Why Registration?

The registration scheme, administered by an independent committee, was established in 1975 to set standards of achievement in structural masonry for the masonry trade. The primary reason for the establishment of such a scheme was the need to ensure that masons were fully competent in meeting the structural aspects of their work, particularly as it relates to earthquake design requirements.

The traditional apprenticeship at the time, mainly focused on the craft of bricklaying, with only limited time available to consider the structural matters of laying blockwork, fixing reinforcement and grouting of concrete masonry walls – all of which are crucial to structural performance of masonry in earthquakes.

In 2003 the Brick & Blocklayer Federation New Zealand (BBFNZ) asked the Board to extend registration procedures to include bricklaying.

The committee’s objectives were set in 1975 as:

• To process and, where appropriate, approve applications for registration.

• To promote, encourage and improve standards of masonry construction.

• To promote education and training of masons.

These objectives remain the same for today’s Board, formed in 1987 from the original committee structure and are applicable to both concrete masonry and brickwork.

The Board and Registration Scheme

The following groups can have representation on the Registration Board.

Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand (ACENZ)

Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)

Clay Brick & Paver Manufacturers Association (CBPMA)

New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association (NZCMA)

Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ)

Building Officials' Institute of New Zealand (BOINZ)

Brick & Blocklayers Federation New Zealand (BBFNZ)

The Board’s activities are directed towards implementing the primary objectives and establishing a pool of tradespeople with a recognized qualification. There are two qualifications:

1. ‘Registered Structural Mason’ shows that the mason can meet the required standards of workmanship for masonry, reinforcement fixing and grouting of masonry walls, set by NZS 4210, as well as understanding the requirements of the appropriate sections of the New Zealand Building Code.

2. 'Registered Master Bricklayer' shows that a bricklayer can meet the required standards of brickwork set by NZS 4210 and NZSHB 4236 as well as understanding the requirements of the appropriate sections of the New Zealand Building Code.

The Board is also committed to a periodic updating of knowledge to the Registered Structural Mason and Registered Master Bricklayer as new Standards or practices are developed.

However the Board cannot expand the pool of qualified masons alone. There is a need for specifiers, architects, engineers and territorial authorities in particular, to support the concept of the scheme.

The Path to Registration - Structural Mason

What does the structural mason do to achieve registration?

• Registration papers can be obtained from the Board Secretary or can be downloaded here (Structural Mason Registration Pack). The principal papers are project audit certificates for completion by the mason and the required auditors, as outlined below.
   

• Three projects must be observed during construction, one by a NZMTRB Registration Auditor (Blocklaying) and the other two by chartered engineers and/or corporate members of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) who are required to verify that the applicant has been fully responsible for:

1. Interpretation of plans and specifications.

2. Setting out, selection and laying of masonry units.

3. Preparation and placing of reinforcing steel.

4. Placing and compaction of concrete/grout into masonry cores and cavities.

Note:  A list of NZMTRB Registration Auditors can be downloaded from the Registration Auditors page.  A different engineer may be used for the second and third projects.

• A multi-choice answer examination set by the Board is conducted by one of the project auditors/engineers to test the applicant's understanding of structural masonry and its relevance in earthquake resistant construction.  This requirement can also be met by evidence of satisfactory completion of a correspondence course "Registration of Masons" run by WELTEC, Private Bag 39803, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045, telephone 0800-935-832, www.weltec.ac.nz.
   

• The mason must also be able to show a satisfactorily completed trade certificate/apprenticeship training programme or a significant period of employment in the trade.  Where no formal trade certificate has been completed the Board requires a minimum of nine years experience in the mason industry.

Note:  The projects and examination must be completed within a two-year time span.

The requirements for the actual construction of the projects and the examination relate principally to Standard NZS 4210 Masonry Construction, but also to sections of NZS 4229 Concrete Masonry Buildings Not Requiring Specific Engineering Design, NZS 3604 Timber Framed Buildings and also the Building Act and Regulations.  All these standards contain some references of structural importance, which the mason needs to be aware of.

Typical project examples are retaining walls, basement walls and walls for commercial and residential buildings.  The important issue is that the NZMTRB Registration Auditor (Blocklaying) or the professional engineers must be available to inspect the projects during construction.  If the project is a residential wall to NZS 4229, this will probably require special arrangements for an auditor's/engineer’s inspection.

• The registration applications and the three project audit certificates are sent to the Board Secretary, together with the application fee ($100.00 as at August 2008).

Note:  There may be a cost associated with the assessments of project reports.  Any assessor fees must be met directly by the applicant.

• Each Board member reviews the applications and may ask for supplementary information where necessary before deciding whether to approve the application.  The costs of any further assessment must be met directly by the applicant.

What does the bricklayer do to achieve registration?

• Registration papers can be obtained from the Board Secretary or can be downloaded here (Bricklayer Registration Pack).   The principal papers are project audit certificates for completion by the mason and the required auditors as outlined below.
   

