NZS 4297:2020 PDF Download

The NZS 4297:2020 standard serves as a valuable resource for building consent authorities, designers, builders, and individuals involved in the construction of earth walled buildings in New Zealand and worldwide. The main objective of this standard is to ensure compliance with the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) and provide guidance for the successful construction of earth buildings.

Earth walled construction is considered relevant in the current context where sustainability and decarbonization of the built environment are of utmost importance. Earth materials used in such construction are minimally processed, non-toxic, and locally available, making them an environmentally friendly choice. The use of local earthen materials with low embodied energy aligns with the goal of reducing carbon emissions in the building industry.

The revised standard takes into account advancements in earth building practice, research, changes in referenced standards, and updates in building legislation such as the Building Act 2004 and the New Zealand Building Code. It is worth noting that, to date, there have been no reported failures of any earth building constructed in accordance with this suite of standards, further highlighting their effectiveness and reliability.