leith’s own firm of builders.

“We try to keep the construction work in-house as much as possible but have a group of reliable outside contractors we can call on in busy times,” says Chris. “Although we operate from two offices we take a group approach to our projects in terms of sales and project management. This works really well.”

The company has produced many gold award-winning homes at the Registered Master Builders Awards, reaching the national finals five time, and winning a National Award in the New Homes $350,000 - $450,000 category.

“The awards are great for our profile and prove to clients that we don’t just talk about producing high quality homes - we deliver them. It shows that we’re up to that level.”

Chris Leith says the Completion Guarantee, David Reid Homes fixed price contracts, and flexibility throughout the construction process are other selling points for the company.

“Clients want to have the ability to change their mind on aspects of the home during the process, without it affecting the cost too much.”

Leith says his passion for the building game is as “strong as ever” and he is excited about the changes ahead for the industry.

“I think the style and the way we build houses is going to change dramatically in the next five to 10 years.

“There is a growing focus on passive and sustainable materials and technology to create efficiencies and cost savings.

“The industry is moving into a really interesting era.”

Leith is confident the worst impacts of the downturn are over.

“We have a steady workflow, which is more than enough to keep us happy.” David Reid Homes Southland has produced many award-winning homes.

Your first stop for all:• Interior & Exterior Painting • Plaster Board Stopping

• Wall Papering • Fabric Hanging • Colour Consultants

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Kim: 027 433 [email protected]

Tony: 027 489 3583Office/Fax (03) 208 3000PO Box 179, Gore

Agents forAll Workmanship Guaranteed

Page 14: Building Innovations

14 Building Innovations NZ

Civil Construction & Infrastructure

Muldoon's Corner Realignment, Rimutaka Hill, Wellington

Muldoons corner has been a treacherous bend on an already tight, twisting road that climbs over the Rimutaka Hill connecting Wellington to the Wairarapa region.The corner was named after Right wing Prime minister Sir Robert Muldoon, as the corner tightens to the right. The sharp corner was too tight for more than one truck to pass at a time, which meant trucks had to radio ahead to warn oncoming trucks when they would be passing, so they didn't meet at the same time. Opus International Consultants and Hawkins Infrastructure were engaged by The New Zealand Transport Agency to realign the upper section of the Rimutaka Hill road on the south side of the summit.The Rimutaka Hill was an extremely difficult site both in terms of access and atmos-phere. Wind, rain and snow effected, even in the summer months, the weather at the top of the range was quite extreme to say the least!.Hawkins Infrastructure awarded Ancor Loc the ground anchoring side of the project.  Anchors were used to stabilize the huge wedges of rock on the cut face and also in new and existing walls. A total of 130 ground anchors were installed, comprised from 1034mpa / 150KSI All-Thread-Rebar, ranging from 32mm - 65mm in diameter. A total of 1000m of Sub Horizontal Drains were installed to control underground water levels. Ancor Loc's extensive fleet was used to carry out the drilling, including track drill rigs, excavator mounted drill rigs and abseiling drill rigs.Ground Anchorages were installed up to 20m deep, cased through overburden material then drilled into solid rock. Trial anchors were tested to 2400kN.This high profile job was a great project, testing every aspect at all levels of our company and we are proud to have been involved with such a landmark project.

Hobson St Substation, Auckland

Transpower New Zealand together with Vector is constructing a new substation at Hobson Street in Central Auckland. The new substation will connect the new under-ground cable circuit being installed as part of the North Auckland and Northland Grid Upgrade Project (NAN project) and will help reinforce electricity supply to Auckland’s CBD.Ancor Loc  was engaged by Hawkins Infrastructure as the preferred anchoring contractor on this difficult design and construct project.A variety of ground anchors were specified to enable demolition of the existing structure and excavation to allow for the new substation.  The unknown details of surrounding ground conditions meant a strict testing and monitoring process was used with the first stages of installation. This was used to determine the effectiveness, behaviour and holding capacity of ground anchors, and included several creep tests held for a 48-hour long period. The process was overseen by the design engineers BECA and Aurecon, with all anchors meeting test criteria and incorporated within the construction, some as permanent production anchors and some temporary. Ancor Loc’s success was largely due to our unique experience in tight access drilling, including rock anchors drilled with the confinement of a new tunnel using a remotw powered tight access drill rig. In total 75 Grouted 1030 mpa and 500 mpa All Thread Bar Anchors were installed over five stages of construction.

                                                     

www.ancorloc.co.nz

Freephone: 0800 22 43 [email protected]

The environmental aspects of the build of the new $24 million Atiamuri Bridge added to the challenges around the project, says NZ Transport Agency acting projects service manager Peter Simcock.

The project, which was opened to the public on March 18, has seen a new bridge, spanning the Waikato River, constructed about 75 metres upstream of the current bridge on State Highway 1 (SH1) in South Waikato.

The construction site area is bounded by Lake Ohakuri, the Waikato River and the Mangaharakeke Stream and the project involved laying 10,000 square metres of biodegradable coconut matting to minimise erosion.

Pine tree mulch was created from a cleared plantation pine forest and the mulch was used in alternate layers with construction site waste material to restore the forest area and increase soil fertility. Five sediment ponds were created to protect waterways from sediment runoff during the project.

“The stream is considered to be the most sensitive of the three waterways to potential environmental impacts.

Atiamuri Bridge - quick facts

• 1200 metres of stormwater drainage pipes

• 50 new drainage structures (manholes, catchpits, headwalls)

• 3500 metres of pavement drains• 24,000 tonnes of pavement aggregate

concrete• 30,000sqm of chipseal surfacing• 330,000 litres of bitumen• 380 tonnes of structural bridge steel• 320 tonnes of reinforcing steel• 1200 cubic metres of concrete

Environment a key factor in constructionKaren Phelps

“This aspect was recognised in the team’s innovative approach to constructing the project’s sediment ponds to ensure these waterways were protected from sediment runoff,” says Simcock.

The project has already won an award from the Waikato Regional Council for achieving a high quality of erosion and sediment control on earthworks in the ‘innovative practice’ category.

“The award reflects the effort the Agency is making to minimise the environmental impacts of its construction projects.

“We acknowledge that our projects can have significant effects on the environment - sediment run off is a particular concern.

“That’s why we put a lot of emphasis on minimising environmental effects during and after construction.

The award recognises how our projects can be adapted to take account of extremely sensitive environments, making on-going improvements to processes along the way,” he says.

The overall scope of work has been significant and the project took more than 100,000 labour hours.

It involved shifting 300,000 cubic metres of earth, realigning SH1 to the new bridge location and improving the alignment of SH1 with SH30.

A new northbound passing lane was created between SH30 and Hatu Patu’s rock and road repairs were carried out to the existing pavement along the length of the passing lane. A shared pedestrian/cycle path was created on the new bridge and another crossing is being created to connect SH1 to the Waikato River Trails.

