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13 - Adequacy of resources and equipment

Purpose

To examine the resources and equipment the Council's building control staff have to carry out their building control operations.

Background

The effectiveness of building control staff can be enhanced with access to appropriate aids and resources such as a technical reference library, digital cameras and moisture meters.

Findings

The Department found that technical staff have access to a range of up-to-date hard copy Standards, Compliance Documents, guidance documents, technical literature periodicals and trade journals. The Department identified some disparity between staff understanding of what level of technical resource and information is available and how this may be accessed, with several staff not being aware of the levels of technical information available on the intranet system.

The Department also found that building inspectors have use of dedicated vehicles that are adequately equipped with the necessary safety and operational equipment. The Council has recently replaced its film- based cameras with newer digital cameras that will be made available to all inspection staff.

Recommendations to the Council Response from the Council
Undertake and maintain an inventory of technical resources and ensure all staff are fully aware of how to best access such information and equipment.

The Council has taken the following steps to improve access to technical resources.

  • Registers of equipment have been established as part of its application for BCA accreditation.
  • It has invested in on-line access to Standards New Zealand's building catalogue of Standards to ensure officers are accessing the most recent information.
  • Staff have been trained in the use of the website as well as the Council's intranet, which also contains lists of technical publications held in the team library.
  • Some manufacturer information is held in the library.
  • Internet access is available to all officers.

Conclusion

The Council has implemented the Department's recommendations and continues to improve the accessibility of information and equipment to staff.