Building inspection guide : Christchurch City Council

This guide has been designed to highlight the main checks that will be carried out during a building inspection in Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch, Selwyn and Ashburton.

For more details of the specific inspections process in your area, select the relevant council logo below:

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This information will be updated regularly when requirements change.

Each building site is unique and will have its own individual requirements so it’s important you read the documents and pay particular attention to any conditions listed on your building consent construction documentation and advice notes.

It is your responsibility to determine if a resource consent is required and, if so, that it has been applied for and approved before any work begins.

All consent documentation must be kept on site at all times. To help identify your particular site, please ensure adequate signage is in place, especially in remote or rural locations.

Foundation or slab

Book pre-pour inspections prior to booking concrete
Confirm boundary peg locations and lot number
Check building is sited as per consent plan
Check FFL off datum
Strip vegetation from building platform
Excavate foundations – ensure foundations are plumb and level at base with all loose material removed
Check firm bearing achieved
Check consent documentation for special geotechnical or engineer requirements, including engineers inspections (site notes/PS4 may be required)
Ensure foundation width and depth measurements are as specified
Check reinforcing is installed as detailed including type, size, and spacing. Ensure reinforcing is correctly lapped, and supported with adequate cover.
Fit waste sleeves, ensuring adequate grade is achieved
Sub-floor ventilation locations
DPM laid – lapped and taped at joins
Slab thickenings in place as per consent, check truss plan
Free joint in place if required
Rebates in place
Under slab insulation in place (if required)
Waste pipes in position, correct number and location
HWC copper relief pipe in place

Piles:

Check location for standard, anchor and brace piles
Check adequate pile depth, width or diameter is achieved
If piles are driven, provide driving log and engineers certificate

Blockwork

Correct type of block
Correct number of courses
Horizontal and vertical reinforcing tied and centred in block
Clean outs in place, reinforcing tied
Bond beam reinforcing as detailed, i.e. stirrups
Control joints in place
Temporary bracing or propping required
Engineers inspection completed (if required)
Engineers site notes and PS4 may be required

Subfloor framing

Correct pile size, treatment and height
Bearer size, treatment and spacing
Adequate bearing on piles
Joist size, treatment, and spacing
Solid blocking in place
Dwangs in place for brace panel hold downs
Fixings – Stainless Steel (within 600mm of the ground or within sea spray zone) or galvanised
Insulation in place, adequate access and ventilation
DPM to ground if specified

Pre roof

All previous site instructions completed
“As-Built” truss design approved by Council Check business processes?
Control cuts to slab completed
Framing; correct grade, treatment and spacing
DPC to plates
Plate hold downs completed
Frame connections complete
Truss and rafter connections complete
Purlin size, spacing and fixings as detailed
Z nails to outriggers
Roof bracing completed – including gable end/roof strap/roof plane and dragon ties
Stud to top plate fixings completed
Lintel hold downs and fixings completed
Lintel sizes checked
Post/beam connections completed
Valley board in place – ends supported
Brace hold downs completed. Locations checked
Bracing ply completed with all fixings in place
Bottom chord restraints in place
Fire wall hold downs and solid blocking completed
Engineers inspection completed, if required
Engineers site notes and PS4 may be required

Pre-membrane

Support framing in place, correct treatment and spacing
Minimum fall achieved as shown in consent documents
Ply substrate complete, H3.2 sheets staggered, angle fillet in place
Stainless screw fixings in place at correct spacing
Scuppers, outlets and overflow relief in place
Drip edge in place

Pre cladding

Building wrap

All previous site instructions completed
Correct building wrap selected – i.e. direct fix, cavity, metal framing or cladding.
Wrap must be approved for specific applications
Wrap installation – wrap securely fastened with adequate lap
Wrap returned into openings, adequate bottom plate cover achieved, wrap above rebates
Slab edge protection completed – i.e. DPM/Mulseal
Sill tapes in place – must be installed as per manufacturers installation details
Thermal break in place (steel frame)
Penetrations sealed through wrap/pipes/wires etc.
Wrap supported with blue banding to prevent insulation sagging
Fire walls – correct linings installed to outer face

Cavity battens and flashings

Cavity battens in place – correct size, treatment and spacing set out as per cladding specifications
Where H3.1 cavity battens and galvanised flashing/s are in contact ensure separation is provided, such as strips of heavy duty roof underlay
Cavity closers in place
Saddle Flashings
Flashings

All appropriate flashings/back flashings in place
Head flashings in place – turn ups to ends, sealed to wrap
Sill trays in place for direct fix claddings
Back flashings in place at change of cladding junctions

WANZ support bars – full length, level, fixing complete at required spacing
AAC Cladding cavity system to be installed as per consent plans or amendment approved.

Half high masonry

Cavity – min 40mm achieved and no more than 75mm
Cavity clean and clear of mortar
Brickwork – max 20mm overhang at foundation (If overhang is greater than 20mm, a solution is required)
Brick ties in place, spacing and fixings
Weep holes in place, including columns at correct spacing
Slip joints in place
Minimum brick panel size achieved (230mm)
Flashings in place – DPC jamb and sill flashing with 15mm minimum kick out
Lintel bars, shelf angles in position with flashing tape or additional layer of wrap over
WANZ support bars in place – full length, level, fixings completed (galvanised or stainless steel)
All panels as close as possible to half high

Pre plaster exterior

All previous site instructions completed
All panels in place, fixings complete
Control joints in place as per manufacturers requirements
Proprietary flashing systems completed to openings and cladding junctions
Base of cladding flashings in place
Clearances to cladding at apron flashings etc.
Penetrations sealed
Reinforcing to cut panels primed
Rebate coated with bituminous emulsion if required (check installation specifications)

Pre line

All previous instructions completed
Exterior claddings completed including all roof flashings and penetrations (weathertight)
Temporary weatherproofing may be required to garage doors, chimney caps etc.

Insulation:

Wall and ceiling insulation complete, snug fit, clearances to roof underlay. Correct R value

Air Seals:

Complete to all openings including meter box and garage door jambs
Window identification labels and safety glass labels in place
Backing rod in place behind air seal to prevent over filling cavity
Packers sealed over
Silicone sealant in place to narrow gaps

Pipework:

Pipework completed, clipped and lagged outside insulation
Pressure tested. Pressure test statement required at final inspection
Correct pipework size/runs/distance to HWC
Solar pipework installed
Gas pipework installed
Wastes and vents in place

Framing:

Hold downs to bottom plates including all brace elements complete
Flush boxes are 90mm minimum from brace panel edges
Moisture content
Ceiling battens – spacing and fixings
Stiffeners in place to stud/pate penetrations over 35mm diameter
Solid blocking for ceiling diaphragms – penetrations to be in middle third each way
Metal angles in place to tiled showers fixed at 300mm centres
Solid blocking to fire walls
Fire wall penetrations suitably fire rated
Dwangs in place above shower trays

Pre stop

All previous site instructions completed
Correct linings in place
Bracing completed – appropriate linings and fixings in place as per brace system used
Wet area water-resistant linings in place as specified
Metal angle in place to internal corner of tiled shower (if applicable)
Fixings completed to tiled areas as required
Fire walls – appropriate linings and fixings completed as per system requirements
Diaphragm ceilings completed-fixings as specified by manufacturer and approved building consent plans
Penetrations located as specified by manufacturer
Manhole access openings have been located in the middle third as per manufacturers requirements in a ceiling diaphragm

Interior tanking

All previous instructions completed
Tanking product as specified in building consent
Required number of coats applied
Bandaging to internal/external corners
Slope achieved to recess and floor
Penetrations sealed
Accredited or approved applicator
Inspection carried out prior to any tiles being laid
PS3 to be provided by accredited applicator

Drainage

Drain layers details and registration number available
Storm water, sewer pipework laid in position and exposed with correct inspection point locations
Adequate grade achieved
Pipework supported, laid in chip or clean sand
Sumps and soak holes completed
Water test on to sewer
Primer used on glued joints
Septic tank system and located as per consent
As-laid plan accurately drawn

Heating unit

Note: If an inbuilt heating unit is to be installed - we require a completed pre-installation inspection.

Ensure fire being installed is as per consent
Installation to be carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions including:

Hearth type and size
Seismic restraints
Unit clearances to combustibles
Flue shielding
Flue type, flue connections, spacers
Ceiling penetrations as per flue system specifications
Number of flues and clearances to combustibles
Ceiling plate – ventilated?
Flue/roof penetration – additional support, soaker flashings
Flue height and support
Wetback installation – HWC open vented
Header/top up tank required to rural installations
Smoke alarms in place
Room/heating unit ventilation in place (if required)
Installers sheet received

Final

A final inspection is carried out when all other listed inspections have been completed and passed, and all detail on approved consent documentation has been completed.

Sometimes, other than the final inspection, there will be inspections (including effluent field, heating unit and solar hot water system) which need to also be completed. Please ensure that these inspections are also booked in so additional time has been allocated. This assists us in distributing all of the inspection bookings.

This is the last opportunity the Council has to inspect the completed building and it is therefore important that all aspects of the building are complete. In order for the Council to carry out this inspection, the building must be completed to a standard where it has a good chance of passing. It is not designed to provide a list of items for the contractor to complete.

Some of the following items are commonly identified as failed items at final inspection. These items should be checked by the contractor prior to inspection.

External

Finished ground level, clearance to cladding
Paved area levels/falls and storm water control completed
Finished height of gully traps
Storm water disposal complete – i.e. strip drains, sumps, down pipes
Soffit/window/doors sealed
Drain ventilation installed and flashed etc.
Mechanical vents complete
Cladding/soffits painted
Ventilation/weep holes in place to brick or stonework veneers
Drainage venting to sewer completed
Snow straps in place to spouting
Vermin proofing completed i.e. below garage door reveals and at cladding junctions
How water cylinder relief drains terminating in a safe location
190mm maximum step down from door openings

Internal

Hot water must be on to check temperature
HWC seismic restraints in place top/middle/bottom
Smoke alarms to be in place
Window manufacturers identification stickers in place
Check that showers are not leaking by directing water to the corners
Gas hob protection in place if required
Ventilation to all rooms where hot water tap in place (scullery)
Fixtures to be sealed to wall
All plumbing work/fit off to be completed

Roof space

Insulation to be tidy and cut neatly around all ducting
Downlights are CA or IC rated – insulation cut around or concealed
Downlight transformers above the insulation
Mechanical vents – ducting to be connected
Screw fixings missing purlins and at hips
Vertical insulation supported

Glossary

AAC Panel – Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panel
BLC – Building Location Certificate
CA Rated - Closed abutted (CA)
DPC – Damp Proof Course (Malthoid or Supercourse)
DPM – Damp Proof Membrane
FFL – Finished Floor Level
HWC – Hot Water Cylinder
LBP – Licensed Building Practioner
PS1 – Producer statement for design – These statements are usually issued by engineers stating that part or all of the building work as described on the nominated plans and specifications has been designed to comply with certain performance requirements of the Building Code.
PS2 – Producer statement for design review – These statements are usually issued by engineers confirming that the work covered by a producer statement for design (PS1) comply with certain performance requirements of the Building Code.
PS3 – Producer statement for construction – These statements are usually issued by contractors stating that part or all of the building work as described on the plans and specifications has been constructed in accordance with the building consent.
PS4 – Producer statement for construction review – These statements are usually issued by engineers who have been engaged to verify part or all of the building work has been constructed in accordance with the design PS1.
WANZ Bar – Window Association of New Zealand (Window Installation System)

Emergency: We are in a national State of Emergency. All Council facilities are closed.

Building inspection guide