A new landscaped rest area created next to SH30 (Ongaroto Road) will provide access

to the Waikato River and Waikato River Trails and 6000 new native plant will be planted over coming weeks.

Simcock says that SH1 is a significant freight route and the new bridge will ensure route security and improve safety, reliability and access along this section of the highway.

“The completion of the new bridge will bring regional and national benefits while stimulating economic growth locally and New Zealand-wide.

“It will also ensure better and safer movement of people and freight between the lower North Island and the Upper North Island’s golden triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga.”

The new Atiamuri Bridge over the Waikato River is upstream of the current bridge.

... we put a lot of

emphasis on minimising

environmental effects

during and after

construction.”

Page 15: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 15

Civil Construction & Infrastructure

TRANZCARRHEAVY HAULAGE

“LEADER OF THEIR FIELD”

134A Plunket Avenue (Head Office), Manukau, AucklandPO Box 23194, Hunters Corners, Auckland • E-mail: [email protected]

Phone (09) 263 9900 • Fax (09) 278 3600 • Web: www.tranzcarr.co.nz

The Newmarket Viaduct Replacement Project, which was officially completed on March 15, has attracted international attention due to a world-first build and deconstruct sequence, says NZ Transport Agency’s state highways manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker.

Because of the importance of the Southern Motorway the motorway was kept open for the duration of the project and instead the old viaduct was removed and simultaneously replaced. To put things in perspective the project involved stablising the whole structure so that it could be cut in half down its centre separating the north and southbound lanes while ensuring that each half remained safely functional without its other half for support.

The NGA Newmarket Alliance comprising NZTA, Leighton Contractors, Fulton Hogan, VSL NZ, URS, Beca, Tonkin & Taylor and Boffa Miskell planned the project in four stages.

Stage one saw a new southbound viaduct built, parallel to and slightly overlapping, the old southbound viaduct. During the next stage traffic was moved on to the new southbound lanes and the old southbound structure was deconstructed. In the gap left by the removal of the old southbound structure, the new northbound viaduct was built. Then traffic was moved on to the new northbound lanes and the old northbound viaduct was removed.

Parker says a key challenge was health and safety as contractors were working within metres of the busy live motorway at heights of up to 23 metres over a built-up residential and commercial suburb with a train track and main arterial route carrying another 55,000

Newmarket Viaduct project sets standardKaren Phelps

vehicles a day. A large 860 tonne 140 metre long launching gantry was a key aspect of the project. During the project the gantry lifted more than 900 segments of concrete each weighing between 50-110 tonnes.

Parker says the project, which spanned four and a half years, is one of New Zealand’s largest civil contracting projects. The project has won several awards including a 2012 New Zealand Contractors Federation Safety Award in the category of safety leadership for projects over $10m and several community engagement awards.

The project also won the 2012 World Demolition Award in the civil category.

Now that it is completed Parker says the project will result in safer and more efficient travel for the 160,000 vehicles which pass through this section of motorway each day. The viaduct is also now seismically strong enough to survive a one in 2500 year seismic event (previously it could have survived a one in 200 year event).

“This is the first time that the deconstruction of an existing viaduct has taken place in an urban environment next to a busy functional motorway without interrupting traffic flow. We believe that this project has set an industry benchmark for a number of

Newmarket Viaduct - facts and figures• Project duration: 49 months• Project cost: $244 million• Length of bridge: 690 metres• Number of segments: 498• Number of columns: 24 • Length of stressing strands used: 544 km• Reinforced steel used: 4200 tonnes• Total concrete poured: 30,000m3

activities including working at heights, heavy lifting, working alongside motorway traffic, and community and stakeholder engagement. This project has put New Zealand on the map in terms of these types of projects.”

The Newmarket Viaduct Replacement Project is one of a number of improvements to transport connections around and through Auckland.

Just a few kilometres away work is already underway on the Waterview Connection and work will start shortly on widening and raising the causeway on State Highway 16. Both

projects form part of the Western Ring Route Road of National Significance.

Parker says that when these two projects are completed the 47 kilometre Western Ring Route will be finished providing an alternative motorway running from Manukau to Albany.

“Auckland Council has earmarked northwest Auckland and southwest Auckland as major growth areas. The Western Ring Route will improve transport connections between these areas as well as Auckland International Airport, which will then have a direct link with the CBD.”

Page 16: Building Innovations

16 Building Innovations NZ

Commercial Building - Steel Conference NZ

79 O’Rorke Rd, Penrose, AucklandPH 09 579 8196 FAX 09 579 1392email: [email protected]

7 Finlayson St, WhangareiPH 09 430 6407 FAX 09 430 4023email: [email protected]

We meet our deadlines, so you can meet yours!!!

Bolts, Nuts, WashersScrews & Rivets in all

grades & materials

www.steelmasters.co.nz - Online Ordering Now Available

• Mild Steel, High Tensile & Stainless Bolts & Nuts• Washers• Screws• Cladding Fasteners• Rivets• Tie & Sag Rods• Tumbuckles & Stubs

• Rag Bolts• Threaded rod• Building Brackets• EYE Bolts• Anchor Bolts• L & U Bolts• Custom Threading

It’s no secret why Steelmasters has been successful for 40 years supplying fastenings into the building/construction and engineering industries.

The company philosophy is quite simple: “Provide the right product at the right time and customers will come back for more,” says company group general manager Phillip Curreen.

The company’s reputation for doing exactly that coupled with stocking a full range of fastenings and backing it up with a service that is second to none has meant year in and year out customers keep coming back, says Curreen.

The company’s range of bolts and nuts manufactured in-house or sourced from quality assured sources makes it the one-stop-shop for metal fastenings. The company supplies all head styles and finishes including mild steel hex head, cup head and coach screws. All are high tensile and high strength with a choice of both G304 and G316 stainless steels. Threads offered are ISO metric both coarse and fine, UNC, UNF, SAE, UN8, BSW and BSF in diameters from 2.5mm to 64mm.

Steelmasters manufactures and stocks a wide range of building brackets including holding down bolts in rag, L and U styles, sag and tie rods, turnbuckles, pipe and trailer U bolts, eye bolts and screw eyes, building brackets, pole house bolts, straps, braces, threaded rod and washers. Screws stocked include wood screws, chipboard screws, self-drilling and self-tapping screws, cladding fasteners and machine screws.

A full range of masonry anchors including

such diverse products as expansion sleeve anchors, tru-bolts and chemical anchors fit well with the company’s standard holding down bolts. Most are also available in stainless steel.

The company places great emphasis on producing high quality products and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction to generate repeat business. In order to achieve this one of the main objectives is to maintain a properly managed quality system and provide objective evidence that these systems are functioning correctly.

As a one-stop shop for fastenings Steelmasters’ unique offering of ISO 9002 quality assurance, comprehensive stock, manufacturing ability and in-house corrosion control cannot be surpassed.

