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4.2 Drainage access points

Access point to underground drainage pipes

Work to drains via a purpose-made access point can be carried out without a building consent, provided the work is done by an authorised person.

Legally required professional: Authorised Drainlayer

What the law says

Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004

Exemption 33. Drainage access points

The opening and reinstatement of any purpose-made access point within a drainage system that is not a NUO system or part of a NUO system.

What is exempt

  1. A drain is blocked by a back-up of waste material within the drainage system after a child flushed a hand towel down the toilet. The building owner fixes the problem by opening a purpose-made access point, removing the towel, clearing the blockage and reinstating the access point.

What needs consent

  1. A multi-storey apartment building has a blocked drain and no access points can be found. The owner is informed that several access chambers will need to be installed for future access. As this involves more than opening and reinstating access points, and since it is not considered minor drain alterations, a building consent is required.
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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: