The influence of technical reviews
Technical reviews are encouraging territorial authorities (TAs) and building consent authorities (BCAs) to improve the way in which they manage their building control responsibilities.
The technical reviews are part of the Department of Building and Housing’s ongoing performance monitoring programme. The Department aims to improve the implementation of local and national regulatory building controls under the Building Act 2004, leading to greater efficiency, improved performance, better compliance and ultimately enhanced consumer protection and confidence in the regulatory system. One of the most important mechanisms for achieving this is the technical review programme.
Technical reviews are carried out by the Department’s Performance Monitoring and Review Team within the Regulatory Compliance Business Unit. Reviewers carry out on-site assessments looking at specific procedures for determining Building Code and Act compliance, including critical issues such as weathertightness, fire and accessibility compliance, alternative solutions, producer statement acceptance, and the building warrant of fitness regime. Reviews also consider capability issues such as human resources, technical knowledge, the adequacy and accessibility of other resources such as technical literature, public records, and relationships with other TAs, BCAs and contractors.
Improvements resulting from performance monitoring
As part of the technical review process, the Department provides TAs and BCAs with practical recommendations for improving their building control operations. Some of the initiatives taken in response to those recommendations include the following.
- Structural realignment/ organisational change
Some TAs/BCAs have reorganised their building control operations to enable them to better meet their responsibilities under the Building Act.
- Development of formal policies and procedures
A common recommendation of technical reviews is the development of formal policies and procedures to underpin various aspects of building control work. These are intended to provide a basis for decisionmaking and ensure consistency of practice. They also provide an opportunity to challenge and improve existing practices, identify training needs, make a case for additional resources and improved systems, and can also be used as a training tool.
TAs/BCAs have implemented new and improved checklists for processing building consent
applications and undertaking inspections. They have introduced peer review processes and developed formal policies and procedures in other areas such as the use of consent conditions
and notations on plans, the exercise of enforcement powers, assessment of alternatives, and acceptance and assessment processes for producer statements.
- Identification of training needs and provision of training
Technical reviews have proven useful in helping to identify some of the specific skill gaps in
organisations. In many cases, TAs/BCAs also undertake their own exercises to identify training needs by mapping the skills and competence of their staff against the skills and knowledge required. Some TAs/BCAs have increased training budgets to enable staff to attend the necessary professional development and training, some have developed in-house courses tailored to their specific organisational needs. Some TAs/ BCAs have also initiated cadetships using experienced and semi-retired staff to mentor new cadets.
- Process efficiencies/smarter systems
The need for TAs/BCAs to manage large volumes of building consent applications with limited resources means they often need to find smarter ways of doing things. Following technical reviews, some TAs/BCAs have undertaken initiatives such as rotating staff between consent processing and inspection duties so they have a better appreciation of both roles, and developing triplicate inspection checklists to enable records of inspections to be provided to owners and other staff with minimum delay.
- Improved technical resources
Technical reviews also look at the technical resources available to building control staff. Many TAs/BCAs have improved their resources by updating technical libraries, acquiring
more vehicles and purchasing equipment such as digital cameras, moisture meters
and ladders.
- Increased profile and budget for building control
Technical reviews have had the effect of focusing TAs’ attention on the importance of their building control operations. In some cases this has increased the profile of the building control operations, as well as the professional status of its staff. Technical reviews have also helped initiate increased building control budgets.
Involvement of TAs/BCA s in the technical review process
TAs and BCAs play a critical role in the technical review process from cooperating with the Review Team during the assessments through to input into the written reports. The Department appreciates this input, which is crucial to promoting continued performance improvements in the sector. The Department has received positive feedback from TAs/ BCAs involved in the process, saying the recommendations made have provided clarity and a useful foundation to build upon, particularly during their preparations for accreditation as a building consent authority.
The future of technical reviews
Technical reviews are currently being used by many organisations as a tool to assess their readiness for BCA accreditation. When the BCA scheme comes into force, the building consent accreditation body appointed by the Department will reinforce, complement and support the Department’s monitoring through regular accreditation auditing of accredited building consent authorities. The Department will continue to have a monitoring and review function as per its statutory functions under the Building Act 2004.
Further in formation
If you would like more information on the technical review programme or to read previously published technical review reports go to: http://www.dbh.govt.nz/technical-reviews