Steelmasters is a privately owned New Zealand company founded in 1973. The company initially manufactured special bolts and fittings for the construction industry. This expertise in custom threading led to the expansion of manufacturing into standard commercial bolts and nuts by both hot forging and cold forging processes.

Steelmasters is part of the Steelmasters Group which includes six Boltmasters branches in Australia and four Steelmasters branches in New Zealand in Palmerston North, Whangarei and Napier with company head office and bulk store in Penrose, Auckland. Customers include most major manufacturers and construction companies. The company also supplies products to the general public. Online ordering now available at: www.steelmasters.co.nz

Thinking nuts and bolts - think Steelmasters 40 Years Supplying Fastenings to the New Zealand Industry

Conference showcases steel innovationsJo Bailey

Emerging seismic-resisting steel technologies were showcased to around 180 delegates at the Steel Innovations 2013 conference held in Christchurch in February.

“The event was a great opportunity for the engineering community to assemble, share knowledge, and learn about these exciting, innovative systems and technologies and what they could offer the Christchurch rebuild,” says Alistair Fussell, manager of Steel Construction New Zealand that organised the event.

Fussell says one of the most notable changes in structural engineering since the disaster has been a move towards ‘Damage Control Design’ to limit building damage in future seismic events.

This has seen a departure from the traditional ductile design which saved lives in the quakes, but was unable to minimise structural damage to buildings.

“This resulted in significant economic loss for building owners and considerable downtime during the repair or rebuild process. However low-damage seismic-resisting steel technologies can withstand major earthquakes and require no major post-earthquake repair.”

A paper presented to the conference by Associate Professor Stefano Pampanin of the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury and structural engineers Doug Latham and Alan Reay of Alan Reay Consultants highlighted New Zealand’s first application of steel PRESS technology in action on the new Kilmore Street Medical Centre building.

The 5000sqm, three-storey building in the central business district utilises a post-tensioned, steel controlled rocking and

dissipating (hybrid) system, which in a seismic event would allow controlled rocking of the structure to reduce damage to the primary structural elements.

Their report said the building was currently under construction and “generally within budget and on schedule. It has shown that this type of system is viable for future developments.”

Other systems that embody this performance-based design philosophy including the eccentrically braced frame (EBF) with removable link; and buckling restrained braces (BRB) which have been used overseas

for several years but have had only limited use in New Zealand to date.

Fussell says that he expects there to be “widespread uptake” of these technologies as the rebuild progresses.

“It meets the higher performance expectations of building owners in the post-earthquake environment.”

Fussell says he has received excellent feedback from delegates since the conference about the “quality and calibre” of its local and international speakers and the range of topics they covered.

“We had a great cross-section of speakers -

everyone from local consultants talking about their new projects; to academics revealing the latest research; and practitioners who are putting the technology to use in real-life projects.”

The conference programme also featured a number of papers involving post-graduate students under the leadership of local steel experts Associate Professors Charles Clifton (University of Auckland) and Greg MacRae (University of Canterbury).

“The research was highly innovative and is already finding its way into rebuild projects such as the Kilmore Street Medical Centre.”

The Kilmore Street Medical Centre being built in Christchurch is using the latest in steel construction technology.

Page 17: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 17

Commercial Building - Image Construction

• Residential & Commercial • Project Management of Earthquake Damage & Repairs• Specialising in Historic & Character Homes & Buildings • All Types of Wallpaper & Wall coverings• Textured & Spray Coatings SOUTH ISLAND WIDEPh 03 381 8423 Fax 03 381 7212PO Box 15010, Christchurch 8643Email: [email protected]

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J.B.Joinery Ltd18 Hands Road, AddingtonPO Box 6062, Christchurch

Ph 03 338 4159Fx 03 338 9998

J B Joinery Ltd are proud to support the team at Image Construction LtdFor all commercial & residential joinery contact J B Joinery Ltd

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

Specialising in all types of Sheetmetal EngineeringPhone: 03 341 6091 Fax: 03 341 6092

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• 15 Years in business • Large pour specialists• Over 10 years laser screed experience• Full decorative service

University project ticks all the boxesJo Bailey

Image Construction has been awarded the contract to build another high-profile public facility.

In April the Christchurch firm will start work on the new $3.3 million Lincoln library and service centre on a site beside the town’s current library which is being demolished.

This project follows the company’s work on the Undercroft Lounge in the James Hight Building at the University of Canterbury, where stage one works transformed a large bicycle storage and thoroughfare area into a sophisticated student lounge.

Image Construction also completed stage two of the multi-million dollar project which saw the addition of commercial tenancies including cafes, food outlets and a wine bar.

Director James Woods says the Undercroft project was completed under an “immensely tight timeframe” to remedy the shortage of social and study spaces on campus after the UCSA building was damaged in the February earthquake.

“With winter approaching, the University wanted to get students out of the tent city temporarily housing their social activity as quickly as possible. In mid May 2013 we were given a brief, budget and 12 week timeline for stage one of the project that included initial design, budgeting and construction.”

Woods says close collaboration between the University, Image Construction and other consultants involved with the project saw the stage delivered on-time, with compliance from the Christchurch City Council allowing immediate occupation.

“This was very much a collaborative project with project documents becoming available as the design progressed. To achieve consents and get through all the bureaucracy in such a short time frame was quite an achievement.”

Woods has praise for his site manager and a “great team” working on the project including a range of sub-contractors.

“Getting the right sub-contractors with experience working on these sorts of institutional projects with tight constraints was integral to the success of the contract.

“Everyone stepped up and performed.”In October last year, Image Construction

and architects Warren & Mahoney were approached by the New Zealand Institute of Building to lead a group of around 50 people through the project.

“The Institute considered it a significant post-earthquake project for Christchurch.

“It was great to go back and reflect on what we had achieved.”

Woods says Image Construction is looking forward to building the 700sqm Lincoln library and service centre that is expected to open to the public in early 2014.

“We are pleased to be working alongside Selwyn District Council to deliver a great facility to the community”.

In addition the company has several large architectural homes under construction and more about to start.

“The top-end residential market has been almost dead since the earthquakes but the balance has started to shift. We’re getting a lot more enquiries for architectural homes and from people wanting to build on the hillsides.”

Refurbishments for clients in a range of sectors including retail, entertainment, medicine, education and industry make up the balance of Image Construction’s portfolio.

Woods says the medium-sized company’s future growth will be “controlled and sustained” to preserve its reputation for providing personalised, quality service.

“We believe our team of dedicated and skilled site managers and builders deliver a product that is second-to-none, and we don’t intend to compromise that by growing too fast.”

The Undercroft Lounge project at the University of Canterbury has transformed a large bicycle storage and thoroughfare area into a sophisticated student lounge.

Page 18: Building Innovations

18 Building Innovations NZ

Drug testing doesn’t have to be part of an overall workplace drug and alcohol policy – but it should be, advises Dr Paul Fitzmaurice, manager of the ESR’s bioanalytical programmes, which includes workplace drug testing.

