BUILDING CONTROLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26783, 28 May 1948, Page 6

BUILDING CONTROLS

AMENDMENTS ISSUED FURTHER LIMITATIONS USE OF GALVANISED IRON P.A. WELLINGTON, May 27. In a statement received to-day from the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, information was given > concerning amendments to the building control requirements governing the use of certain building materials as contained in the new Building Control ‘Notice No 25 and the Galvanised Sheet Control Notice, 1948, published in the Gazette to-day. “ Unfortunately,” stated Mr Semple, “ the supply of galvanised iron and of galvanised iron and steel tube has deteriorated to such an extent, because of overseas manufacturers’ lack of ability to supply, that the use of these materials has to be- more restricted than hitherto to ensure that the very limited quantities that become available are conserved for only the most essential types of work and for which no satisfactory alternative material could be substituted.”

Building Control Notice No. 25 provides, therefore, that in the case of galvanised iron its use is restricted, without the precedent consent of the Building Controller, to: —

(a) The manufacture of supply tanks of 100 gallons capacity. (b) The repair of existing galvanised corrugated steel or galvanised corrugated iron roofs of dwellings but not including more than one repair of any one roof and not including in any case a total of more than onefourth of the area»of the existing roof. (c) The manufacture of doqr and window flashings, termite cappings in districts in which the Termites Act, 1940, applies, pumice concrete washing copper casings, washing copper flue casings, hot water cylinder casings, tops and bottoms for galvanised iron tanks of 100 gallon capacity or more, baths, lead-edged ridging, eaves, gutters and rain water downpipes.

, (d) The repair of existing galvanised steel or iron ridging, eaves, gutters or downpipes of dwellings only

Further information is given by Mr Semple in his statement concerning details of control governing the use ol galvanised steel and iron tubing and black wrought iron tube. The new notice restricts the use of these materials for the purpose of conveying air, liquid, steam or gas. An amendment has also been made in the matter of the value of maintenance or replacement work requiring a permit. Previously permission was required for work of tnis nature in- which the value of the material used exceeded £lO. This amount has now been increased to £SO, and includes both the cost of the materials and labour. In conclusion, the Minister states, “It is most inopportune that further restrictions upon the use of materials has to be imposed when there is such a large demand for so many kinds of essential constructional work. There appears, however, to be little prospect of any substantial improvement taking place in the supply of materials from overseas until world affairs generally change to permit the speedy exchange of essential goods. The Government is continuing to take all possible steps to increase the supply of materials from both overseas sources and from within the Dominion."