DZ 3404 Steel Structures Standard Part 1 and 2

Overview

Have your say on the revision of New Zealand Standard - NZS 3404:1997 Steel Structures Standard Part 1 and 2 

What is NZS 3404 Part 1 and 2?

NZS 3404 Steel Structures Standard Part 1 is used by structural engineers to design steel structures. It sets out minimum requirements for the design, fabrication, erection and modification of steelwork in structures in accordance with the limit state design method or in accordance with the alternative design method. When read along with Verification Method B1/VM1, it provides a means of complying with the performance requirements of New Zealand Building Code clause B1 Structure. Part 2 is a commentary which provides background to the content of Part 1, and explains how certain requirements originated, how they change previous practice, and how certain clauses apply. 

Revision of NZS 3404 Part 1 and 2

The revision draft has been prepared by the PR 4222 Revision Committee, comprising industry, university, regulatory, and technical experts. This revision of this key steel structures design standard aims to:  

1. provide, (once cited) a verification method for compliance with the New Zealand Building Code; 

2. organise and where possible clarify and simplify the content for ease of use 

3. support and enable compliance by ensuring compatibility with the loadings standards AS/NZS 1170 and NZS 1170.5, and other related loading, steel structures design and execution standards.  

Through the revision process, various technical advancements and improvements that have developed since 1997 have been incorporated to make it more fit-for-purpose for today’s construction. 

Key Changes

With nearly three decades of industry advancements to incorporate, updates and modifications cover: 

• Scope, structure, and general requirements 

• Alignment with other standards and documents that have also progressed in more recent years, such as AS/NZS 5100, 5131, and 1554 standards and NZS 3404 part 3 which was newly revised. 

• Roles, construction category, and “architecturally exposed structural steelwork” (AESS). 

• Materials and brittle fracture updates. 

• Structural analysis and stability. 

• Member design requirements. 

• Connections and fasteners design requirements. 

• Seismic design requirements. 

• Fatigue design requirements 

• Structural fire design 

• Composite and hybrid structures including steel-concrete elements and reinforced concrete slabs. 

• Fabrication, erection, and tolerances  

Here is the summary for the revision - Summary of NZS 3404 revision

Information on how to make submissions

When you start providing your feedback please note the following instructions to submit your comments.

Please clearly state what section you are commenting on:

1. Select the section from the drop-down options (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.)
2. Select the specific area in the section from the drop-down options (e.g. Outcomes/Foreword, clause, subclause, etc.)
3. Enter the specific value number of the specific area (e.g. 1.1, 2.1.2, 5.3.4, etc.)

It is important that you only use numbering values (where possible) for the specific area of the draft you are commenting on, for example if you have chosen:

1. Section: 3 General design requirements
2. Specific area in the section: Clause
3. Specific value number of the specific area, examples below:

• 3.4.4
• 3.4.4.7
• 3.4.4.7 (a)
• 3.4.4.7 (a)(i)

The same applies for clauses, figures, tables and appendices. The numbering value is enough. Please use numerical values where possible.

4. For the (i) Foreword and references section please specify 

• The type of area in the section you are referring to, for example foreword, outcome, references, etc.
• On the specific value, identify the paragraph or the specific reference you are commenting on.

Comment

The 'Comment' field should describe the issue you feel should be addressed, and a justification for the proposed change.

Proposed change

The 'Proposed change' field should set out the specific text you propose to be added, removed or altered.

Save and come back later

The ‘Save and come back later’ button gives you the option to save your work. You will receive an email with a link to return to your consultation response before the closing date. It is recommended to use this feature if you wish to submit multiple comments.

Viewing on a laptop

• Larger screens (and also browsers on your phone) should display the digital edition well.
• If viewing on a laptop, select single-page view, as opposed to double-page view (via the settings icon at the top right).
• If you encounter ‘pagination’ errors, decrease your browser zoom percentage to 75%-80% (Ctrl+hyphen on a PC and Command+hyphen on a Mac).

Important to note

All submissions should go through this portal. Documents with submissions sent to Standards New Zealand separately are difficult for us to process, and may not be considered by the committee. If you are unable to submit your feedback using the portal, please call 0800 728 632 or email us at enquiries@standards.govt.nz explaining why, and we will work with you to support your submission. Note that each submission has a limit of 20 comments but there is no limit on the number of submissions you can make.

Please note that as a draft for public consultation some of the tables and figures are not at the final finished level of quality. When the standard is published, it will be professionally designed and laid out. Please also note that the draft revision to NZS 3404 has been edited to ensure the technical content is accurate for public consultation. The draft will go through an extensive editorial and graphic design prior to its publication. Plain language principles will also be incorporated into the published standard.