BWoF & Compliance

A specified system is a system that is contained within a building for the primary purpose of maintaining health or life safety of building users. For example fire systems, back flow preventers, lifts and the like. To see the full list of specified systems refer within the following DBH guidance notes; http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Building/Building-Act/building-wof-guidance.pdf

Where one or more of these systems exist in a building, a Compliance Schedule and Building Warrant of Fitness is required.

The Building Act’s purpose is to ensure buildings are safe and built right, the first time. Within the Act, it states that owners of a building containing specified system/s must obtain a Compliance Schedule and ensure that any specified system operates effectively for the life of the building. To ensure you meet your responsibilities, a Building Warrant of Fitness must be produced each year confirming all these systems have regularly been inspected, maintained and reported on.

This is a certificate issued by an Independent Qualified Person (IQP) verifying that a specified systems inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures, as set out on the Compliance Schedule, has been undertaken. This is provided to support the BWoF.

Issuing of the BWOF certificate is the owner’s responsibility. This must be renewed annually. The owner is required to display a copy of the BWOF certificate in a visible location in the building where it can be seen and to which the public have access. Owners can employ agents to issue the BWOF and co-ordinate the entire process on their behalf.

In summary every year the building owner is required to:

• Issue a BWOF
• Display a copy of the BWOF certificate (Form 12) in a visible location
• Provide Council with a copy of the BWOF and Form 12A Certificates

The building owner’s responsibilities are clear, whether or not the building is tenanted. A building owner may delegate their responsibility to a tenant. But this does not alleviate the owner from liability if the tenant fails to fulfil obligations. A building owner or anyone acting on the building owner’s behalf in supplying documentation for the BWOF may be liable if they make a false or misleading statement.

You can use CoveKinloch to act as your agent to help sort out all the paper work which can be for most owners a very onerous task. CoveKinloch can on your behalf co-ordinate all specialist IQP inspections required for each of the specified systems in your building, collect the paper work and issue the BWOF as well as deal with the Council for you. We also have various specialist staff available to provide additional compliance advice and technical support.