Performance Requirements

Building elements must, with only normal maintenance, continue to satisfy the performance requirements of the NZBC for the lesser of the specified intended life of the building, if stated, or:

1. The life of the building, being not less than 50 years, if:
   • those building elements (including floors, walls, and fixings) provide structural stability to the building; or
   • those building elements are difficult to access or replace; or
   • failure of those building elements to comply with the building code would go undetected during both normal use and maintenance of the building.
2. 15 years if:
   • those building elements (including the building envelope, exposed plumbing in the subfloor space, and in-built chimneys and flues) are moderately difficult to access or replace; or
   • failure of those building elements to comply with the building code would go undetected during normal use of the building, but would be easily detected during normal maintenance.
3. 5 years if:
   • the building elements (including services, linings, renewable protective coatings, and fixtures) are easy to access and replace; and
   • failure of those building elements to comply with the building code would be easily detected during normal use of the building.

Individual building elements which are components of a building system and are difficult to access or replace must either:

• all have the same durability; or
• be installed in a manner that permits the replacement of building elements of lesser durability without removing building elements that have greater durability and are not specifically designed for removal and replacement.