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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 v26.03:Revision-History; April-2026

19.1 April 2026 

On 21 April 2026 the Roof Drainage Calculators were updated outside of the standard update sequence.

This update was to address the issue of the HIRDS tool from NIWA changing to a pay-per-use tool:

  • There were no changes to recommendations or calculation methodologies.
  • Existing project calculations and figures are unchanged for the same parameter.
  • All calculators now enable selection of Location to utilise rainfall intensity figures from NZBC E1/AS1 Table A.
  • Intensities determined from HIRDS or other methods can be entered as 'Custom'

19.1A v26.4 - April 2026

CategoryClause Number (prior to update)Clause (As of current publication)Details
2 - Editing and rearrangement5.3.219.1A v26.4 - April 2026Inserted mention that payment is now required to use NIWA's HRIDS tool.
2 - Editing and rearrangement5.3.2.119.1A v26.4 - April 2026We have changed the recommendation for calculating rainfall intensity to using the new feature on our online calculators.
2 - Editing and rearrangement5.4.719.1A v26.4 - April 2026Enable selection of Region/location per NZBC E1 Table A.  Calculations are unchanged for a given Rainfall Intensity, and Rainfall Intensity can still be manually entered if determined from HIRDS or other methods.
2 - Editing and rearrangement5.5.719.1A v26.4 - April 2026Enable selection of Region/location per NZBC E1 Table A. Calculations are unchanged for a given Rainfall Intensity, and Rainfall Intensity can still be manually entered if determined from HIRDS or other methods.
2 - Editing and rearrangement5.7.319.1A v26.4 - April 2026Enable selection of Region/location per NZBC E1 Table A. Calculations are unchanged for a given Rainfall Intensity, and Rainfall Intensity can still be manually entered if determined from HIRDS or other methods.
2 - Editing and rearrangement5.8.119.1A v26.4 - April 2026Enable selection of Region/location per NZBC E1 Table A. Calculations are unchanged for a given Rainfall Intensity, and Rainfall Intensity can still be manually entered if determined from HIRDS or other methods.
2 - Editing and rearrangement7.1.419.1A v26.4 - April 2026Enable selection of Region/location per NZBC E1 Table A. Calculations are unchanged for a given Rainfall Intensity, and Rainfall Intensity can still be manually entered if determined from HIRDS or other methods.
2 - Editing and rearrangement9.4.419.1A v26.4 - April 2026Enable selection of Region/location per NZBC E1 Table A. Calculations are unchanged for a given Rainfall Intensity, and Rainfall Intensity can still be manually entered if determined from HIRDS or other methods.
4 - Clause Inserted 19.1A v26.4 - April 2026Urgent update to introduce rainfall intensity calculator.