Fitzmaurice says that having a sound policy in place ensures that companies are meeting legal requirements and protecting themselves.

Depending on the business the workplace drug and alcohol policy could simply be included as part of the overall Health and Safety or Human Resources policy.

“This may cite in general terms what is acceptable behaviour in the workplace with regards to this issue and what isn’t,” says Fitzmaurice.

He says that a drug and alcohol policy helps to ensure staff understand the employers expectations for maintaining an alcohol and drug free work environment and outlines procedures for dealing with substance abuse in the workplace.

Highlighting the potential legal consequences of failing to have a sound policy in place, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) stresses that drugs and alcohol in the workplace are serious issues that can put the health and safety of staff at risk and affect performance and productivity.

“The Ministry advises employers need to manage these risks like any other significant hazard in the workplace,” says MBIE General Manager Health and Safety Operations Ona de Rooy.

“Employers are required to identify the risks to their business and staff from any employee under the influence of drugs or alcohol and decide how they will deal with these risks.”

The first step Fitzmaurice suggests is for a company to assess its risk.

Some companies such as those where staff is dealing with heavy machinery or where staff impairment may lead to a risk to the public obviously need more stringent policies in place.

But risk may not just be limited to safety – productivity is another key risk area for many businesses with regards to drug and alcohol use in and outside the workplace.

“For example if someone makes a mistake at the computer it could cost the business significant amount of money to put it right. This is a real risk to a business as well.”

Although he acknowledges that drug and alcohol misuse are not a problem for the majority of workers, ESR statistics show 25%-30% drug positive rate in reasonable cause/post incident testing compared to 5% drug positive in random and pre-employment testing proving that drug testing can act as a deterrent to mitigate potential problems.

Fitzmaurice says that typically when a case ends up in litigation it is usually that the policy has not been followed or implemented correctly thereby exposing the company to legal risk.

He stresses that a drug and alcohol workplace policy is only part of the solution, which could also include education/training, pre-employment drug testing, post-accident/incident testing, reasonable cause testing, random testing, voluntary and compulsory rehabilitation.

Karen Phelps

Health & Safety

Workplace Drug &Alcohol ProgrammesDrugFree Sites provide workplace drug & alcohol testing services, policies, procedures & education.

They help reduce risk of injury & facilities damage by decreasing the incidence of staff working while under the influence of drugs & alcohol.

• Policies, Procedures & Implementation• Training: Managers & Staff• Oral Fluid Testing Advice• NZQA Courses: Urine Collection & Drug Screening• Alcohol Testing Training• Relationship with Qualified Screening Agents & Accredited Laboratories

Sue Nolan MSc.(Hons), MNZIC, PG.Dip.Bus.Forensic Toxicologist &Workplace Drug Testing Expert

E [email protected] (09) 356 7377 M 021 877 606

www.drugfreesites.co.nz

“A WORKPLACE free from DRUG& ALCOHOL MISUSE is SAFER.”

– Sue Nolan

“A WORKPLACE free from DRUG& ALCOHOL MISUSE is SAFER.”

– Sue Nolan

• AS/NZS4308: 2008 Standards Committee Member• Distributor of AS/NZS4308: 2008 Verified Microscreen Drug Testing Kits• Distributor of Calibrated Breathalysers

Workplace drug and alcohol policies and procedures must be legally robust, operationally and procedurally sound, technically compliant with international testing standards, non ambiguous and, most importantly, updated regularly, says Sue Nolan of Drug Free Sites. “Managers and supervisors should be trained to understand the procedures, their roles and responsibilities and ensure that when applying the procedures they stay strictly within the boundaries,” says Nolan.

“Unfortunately there is too much evidence in New Zealand of unsound and outdated policies and non-compliance when managing the testing process. This poses a serious risk of legal challenges.”

Nolan says 2013 policies should include currently available and emerging designer drugs in their definition of “drug”.

For most of these substances, companies will need to selectively request additional laboratory tests and not rely solely on the standard drug screening on-site or laboratory methods.

“New Zealand is a world leader in the use of the new designer drugs which include synthetic THCs (Kronic, K2, spice, fake weed, Puff etc) and bath salts or plant food.

“These designer drugs have replaced the traditional ecstasy and many are derivatives

of the stimulant/ hallucinogenic drug, cathinone, a natural component of the Qat plant. Cathinone derivatives, manufactured in designer drug laboratories, are much more potent than cathinone.

“Many of these (eg mephedrone, methylone, MEC) are readily available in New Zealand and used by employees to beat the standard drug screen.”

“While there are instant screening kits available for detecting a few of synthetic THCs, there are greater than 30 derivatives available and many will be missed. There are no instant tests for bath salts.”

Nolan says while accredited laboratories can test for some of these substances, their method will always be “catch-up” mode.

Nolan says that another common practice for beating the test is “interference with the integrity of urine samples”.

“A critical procedural component for testing current employees must be that the person is closely accompanied at all times, from the time of being notified of the requirement to undertake a test, until delivery to the NZQA qualified collector.

“For a random testing event, persons should have been notified of their selection and be already under supervision before they even have knowledge of the collector being at the site.”

Keeping workplace policies up to date

Tips for businesses Assess the risk to your particular business.

This could include examining workplace accident rates, absenteeism and productivity/performance issues.

If the business is determined to be high risk a separate policy may be necessary. If low risk consider including a workplace drug and alcohol use policy in your general health and safety or human resources policy.

Identify the reason for the policy and what you hope to achieve.

Ensure the policy fits in with your particular work environment.

For example this may include a clause on drug testing in the employment agreements if you have staff performing high risk tasks.

Ensure the policy meets all New Zealand legal requirements in particular the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Act 2002, the Privacy Act 1993, the New Zealand Bill of Rights 1990, the

Human Rights Act 1993 and the Employment Relations Act 2000.

It should also meet the requirements of the Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard: Procedures for Specimen Collection and the Detection and Quantitation of Drugs of Abuse in Urine (AS/NZS 4308:2008) and Australian Standard: Breath Alcohol Testing Devices for Personal Use (AS 3547-1997).

In the policy define what isn’t acceptable with regards to drug and alcohol use but also the process for detection and the consequences of a positive result.

This should not just include remedial action but also rehabilitation if necessary.

Once the policy is written go through a consultation process with employees to ensure they have a good understanding of the policy. Implement the policy consistently and ensure any new staff inducted into the company is made aware of the policy.

The MBIE has a sample drug and alcohol policy on its website: www.dol.govt.nz

Workplace drug policies offer protection

Creating Healthier Safer Workplaces

CONSULTANCY

EDUCATION

TRAINING

PRODUCTS

P 0800 238 800E [email protected]

Contact: Tania Jarvis

Canterbury based servicing nationwide

Page 19: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 19

0508 DRUGTEST www.nzdda.co.nz

For a free and confidential appraisal of your drug and alcohol policy, testing and education requirements visit our website or call us on our

freephone number below.

ON-SITE WORKPLACE

DRUG & ALCOHOL SCREENINGby our friendly team of professionals

• Nationwide testing service that is fully compliant with AS/NZS 4308:2008

• Experts in drug and alcohol policy design and implementation

• Drug screening programmes

• Drug education seminars for employees, managers, schools and organisations

• Pre-employment, post accident, reasonable cause and random testing

• Drug Detector Dog Service

• Methamphetamine detection service for property buyers and landlords

North IslandJanet WilliamsPH: 027 473 1486Email: [email protected]

South IslandWayne PitcaithlyPH: 027 431 6225Email: [email protected]

NZ’s leading providerof drug dog services

Fast, e�cient, coste�ective screeningof worksites fordrug hazards

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Dog teams certi�edto internationalstandards

www.nzdetectordogs.co.nzFREEPHONE: 0508 DRUGDOG (3784 364)

They’re cute, cuddly and in a short period of time can detect drug users in your workplace who may be a hazard to your business. NZ Detector Dogs helps assist companies and organisations to have drug free workplaces and worksites.

Workplace drug use is potentially a big issue for New Zealand business with 10% of the population estimated to be involved in some sort of drug use.

NZ Detector Dogs managing director Janet Williams says that recently her dogs screened 150 people at a workplace, identified five and of these four tested positive for drug use.

She says that drug detector dogs provide a number of key benefits to businesses compared with other methods of drug testing: “The dogs are less invasive than other drug testing methods, they are quick and can accurately scan the whole workplace including vehicles, people and buildings making it a more comprehensive method of detecting potential problems. “The dogs can identify where drugs have been recently smoked or used, if staff have been in close contact with drugs or carried them so businesses can screen for a lot of different risk factors at once. “Dogs are a very cost-effective way to quickly identify risk areas in a worksite,” she says. Williams is a nationally and internationally recognised trainer of biosecurity and specialist scent detector dogs.

She also served 13 years in the New

Zealand Police. NZ Detector Dogs other director and South Island general manager Wayne Pitcaithly is a former police dog handler meaning the two offer a great deal of combined professional experience which is sought by businesses internationally. The dogs are all personally trained by Williams and Pitcaithly and are independently assessed each year and certified to an international standard. Currently all dogs are rated at a 100% proficiency rating – the highest achievable. This is also important if a business ended up in an employment court to ensure that the drug indication would be admissible as evidence. Williams says that detector dogs can also be used as a risk management tool allowing businesses to assess whether there is a problem and if so what the best way to manage it is. NZ Detector Dogs offers its services New Zealand wide covering both small to large worksites. Williams says the dogs also act as a good deterrent sending a clear visual message throughout the workplace that drug use will not be tolerated. “The best way to handle a drug issue is to deter it from happening in the first place. We know this from statistics at airports that dogs are one of the best deterrents. Most companies who have tried NZ Detector Dogs continue to use us because the dogs are so effective.

NZ Detector Dogs, tel. 0508 DRUGDOG (3784 364), www.nzdetectordogs.co.nz

Sniffing out drug users

According to annual statistics released by the New Zealand Drug Detection Agency (NZDDA) the number of on-site workplace drug tests increased 31% over the previous year’s reports.

In 2012 NZDDA conducted 68,561 on-site drug screening tests, up from 52,124 tests carried out in 2011.

“A rise in the number of on-site workplace drug and alcohol tests in 2012 illustrates that many more employers are taking workplace safety very seriously,” says New Zealand Drug Detection Agency (NZDDA) chief executive Chris Hilson.

NZDDA’s 2012 statistics analyse the test reasons (pre-employment, post-incident, re-test, random, reasonable cause or voluntary) on a national basis as well as regionally and by North/South Island, by sector and by drug type detected.

According to the NZDDA findings cannabis (THC) continues to be the most frequently detected drug in workplace drug screening, with 71% of the non-negative tests detecting this drug, up from 68.5% in 2011. Opiates (including codeine) were detected in 18% of non-negative tests, compared with 15.9% the previous year. Methamphetamine was found in 6% of non-negative tests in 2012 down from 9.1% in 2011.

In 2012 NZDDA conducted 39,369 breath alcohol tests – up 32% from 2011 when

29,791 tests were carried out. Of the alcohol tests performed last year just 0.4% of the tests were positive, the same as for 2011.

Established in 2005, NZDDA is a New Zealand-owned and operated company with 19 branch offices throughout the country. NZDDA is New Zealand’s only fully compliant AS/NZS4308:2008 International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ)-accredited on-site drug and alcohol testing provider.

All NZDDA’s workplace drug tests are retested at the Canterbury Health Laboratory (CHL) for the legally required independent verification. Most of the company’s testing takes place in the safety-sensitive sectors such as forestry, transport and construction. NZDDA also offers advanced drug and alcohol manager and training programmes, as well as assisting clients in designing and implementing workplace drug and alcohol policies. The company has trained more than 5000 managers and a similar number of employees nationwide.

“Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace for all, and in particular in safety sensitive sectors,” says Hilson.

“We’re heartened to see that more employers are training their managers and supervisors and also their employees in workplace policy planning and implementation.”For more information on workplace drug testing visit www.nzdda.co.nz

Big increase recorded in on-site testing

Health & Safety

Page 20: Building Innovations

20 Building Innovations NZ

“Proud to be keeping kiwiworkplaces safe”

Accredited AS/NZS4308 (Including Synthetic Cannabinoids)

www.workplacedrugtest.co.nz

Plenty of options for those seeking helpHave you failed a work drug test? You may be in this situation and have wondered what to do about it.

Your ability to earn the dollars you need to feed your family, to live your life the way you are used to, is at risk. Or you may have failed a pre-employment drug test and stand no chance of getting the job you wanted. Where to now?

Usually your employer will give you a second chance and provide you with time to return a negative test, but what about the future? Do you just want to pass a drug test, or do you want to make changes to your life? Prospective employers may not be so forgiving.

You have options, whether your problem is alcohol or other drugs. There are lots of services available to help you make change if that is what you want to do.

How do you find out what help is out there for you? What sort of help is it? What are the options? First, you may like to call the Alcohol Drug Helpline, a national telephone service; private, confidential and anonymous and free to call from any phone, 0800 787 797.

The counsellor who answers your call will have all the information you need in order for you to make change to your alcohol or other drug use.

For some of you it may be that you want to stop your use altogether, and there are tools, services and resources to tell you about.

You will be offered self-help resources, given telephone numbers for face to face services in your area, and you may be offered

telephone support to make the changes. All of these options are free.

You may wish to cut down, which is another option, although less acceptable if you want to pass a drug test. The person you talk with will assist you to make this decision and provide advice on time frames for clearance of some drugs from your system.

If alcohol is the drug causing your problems, there are government- funded services which provide detox, assessment, counselling and groups. A phone call to a service in your area to make an appointment for an assessment can be the beginning of change for you.

