The Manual was created in the late 1970s as a guide to the design and construction of concrete masonry; a staple material of the New Zealand construction industry that encompasses reinforced concrete block and concrete block veneer, along with concrete block paving and flagstone paving for pedestrian walkways.
Periodically reviewed over the decades as New Zealand Standards change, the Manual’s last major review was in 1999, although the Design Section was up-graded in 1999 and 2004 to match the issues of NZS 4229 Concrete Masonry Buildings Not Requiring Specific Engineering Design and NZS 4230 Design of Reinforced Concrete Masonry Structures.
The NZCMA recently decided to completely update the technical contents of the Manual, and to make it available on the NZCMA website where it can be freely downloaded in sections as required.
The process is on-going, with Parts and Sections uploaded to the website as they become available. Work has seen Part 1 General fully completed, along with Part 3 Construction Details. Sections of Part 2 Properties of Concrete Masonry, Part 4 Reinforced Masonry, Part 5 Veneer Walls, Part 6 Specific Constructions, and Part 7 Pavers are complete or under various stages of review. The full project is expected to be complete by mid-2013.
NZCMA President Mario Fontinha said the association’s update of the Manual, a significant resource for designers and specifiers, was timely on many different levels.
“The revised Manual will reflect recent changes in industry standards and best practice. Its up-to-date technical information will prove invaluable to all those involved with the construction sector as the Christchurch rebuild gathers pace and the anticipated housing shortage in greater Auckland is addressed.” Mr Fontinha said.
The Manual’s revision also coincides with the former Department of Building and Housing’s two-year Build it Right campaign. From 1 March 2012 critical building work that is known as Restricted Building Work must be undertaken by an LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner).
“By ensuring that the Manual’s content is current the NZCMA is enabling skills maintenance for those who work with concrete masonry, and making it easier for those wishing to become licensed” says Mr Fontinha. “This commitment to enhancing knowledge and skills is also evident in the wider masonry industry’s collective work focussing on practical competency.”
The on-going work of the NZCMA, and that of its affiliated associations such as CCANZ, will continue to raise awareness of the benefits of all concrete masonry systems, which offer technically robust and seismically resilient solutions for New Zealand’s built environment.
Visit the NZCMA website to download the revised Concrete Masonry Manual.