g13

G13 Foul water

Requires the safe disposal of foul water to prevent illness and the loss of amenity due to odour and accumulated matter.

Under this clause, buildings in which sanitary fixtures and sanitary appliances using water-borne waste disposal are installed must be provided with adequate plumbing and drainage to appropriate outfalls or system for storage/treatment.  This safeguards people from infection or contamination of the water supply.

It sets out requirements for the construction of plumbing systems and protects against loss of amenity due to odour or accumulation of offensive matter from foul water disposal.

Record of amendments is a record of changes to the acceptable solutions, verification methods and handbooks.

Reducing drain blockages

As part of the November 2020 NZ Building Code update, changes were made within G13/AS3 to reduce the likelihood of drain blockages and support using water efficient fixtures. Learn more about the changes to G13/AS3.

Building Code Regulations

The Building Code is published in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 1992.

The Building Code clauses include objectives, functional requirements and performance criteria. These are mandatory provisions that all new building work must comply with.

The acceptable solutions and verification methods provided on this page are deemed to comply with Building Code clause G13.

Clause G13 — Foul water

Updates

Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods

Current version

MBIE has historical versions of the code clause documents which can be located under 'Previous Versions' and 'Version History'. Alternatively if you cannot find the document you are looking for, you can send an email with the year and code clause you are after to info@building.govt.nz.

 

Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods (AS and VMs) were called compliance documents. Some still have the “compliance document” title but the AS or VMs they contain are valid and unaffected by the name change.

Standards

Standards are frequently referred to in Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods. They provide practical information and guidelines for building solutions.

Over 120 building standards used for Building Code compliance are now available for free download.

See the free standards relating to Code Clause G13.

All standards, including the funded ones, can be accessed through the Standards New Zealand website.

Guidance

These documents are provided for assistance. They are not intended as a means of establishing compliance with the Building Act or Building Code, and they do not have the same status accorded to Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods under the Act.

Related Determinations

Determinations are made by MBIE on matters of doubt or dispute to do with building work. Rulings are legally binding in relation to each case. Circumstances in one case may differ to others.

Related building products

All products, systems and construction methods that have achieved CodeMark status will be listed here with their most up to date certificate.

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: