Use of timber under NZ Building Code Fire Regulations

1. Timber has not been completely shut out of theinterior linings of buildings in NZ.2. The unrestricted use of wood as wall and ceilinglinings is allowed in residential uses (except inshared exitways)3. Small areas of wood are permitted as structureand finishes in most buildings.4. Wood with a Group 3 finish (bare wood, or a clearor varnished finish) can be used in many places inbuildings, but wood is excluded from many otherbuildings where a Group 2 finish is required, partlybecause there are no Group 2 coatings availableon the NZ market.5. There is an urgent need for economical treatmentsand coatings which can enable clear finishedtimber to meet the requirements of Group 2. Thiswill require expensive testing, possibly helpedby new product development in Australia and inEurope.6. Urgent changes should be made to the NewZealand Building Code to replace Clause 3.4with performance statements of the type usedelsewhere in the Code.