E3 – Amendment 7 to Acceptable Solution E3/AS1 for Internal Moisture
Amendment 7 to the Acceptable Solution E3/AS1, for Clause E3 Internal Moisture of the New
Zealand Building Code came into force on 3 November 2021, with the previous Amendment 6
expiring on this date. Amendment 7 was effective from 5 November 2020, however, was subject to a one-year transition period.
One of the main changes is that Amendment 7 now includes the reclassification of dishwashers and washing machines as Sanitary Appliances and basins and sinks as Sanitary Fixtures. There is a requirement for ensuring flooring solutions which must now have a finish that is both impervious and easily cleaned and, in open spaces, this surface must extend at least 1.5 metres from all sanitary fixtures and appliances. Timber or timber-based products can no longer be used as linings and finishes to floors in wet areas.
Independently Tested – Jacobsen TimberTop Wood Flooring is an E3 Alternative
Solution
Independently tested in New Zealand by SGS Industrial Certification Services, a 48-hour water
spill test showed that there was no noticeable change to the Jacobsen TimberTop Wood
Flooring and that there was no water penetration through to the flooring substrate when installed
using the following method:
- Substrate Flooring Membrane: Substrate protected by Uzin PE460 2-Component
Epoxy Blocking Primer to act as a barrier against moisture penetration - Aliphatic D3 water resistant PVA adhesive applied into all joints
- Planks adhered to the substrate using Uzin MK95 1-Component PUR Wood Flooring
Adhesive
Installation and Maintenance
Installation and maintenance are to be carried out following the TimberTop Installation Guide
attached. An amendment regarding E3 Alternative Solutions has been added to the installation
instructions. Both the surface and the joints are impervious when installed in this manner.
Jacobsen TimberTop floors are protected with seven layers of scratch resistant UV urethane
which is easily maintained with a vacuum, damp mop and a pH neutral detergent.