Access the Code of Practice online

This registration will be required once-only per browser/device, which is achieved using a cookie stored on your device.

There is no password required, and your information will not be shared with any third parties.

Please register and accept the terms for the NZMRM online COP
By ticking this box you confirm that you have read and accept the Terms listed below


Disclaimer

Although the information contained in this Code has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc. makes no warranties or representations of any kind (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, currency or completeness of the information, or that it is suitable for the intended use.

Compliance with this Code does not guarantee immunity from breach of any statutory requirements, the New Zealand Building Code or relevant Standards. The final responsibility for the correct design and specification rests with the designer and for its satisfactory execution with the contractor.

While most data have been compiled from case histories, trade experience and testing, small changes in the environment can produce marked differences in performance. The decision to use a particular material, and in what manner, is made at your own risk. The use of a particular material and method may, therefore, need to be modified to its intended end use and environment.

New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc., its directors, officers or employees shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect or special loss or damage arising from, as a consequence of, use of or reliance upon any information contained in this Code.

New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc. expressly disclaims any liability which is based on or arises out of the information or any errors, omissions or misstatements.

If reprinted, reproduced or used in any form, the New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Inc. (NZMRM) should be acknowledged as the source of information.

You should always refer to the current online Code of Practicefor the most recent updates on information contained in this Code.

Scope

This Code of Practice provides requirements, information and guidelines, to the Building Consent Authorities, the Building Certifier, Specifier, Designer, Licensed Building Practitioner, Trade Trainee, Installer and the end user on the design, installation, performance, and transportation of all metal roof and wall cladding used in New Zealand.

The calculations and the details contained in this Code of Practice provide a means of complying with the performance provisions of the NZBC and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

The scope of this document includes all buildings covered by NZS 3604, AS/NZS 1170 and those designed and built under specific engineering design.

It has been written and compiled from proven performance and cites a standard of acceptable practice agreed between manufacturers and roofing contractors.

The drawings and requirements contained in this Code illustrate acceptable trade practice, but recommended or better trade practice is also quoted as being a preferred alternative.

Because the environment and wind categories vary throughout New Zealand, acceptable trade practice must be altered accordingly; in severe environments and high wind design load categories, the requirements of the NZBC will only be met by using specific detailing as described in this Code.

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to present both Acceptable Trade Practice and Recommended Trade Practice, in a user-friendly format to ensure that the roof and wall cladding, flashings, drainage accessories, and fastenings will:

  • comply with the requirements of B1, B2, E1 E2 and E3 of the NZBC;
  • comply with the design loading requirements of AS/NZS 1170 and NZS 3604 and with AS/NZS 1562;
  • have and optimised lifespan; and
  • be weathertight.

COP v24.03:Natural-Light; Natural-Light-Materials

11.2 Natural Light Materials 

The most common form of natural roof lighting used in commercial and industrial buildings comprises single skin, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) sheets matching the profile of the metal roofing, running from ridge to eaves in continuous lengths of up to 12 m, sometimes longer. For other applications such as housing, polycarbonate sheeting is more commonly used. Polycarbonate is available in stock sheet lengths of up to 7.2 metres.

Profiled PVC roof lights are now rare as they suffer from embrittlement when exposed to UV.

GRP combines polyester resin and chopped glass fibre. AS/NZS 4256.3 requires sheets to contain a minimum of 22% glass fibre by mass and to be marked with their classification and weight.

11.2A Comparison of GRP and Polycarbonate.

GRPPolycarbonate
Available in all profilesAvailable in limited profiles
Available in long runAvailable in standard lengths
Available in different thicknessesAvailable in one thickness
Durability >25 yearsDurability >25 years
Will lose transparency with ageWill maintain initial transparency
Gives diffuse lightGives direct light
Thermal expansion 2 x that of steelThermal expansion 5x that of steel
Available in tinted or opaqueAvailable tinted
Reasonable light transparencyExcellent light transparency

Polycarbonate is more popular for shorter runs and continuous widths, where clarity and stable appearance are considered an aesthetic attribute.

Stand-alone and flat-sheet roof lights may be manufactured from translucent or transparent polycarbonate, acrylic, or glass sheeting.

11.2.1 Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) 

Glass Reinforced Plastic ( GRP ) combines polyester resin and chopped glass fibre. AS/NZS 4256.3 requires sheets to contain a minimum of 22% glass fibre by mass and to be marked with their classification and weight.
GRP is suitable for in-service temperatures of -10° to 70°C and some GRP sheets are available in a fire resistant grade.
GRP should have a minimum thickness of 1.1 mm, but it is available up to 3 mm thick.

11.2.1A GRP Weight in g/m²

mm=g/m²
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.5
1.9
2.1
2.5
3.0
 1800
2000
2100
2400
3000
3300
4000
4880
The exterior surface of GRP is covered with either a polyester film or a layer of gel-coat cast as the sheet surface. Sheets can have a film or a coating on one or both sides or have a film on one side and a coating on the other. The performance of GRP is related to both light transmission and durability of the various films, and coatings can provide different performance for each category in different environments.
N.B. Performance in both of these areas is not necessarily directly related.
The roofing contractor must ensure that the correct weathering surface of plastic sheeting is placed uppermost as the durability and warranty depend on placing the sheet the correct side up.

11.2.2 Polycarbonate 

 

Polycarbonate is a tough, clear thermoplastic polymer with a higher deformation temperature than PVC.
Polycarbonate is manufactured with a co-extruded UV resistant top layer, which will resist weathering, but its durability depends on the thickness of the top layer.
Profiled polycarbonate sheeting has a limited spanning capacity and requires greater provision for expansion than GRP. It is available in thicknesses from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm but is only available in a limited range of profiles.
Flat multi-wall extruded sheets with one or more air gaps have a thinner wall thickness but derive their rigidity from the shape of the profile. They are limited in spanning capability, but come in wide sheets, fixed into proprietary extrusions, and are suitable as continuous barrel vaults and as double skin roof lights.
Surface coatings provide different levels of durability, chemical resistance and weather resistance.
Polycarbonate sheets must not be fitted above sprinklers as they can drop out in a fire and interfere with the sprinkler's function.
PVC

11.2.3 PVC 

PVC is a compound of polyvinyl chloride manufactured with stabilisers but without plasticisers that complies with AS/NZS 4256.2. Profiled PVC roof lights have a limited spanning capacity and need greater provision for expansion than other plastics or metals.

Profiled PVC sheeting ranges from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm in thickness but is only available in a limited range of profiles. PVC softens at 80°C and will act as a smoke vent when heated during a fire. It has a service temperature of 60°C and a tensile strength of 52 MPa at 20°C.

PVC may not satisfy the 15-year durability requirements of the NZBC; it is not regarded as suitable for commercial or industrial use and should not be used in habitable buildings.
PVC sheets must not be fitted above sprinklers, as they can drop out during a fire and interfere with the sprinkler's function.