Depending on the severity of your problem with alcohol, specialist AOD workers will help you make choices for change.

Another option is for you to take advantage of an excellent national service known as Call-Back, a service of the Alcohol Drug Helpline. This service allows you to make changes privately. You sign up to being called regularly over a defined period of time.

You will make a personal action plan with the telephone counsellor and receive regular calls at a time to suit you. You will be encouraged and praised for the changes you are making, provided with strategies to manage the change, sent self-help resources and supported fully in your journey.

Another option is to attend self-help groups (AA, NA, MA) in the community. You can find one near you by looking in the personal help pages of the phone book.

Health & Safety

Page 21: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 21

Health & Safety

INTAKS NZ LIMITED07 577 6469 | WWW.INTAKS.CO.NZ

The revolutionary one system solutionproviding roof edge & working platform.

AGENT AREAS STILL AVAILABLE

Intaks - thinking outsidethe square

As part of our service to clients we offer a free, no-obligation quotation, tailored to suit your requirements, and carried out by our most senior staff members.

Advantages of using Safety Nets NZ

• Reduces potential falls and minimizes effects

• Provides collective passive safety

• Nets are fitted as close as possible to working level

• Allows a broad range of activity to continue working with minimum restriction

• Permits greater mobility for persons working above nets

• Reduced crane times and costs

• Speedier installation of roof structure leads to early water-tightness and building close in

• Nets comply with European standard EN 1263-1

• Cost savings compared with other alternative methods

• Wide variety of applications

Contact Craig Daly - General ManagerPO Box 305 206, Triton Plaza, Mairangi BayTel 09 478 9047 Fax 09 479 9524 Mob 021 782 583Email [email protected]

www.safetynetsnz.co.nz

AVAILABLE NOW!SAFETY NETTINGSOLUTION FOR HOUSE

CONSTRUCTION

A big increase in the use of safety nets in the residential building market is expected following recent guidelines released by the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) concerning safety working at heights, says Safety Nets NZ general manager Craig Daly.

Safety Nets NZ has just brought a trainer into the country in order to increase its number of certified riggers to meet client demand.

“Work is growing rapidly and we needed additional resources to ensure we can continue to satisfy our clients’ requirements at the standard that they have come to expect from us,” says Daly.

Safety Nets NZ has been at the forefront of driving compliance to ensure their safety nets address the fundamental concerns of the Ministry around working at heights.

Daly says there are three fundamental criteria for the installation of safety nets on sites. Firstly the person installing the nets must be trained, certified and fully competent. Secondly the installation procedures used must be fully compliant with legislation and finally the nets themselves must be manufactured to specific requirements and be individually registered to enable usage to be tracked.

To ensure that these criteria are met Safety Nets NZ, a corporate member of the New Zealand Safety Council, uses overseas

trainers to train staff to European and British standards.

“Safety Nets NZ is recognised as operating to a very high professional standard. Our systems and procedures are accepted as being best practise by the New Zealand Safety Council,” says Daly.

The Leon de Oro brand of nets used by Safety Nets NZ are manufactured in accordance with the rigorous criteria outlined in European standard EN 1263-1.

Each net has a unique registration number to ensure it is fully compliant and suitable for purpose. The nets are tested annually.

Daly says there are many advantages to using nets from Safety Nets NZ.

The installation of safety netting offers unhindered and increased movement for workers above the net while offering total protection within the affected area with freedom below for other trades to continue working.

The nets provide a collective passive safety solution for potential falls meaning the net system, unlike a personal harness for example, is not reliant on workers themselves having to take steps to establish fall protection measures.

Safety Nets NZ operates throughout the North Island and is currently establishing a branch in the Christchurch area.

Growth anticipated in residential sector

INTAKS is helping to increase building efficiency as this revolutionary new access system makes it easier and safer for workers to complete the job.

Utilising new technology INTAKS is a patented system developed in New Zealand to provide guardrails for roof edge protection and working platforms for all trades to work safely on residential and commercial sites.

The system has been designed to be simple to set-up and easy to adjust meaning INTAKS can be adapted to suit any job or terrain. The system is incredibly versatile and can be assembled into over 15 different configurations.

A key feature of INTAKS is that with no ground footprint and very wide spans, a building site is more accessible when using INTAKS. This means that lower walls and ground space is clear for multiple trades to work simultaneously. The site progresses more quickly and tighter build schedules can be achieved.

Made from aluminium, INTAKS is 80% lighter than steel scaffolding. The lightweight system means that INTAKS takes far less time, truck tonnage and manpower to put up and pack down. INTAKS can be hung from the existing structure of the building, from over the top plate, off the rafter or gable even from parapet and tilt slab to provide a three plank wide work platform. Alternately it can be built up from the ground anchored off a supporting wall

or jacked up under a balcony or eave. The INTAKS system can also be a permanent feature in a new house or building. A series of concealed brackets can be fitted via a twistlock connector to the structural building members at the eaves.

This means the INTAKS system can quickly and easily be set up in future attaching to these existing brackets hidden in the building structure for easy, lower-cost maintenance in future. Regulations from the Department of Labour now require roof edge protection on all builds and platform systems to replace the traditional trestles, saw stools and ladders.

The innovative design of INTAKS means that it offers many safety benefits on site. The interlocking system makes the planks strong and steady offering workers unparalleled support to work safely. The system’s planks also butt join end to end eliminating overlapping of planks and reducing opportunities for trip hazards.

The INTAKS system is certified as complying with AS/NZS 1664.1, Department of Labour Best Practise Guidelines for Scaffolding in New Zealand, AS/NZS 4994.1.2009 Temporary Roof Edge Protection and AS 6001 Working Platforms for Housing Construction.

INTAKS NZ is currently setting up agents around New Zealand and areas are still available. For more information on agent areas call 07 577 6469 or email [email protected] or check out the website.

Simple system aims to increase safety

Page 22: Building Innovations

22 Building Innovations NZ

Sustainability / Energy Efficiency

www.realfires.co.nz | tel. 09 444 7331

www.ecosp r i ng . co . n z

EcoSpring hybrid hot water heating systems reduce water heating operating costs up to 70%. That adds up to significant savings, and you won’t have to give up a single drop of water.

0800 200 510 | [email protected]

EcoSpring reduces water heating costsEcoSpring next generation hot water heating systems reduce water heating operating costs by up to 70%.

This means significant savings considering that water heating represents the most power consumption in an average home.

EcoSpring hot water heating systems are unique as they are quieter than existing models on the market. EcoSpring also offers a number of different heating modes giving users a great deal of flexibility.

The economy mode is the most efficient mode of water heating by using heat pump module only to maximise savings.

The hybrid mode allows for heating recovery of water on the ES190 by utilising a small element as well as the heat pump during time of high demand. When the system determines that demand has been met it automatically switches back to using the heat pump only in economy mode.

E-heater mode gives the user guaranteed hot water. The electric element allows for continued hot water below -7ºC or when heat pump functionality is impaired.

