Page 19 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 19

ANTA

Intricacy of Building By-Law Necessity for Expert Opinion No. 10 of a Series of Article* on Architecture and Building Prepared by Authority of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (Auckland Branch). Bylaws connected with buildings are many and varied. Whfctt it is realised that within a radius of 14 miles of the Auckland Poet Office there are at least 14 separate local bodies with 14 sets of by-laws, all different, one may realise how careful one must be in designing any building. In addition to the local by-laws the local bodies have powers under the Municipal Corporations Act and the Town Planning Act to enforce the regulations laid down under thes6 Acts, so that it becomes necessary for the prospective property-owner to seek the assistance of a registered architect who has the knowledge of these Acts in addition to the local body requirements. The procedure adopted by most architects is, after having the preliminary plans checked by the client, to seek the approval of the various inspectors concerned. After approval has been given the working plans are prepared and final permission Obtained for the erection of the building. This final permit is issued direct to the contractor, who pays for the permits and also for inspecti6ns by the local authorities' inspectors. The function of the local body inspector is, however, purely to see that the by-laws are complied with. He has no control over materials, except that they must meet the bare minimum laid down in the by-laws, nor has he any control over design, workmanship or finish of buildings. The question of by-laws in relation to residential building in the suburbs is simple, compared with commercial buildings in city areas. Immediately, in addition to the local by-laws, the Municipal Corporations Act and the Town Planning Act, Other Acts and inspectors have to be consulted and their approval sought. If a building is to house a factory the Labour Department must be consulted, with its separate inspectors for male and female employees to be called upon. The Underwriters' Association have th6ir own conditions laid down and these must be adhered to if minimum premiums are desired. Any building in which films are stored means that further regulations must be complied with, and visits from inspectors from Wellington becdme a necessity. Pftssibly a room may be I6t for entertainments, when, in addition to the regulations dealing with such a case, the Fire Superintendent must give his approval to the location of exits, stairs, etc. In the electrical work the Public Works Department and the Power Soard step in with whole volumes of regulations. In o&e partitular building designed by the writer 10 separate by-laws and regulations had to be consulted and the approval of 12 inspectors obtained before it was advisable to prepare the working plans. . :■ II * V, ANOTHER FINE SUBURBAN RESIDENCE . NOW IN THE COURSE OF COMPLETION AT ORAKEI ' ' All by-laws are framed for a purpose. The main purpose behind them is the protection of the lives and property of the general public. The building inspectors' work is to see that the building is structurally sound and will support the intended loads. Drainage and Labour Department inspectors deal with the health of the occupants. The Fire Superintendent and the Dangerous GoOds Inspector view the plans from the point of fire and panic possibilities, while the Government Machinery Inspector has in view possible defects in machinery which runs plant and elevators. During the construction of the building the Scaffolding Inspector makes sure that all scaffolding is strong enough to support the workmen and that proteotion is given to the public against any material being dropped on to the pavement.. Approval given by a local authority for the erection of a building is no guarantee that their inspector will not condemn any portion 6f the work during construction. A permit is always issued subject to the plans being in accordance with the by-laws. Possibly during the progress of the work it may be found that th 6 plans, although approved, do not comply with the by-laws, when the inspector is quite within his powers in stopping the work. * . . , 'these points are mentioned to give an indication of how the safety of the public must always be uppermost in the minds of the architect. By-laws and regulations are many and varied, yet they are only a small part of the knowledge which a registered architect must have at his finger-tips when designing a building. Such a multiplicity of by-laws and regulations and inspectors, while necessary for the protection of the general public, becomes a fruitful source of perplexity to the inexperienced layman about to build. He is meeting them for the first time and his lack of previous experience ip bound to lead to trouble. To avoid the pitfalls, worry, and expense in which he will become involved, requires the backing and advice of the architect. The benefit of the experience of an architect in. daily touch with these matters, and spending a lifetime in meeting their intricacies, is essential to meet them effectively. THE BRANCH COMMITTEE, AUCKLAND DISTRICT BRANCH, NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

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