DZ NZS 3604 Timber-framed buildings

Overview

Have your say on the revision of New Zealand’s leading construction standard – NZS 3604 Timber‑framed buildings

What is NZS 3604?

NZS 3604 Timber-framed buildings is a leading standard used by designers, builders, architects, engineers, and consenting authorities. The standard underpins the design and construction of a large percentage of New Zealand’s light timber-framed buildings. It prescribes provisions for structural solutions including foundation details, bracing, spans, fixings, connectors and layout, grounded in New Zealand unique environmental conditions.

Revision of NZS 3604

This consultation provides the formal opportunity for individuals, organisations, and stakeholders with an interest in the standard to review and provide feedback on the proposed changes.

To support your review, the full text of the draft revised standard is available for the duration of the consultation period. It is available as a browser-based document that allows similar functionality to a PDF document, but provides greater protection of the content. This change to our previous practice is needed to protect against unauthorised copying or use of the content of the draft, including by AI enabled systems.

Instructions on how to use this document are provided on the feedback pages.

Please note:

The NZS 3604 draft is published solely for public consultation and will change before final release. It must not be used for practical application, as genuine industry feedback will shape the final standard.
Access is provided solely for the purpose of public consultation.
Copyright and intellectual property in the NZS 3604 draft is owned by Standards New Zealand on behalf of the Crown. Copying or using draft content without written permission is not premitted.

Scope of the revision

This revision focuses on improving both usability and technical coverage of NZS 3604. Key areas of change include:

New and updated framing solutions for three‑storey construction (bracing not included in this draft).
Improved guidance on thermal performance, including new construction details.
Updated foundation solutions for moderately expansive soils and liquefaction‑prone sites.
Clarification of requirements for stairwell framing and isolated internal masonry walls.
Rationalisation of timber sizes and grades to align with materials commonly available in the New Zealand market.
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 contact 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.

Provide your feedback here

Online submission

Audiences

Environment