The EcoSpring cylinder construction comes in either enamelled steel or duplex stainless steel with tank capacity of 190 litres or 300 litres.

EcoSpring is sourced by Parex, a leading New Zealand distributor of smart, innovative and practical appliances to trade and retail customers.

The company pursue sustainable business practices and products wherever possible that have a positive impact on the environment.

EcoSpring sales have been growing exponentially as consumers increasingly demand cost effective solutions to power saving when it comes to their hot water bill.

The cost of this technology has reduced significantly in recent years. As hot water heating can make up 40% of the average home owners power bill increasingly home owners are seeking energy efficient solutions for their home.

Installation of EcoSpring is as simple as fitting a traditional water cylinder.

The system can be either ducted in-door or installed out-doors with a rain cover accessory making it ideal for both the new home/building and retrofit markets.

EcoSpring hot water heating systems are available exclusively from Plumbing World stores nationwide.

For more information visit www.ecospring.co.nz

Energy efficiency is one of the hot topics of the Christchurch rebuild, says architectural designer Bob Burnett of Eversun homes.

“People are realising they can get something better than the average, standard Kiwi home without it costing a lot more.

“An energy efficient home also delivers long term cost savings so it makes a lot of sense.”

In the past people have tried to get the biggest house possible for a smaller cost per square metre however they are now asking themselves what they actually need, he says.

“The priority is starting to shift towards smaller, better quality homes with more health, warmth and energy efficient features.”

He says many insurance companies are happy for Canterbury clients to invest their insurance payout in a higher performing home with a smaller footprint than the original property, but others aren’t so flexible.

“Anyone rebuilding their home should insist on this option, rather than being forced into building a replica of their old house by their insurance company.”

People should still be aware of the pitfalls when going down the energy-efficiency route, he says.

“The right advice is critical, as there is a fine line between getting energy efficient designs right – and not. There is a lot more to it than just increasing the level of insulation or having a lot of glass in a home. In fact having too much glass can mean the home gets too hot in summer and cold in winter.”

He says the whole house should be looked at as a system, because if energy-efficient features are not fully integrated or complementary they simply won’t work.

“The key is to take an integrated design approach from the earliest concept stage when around 80 to 90 percent of the important decisions need to be made. People are often surprised that clever design, as opposed to incorporating a whole lot of expensive technology, is the first essential element of an energy efficient home.”

Things as simple as the way the windows, roof and walls are placed and construction details and the composition of materials that maximize the use of the sun’s energy and warmth and eliminate thermal leakage can make a huge difference, he says.

Further technologies such as solar panels; heat recovery ventilation systems; or systems that give homeowners the ability to save water can be added to enhance the design, based on the client’s budget and aspirations.

Burnett has been designing homes with energy-efficient eco features for 12 years and works to the NZ Green Building Council’s Homestar scale which measures a property’s environmental performance out of 10 stars.

His company has built two 8-star homes in Christchurch and hopes to achieve a 9-star rating with a further two.

“The Homestar rating gives people some indication of how a home will stack up on paper. A 7 to 10 star rated home will obviously cost a little more to build but offers greater immediate savings in running costs. It all comes down to how much a client wants to spend up front to save later and have more free cash to pay off the mortgage.”

Burnett’s firm takes their designs to the next level with 3D computer thermal modelling to analyse the home’s solar gain and heat losses for different months of the year.

He says this process backs the designs with data that allows them to estimate the new home’s future power bill.

An integrated design approach is the key to having an energy-efficient home.

Efficiency to the fore in Christchurch homesJo Bailey

Page 23: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 23

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Systems to harness the sun’s energyWith the latest equipment from Power Technology the rays of the sun can be converted into electrical energy. Solar electric technology uses solar energy from the sun to provide enough power to supplement a power system or even to replace it entirely taking a home or building off the grid.

Surplus power generated by the solar electric system can also even be sold back to some power utility companies as energy demands in New Zealand increase.

Whether the solar electric system contributes to the power needs of the home or building or supplies them completely depends on the number of solar panels installed and the size of the equipment selected.

Considering that the rated life of a solar panel can be up to 35 years and payback of a system can occur within 4-5 years the savings can be significant as after this power is basically being generated for free utilising the sun’s energy.

Managing director of Power Technology Ray Littin says the fact that solar technology has significantly come down in price over recent years has now put the technology in reach of the average consumer.

Power Technology has been in the remote area power business for nearly 30 years. The company has established itself as a leader in electronic components, power devices, UPS, batteries and renewable solar power energy.

Power Technology distributes a number of brands of OEM panels and modules including Scott Solar Power Products, Wagner & Co Solartechnik solar, Auria solar modules, ChinaSol and CSUN.

The company also complements this range with inverters by Kaco, Selectronic SP Pro and EnaSolar for on grid and off grid installations. Also supplied are solar system controllers and battery backup support.

Power Technology has designed, supplied and installed one of the largest off grid solar array system in New Zealand. Located on Motutapu Island the system was designed to supplement a diesel power system for the Department of Conservation, Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp and the local community supplying power to the entire island. Managed via the internet the system supplies 60kW of power and includes the use of New Zealand-made EnaSolar inverters.

Power Technology has also completed solar array installations in a number of schools throughout New Zealand as part of a programme sponsored by Genesis Energy.

Power Technology also runs seminars providing information to customers on how solar electric technology can be utilised and can supply products throughout New Zealand and the Pacific.

For more information visit www.powertech.co.nz

Sustainability / Energy Efficiency

In the current market where rates and margins are

being squeezed it is even more important that we are

aware of what we are getting into....”

There are plenty of things builders need to look out for when tendering for a recladding project.

In the current market where rates and margins are being squeezed it is even more important that we are aware of what we are getting into and that we minimise the unknowns so we can preserve our margin.

Let’s face it, the market is largely price driven so in order to try to level the playing field with other builders less experienced in tendering, its important to be clear about what has and what hasn’t been allowed for and why.

This alerts the designer and client to things they may not have considered and that other tenders may not have included.

This helps minimise variations and unknown costs blowing the budget and reduces the chances of a dispute.

Clearly outlining timelines allowed for each section of the build process assists not only with internal pricing clarity, but also with extension of time claims considering the common down time that can occur on such projects as various parties document

the building failures or are waiting on remediation design clarifications.

Site access and storage can be more challenging on remediation projects due to the nature of the works and the fact that the site is mature with neighbours, fences, landscaping and possibly a swimming pool.

These along with the scaffolding setup, have a critical impact on site productivity and therefore a builder’s bottom-line and are rarely covered in a set of contract documents.

Careful consideration of the distance at which scaffolding is set up from the building for easy removal and reinstatement of the cladding and windows as well as access points, can make a significant difference to on-site efficiency.

Plan carefully when the most effective time is to erect the scaffolding if concrete nibs are to be installed or decks re-laid and waterproofed?

Has time been allowed for to frequently empty water from and re-tie the tarpaulins and side mesh to the scaffolding after inclement weather over the project’s many weeks? Will there be scaffolding changes required during the project?

The use of contractors for parts of the project such as cladding removal not only

Harry Dillon fixes a difficult to quantify cost (especially tip site unfriendly EFIS), it also means a messy and unpopular job is not being done by the site staff.

Contract documents may or may not mention the reuse of some items such as spouting, insulation or downpipes.

But how practical is this with the new cavity cladding thickness and damage free storage? Are roof extensions required or thought of? Will the stormwater downpipe risers have to be moved?

The new cladding thickness and weather tightness details will probably result in the windows having to be re-installed, re-jammed, with some TAs requiring the sealing and re-mitering of reused joinery.

Can in these cases a 15-year durability warranty be provided or is a better long term solution to replace the windows with new ones?

Other issues that need to be considered are:

- Will additional framing need to be installed for a new cladding system?

- The need to straighten an existing structure to meet any new cladding warranty requirements is difficult to determine pre-start.

- Non-compliant work discovered during remediation is commonplace. How has this been allowed for?

- Preliminary and general costs are often significantly higher than on standard projects.

- The additional paperwork, supervision, liaising with the various experts ) and the collection of detailed information on the cost breakdown of each of the building points of failure can take significant time and therefore money.

Due to the nature of the works, making good can be a major potential cost and cause of dispute.

This can be reduced with a thoroughly documented pre-start survey. Whether the client is staying during the works can have a considerable impact on the project in many ways, which we will investigate in future articles.

In this instance cleaning the affected areas every day because a client is living there can accrue a significant cost. What is the client’s expectation regarding a third party warranty and can it be provided?

If a builder allows for all of this will they get the job as others tenderers may not have? If they don’t and these costs are going to be incurred do they really want it?

Some suggested follow up areas for more information:

Building & Housing website: http://www.dbh.govt.nz/ws-info-for-building-professionals

The B & H publicationsGuide to Remediation DesignGuide to the Diagnosis of Leaky BuildingsDealing with Timber in Leaky Buildings

This article is based on a number of workshops on weathertight remediation for builders which the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – Building and Housing group has been running at centres all over New Zealand.

Harry Dillon has been involved with the repair of more than 300 homes as a builder over the last ten years.

This article represents his views which may not necessarily be the same as the Ministry’s.

Recladding: watch out for tendering pitfalls

Page 24: Building Innovations
Page 25: Building Innovations

Builders have hit the ground running in 2013, with a 70% increase in the weekly number of apprentice requests from last quarter. This has mainly been in the Auckland and Canterbury areas, although other areas are busier too.

BCITO Chief Executive Ruma Karaitiana says the organisation has been inundated with requests from employers to source apprentices.

“This suggests a real spike in building activity in the New Year, and it’s refreshing to see the industry heading in a positive direction,” he says.

“Employers around Auckland are calling to say they are snowed under with work, and in desperate need of skilled apprentices.

“Some of these builders are looking for multiple apprentices, and some have said they’re prepared to take on new trainees, as long as they have good work ethic, their driver’s license and their own transport.”

Get Your Government Grant!

On Friday the 25th of January, the Government announced a “reboot” scheme to be put in place from 1 April

this year. This will give 10,000 new apprentices and their employers up to $2000 each to cover the cost of tools and training-related expenses.

Unfortunately we don’t have all the details yet; the Government has not fleshed out how exactly this initiative will be run. We do know however that apprentices will need to be in training for at least 3 months before the funding can be claimed.

The grants are only available for the first 10,000 apprentices across all industries (not just BCITO ones). This means that the BCITO cannot guarantee grants will be available for all new apprentices.

We encourage those considering new apprentices to get them into training now. We will then do our best to get you and your apprentice in the running for a grant come 1 April. Simply contact your BCITO rep or call us on 0800 422 486 to get the ball rolling.

Helping You Find an Apprentice

For those who are not aware, the BCITO has a “job matching” service where we can put employers and career-seekers in contact. Employers looking for apprentices can simply call us on 0800 422 486 and let us know what you’re looking for. We’ll search our database and see what we can do; we’re actively advertising to career seekers to register their interest and list themselves on our database.

You could always just call your Training Advisor too, as they may have someone ready to go. A word of warning however, just about all apprentices with experience have already been snapped up. Most employers will need to take on someone pretty green, or at best, with a pre-trade course. In this situation, the candidate’s attitude becomes very important.

Feel free to give us a buzz to talk about this in more detail. We’re here to help!

Training kicks into gear as industry recovers

Page 26: Building Innovations

26 Building Innovations NZ

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For almost 90 years, the iconic blue bridge linking Auckland’s Tamaki Drive to the Parnell Baths has been a regular feature for thousands of Aucklanders on their morning commute.

So it was only after careful consideration when, in early 2011, the Waitemata Local Board made the decision to replace this notable landmark, with NZ Crane to help complete the complex job.

The project required NZ Crane to meet a particularly tight 48-hour timeframe made possible by the full closure of two Auckland’s busiest commuter links – Tamaki Drive and the Eastern Rail Line. Due to the scale of the closure, both the lift and all remedial work needed to be completed within this strict window.

To ensure the job was completed on budget and, crucially, on time NZ Crane Group’s solution involved a significant amount of preparatory work to take place not only during the closure but in the weeks leading up to the job.

To deliver the beams out from under the low workshop ceiling to the job site, a specialist rigging, lifting beam and sling were created to manoeuvre each 60 to 80 tonne beam without damaging the workshop or the structures themselves.

NZ Crane Group also managed a large amount of preparatory work on site, where limited access points and unstable ground meant that piles needed to be installed and given time to set before cranes could begin work.

Time was also required to ensure that the cranes were on a stable footing to lift the

NZ Crane reinstates iconic Auckland landmark

beams into position first time. After weeks of planning, NZ Crane Group managed to complete the massive lift over January 2-3.

The job involved the use of two cranes

– the Grove GMK 6300 and the Grove GMK 7450 – which were positioned on the newly reinforced ground alongside the rail line and estuary.

The successful lift was a result of meticulous planning, with NZ Crane Group delivering a result for its client both on time and on budget.

NZ Crane lifting the new Tamaki Drive bridge into place.

Page 27: Building Innovations

Building Innovations NZ 27

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Company IndexBCITOWellington04 381-6581

Blum NZChristchurch 03 379 4984

David Reid Homes SouthlandGore03 208 8100

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FutureHome Christchurch021 140 1738

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NZ Drug Detection AgencyAuckland027 437 8433

Parex IndustriesAuckland09 836 6556

Quakesafe Building SolutionsChristchurch021 267 9538

Safety Nets NZAuckland09 478 9047

Shelter SolutionsWellington 0800 486 786

SteelmastersAuckland09 579 8196

Sue Nolan & AssociatesAuckland09 356 7377

Page 28: Building Innovations

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