• Three projects must be observed during construction by the required auditor (as outlined below) who is required to verify that the applicant has been fully responsible for:

1. Interpretation of plans and specifications.

2. Setting out, selection and laying of brickwork.

Note:  One auditor must be a NZMTRB Registration Auditor (Bricklaying) and the other two can either be NZMTRB Registration Auditors (Bricklaying), Trade Assessors, Building Inspectors, Architects/Designers and/or Engineers.  A list of NZMTRB Registration Auditors can be downloaded from the Registration Auditors page.

• Photographs are required of each project submitted and should include the following aspects - elevation view (not too distant), weep holes, washouts, top vents, ties, scope of project.

• A multi-choice answer examination set by the Board is conducted by one of the certified auditors to test the applicant's understanding of compliance with standards and bricklaying code.  This requirement can also be met if evidence of satisfactory completion of a correspondence course "Registration of Masons" run by WELTEC, Private Bag 39803, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045, telephone 0800-935-832, www.weltec.ac.nz.

• The bricklayer must also be able to show a satisfactorily completed trade certificate/apprenticeship training programme or a significant period of employment in the trade.  Where no formal trade certificate has been completed the Board requires a minimum of nine years experience in the masonry industry.

• The Board can set alternative procedures to recognise current competency of bricklayers applying for registration.  Currently, membership of a local Masonry Trades Association affiliated to the Brick & Blocklayers Federation New Zealand (BBFNZ) reduces the number of projects required to two.

Note:  The projects and examination must be completed within a two-year time span.

The requirements for the actual construction of the projects and the examination relate principally to Standard NZS 4210 Masonry Construction, but also to sections of NZS 4229 Concrete Masonry Buildings Not Requiring Specific Engineering Design, NZS 3604 Timber Framed Buildings and also the Building Act and Regulations. All these standards contain some references to brickwork, which the bricklayer needs to be aware of.

New Zealand Standards Handbook NZSHB 4236 has been produced and this brings together all the relevant clauses from the industry documents.

• The registration applications, copy of trade certificate and the three project audit certificates are sent to the Board Secretary, together with the application fee ($100.00 as at August 2008).

• Where the Board is considering an alternative method of assessment of current competency, additional application fees will apply.  These fees will be notified to the applicant prior to the assessment taking place ($100.00 as at August 2005).

Note:  There may be a cost associated with the assessments of project reports.  Any assessor fees must be met directly by the applicant.
 

• Each Board member reviews the applications, and may ask for supplementary information where necessary before deciding whether to approve the application.  The costs of any further assessment must be met directly by the applicant.
   

• One Auditor must be a NZMTRB Registration Auditor (Bricklaying) and the other two can either be NZMTRB Registration Auditors (Bricklaying), Trade Assessors, Building Inspectors, Architect/Designers and/or Engineers.

Who is Registered?

Once the Board has approved an application the mason’s name will be entered in the records and will be included in the listings, which are available on the website www.mtrb.org.nz.  A registration card will be issued confirming registration. This card is up-dated annually following payment of fees.

The mason may then use the title Registered Structural Mason or Registered Master Bricklayer, and is encouraged to do so.

Any specifier, approving authority, building owner, and so on, who wishes to know whether a mason is registered, may ask to see the current registration card, or may refer to the most recently published list. New names are continually being added to the records, so that at any time a particular mason may be registered, but not yet appear on the list. A phone call/fax to the Secretary or reference to the website www.mtrb.org.nz, will quickly confirm the true situation.

The Benefits

In the changing scene of regulation in respect of the New Zealand Building Code and the supporting Standards, there is now a clearer understanding of responsibilities for skill levels and their impact on the construction of the building. While New Zealand Standards documentation cannot specifically require masonry work to be carried out by Registered Structural Masons or Registered Master Bricklayer, it does express the opinion that such work preferably should be carried out by an accredited tradesman.  This scheme provides the accrediting qualification.

However the Department of Building and Housing is introducing compulsory licensing of various building trades.  The trade lists includes brick and blocklayers.  By 2010 Licensing of Building Practitioners will be fully operational.  The current NZMTRB Registration Scheme is a means of identifying acceptable experience and will provide exemptions from the requirements to submit projects for evaluation for Licensing.  A formal requirement by 2015 will be the attaining of a National Certificate in Brick/Blocklaying.

The Board also requires every five years, the audit of the Registered Structural Mason’s work by a NZMTRB Registration Auditor (Blocklaying) or professional engineer.

Essentially, Standards New Zealand documents are giving a clear warning that if something goes wrong later in the construction, the engagement of a non-registered mason could be seen as a possible contributing cause. Such situations increase the risk of liability to those who should have been aware of the distinction relating to registration.

Contact for further information:

The Secretary

New Zealand Masonry Trades Registration Board

P O Box 448

WELLINGTON 6140

Telephone:   0-4-499-8820
Facsimile:   0-4-499-7760

E-mail:   admin@cca.org.nz

Website:    www.mtrb.org.nz

Page updated 22 September 2008.