A PS1 (Producer Statement – Design) is a signed design declaration from a qualified professional that your balustrade design meets the New Zealand Building Code. Councils use PS1s as evidence to help decide on building consent or CCC, but they accept them at their discretion and can ask for more information. Fun fact: a PS1 is a professional opinion, not a product warranty, which is why councils look at the author’s credentials and the supporting calculations, not just the form.
Why councils ask for a PS1
Glass balustrades are safety-critical barriers. A PS1 gives council confidence that the design meets the Code for strength, rigidity, height and human impact safety. It is commonly required at consent for new builds, renovations with new or altered barriers, and any custom or non-standard solution.
Who can issue a PS1
A Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or a recognised specialist working within their competence can issue a PS1 for the balustrade design. Councils may also require a PS2 (Design Review) from an independent peer reviewer for higher-risk or atypical designs, and later a PS3 (Construction) and PS4 (Construction Review) at the end of the job.
What a good PS1 package includes
A tidy PS1 bundle makes consent smoother. Expect to see:
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A clear system description: glass type and build (toughened or laminated toughened), thickness, interlayer, supports (spigots, posts, channel), rails, fixings and substrates.
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Design actions and checks: loads and deflection to the AS/NZS 1170 series, including wind where relevant, and any site hazard notes.
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Barrier compliance to the NZ Building Code: heights, openings and climbability against Clause F4 Safety from Falling.
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Glass compliance: safety glazing to AS/NZS 2208 and selection to NZS 4223.3:2016 Section 22 for glass barriers as cited by B1/AS1.
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Details and drawings: plans, elevations, sections, fixings, edge distances, membrane interfaces, and any interlinking top rail where required. Note that 2016 changes to B1/AS1 require specific interlinking rail provisions for structural glass barriers designed to NZS 4223.3.
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The author’s declaration with qualifications, scope and limitations.
Key standards that typically underpin a PS1 for glass balustrades
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NZBC F4 Safety from Falling for barrier height, openings and overall safety intent.
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B1/AS1 Structure referencing NZS 4223.3:2016 Section 22 for glass barriers.
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AS/NZS 1170 Structural Design Actions for wind, occupancy loads and load combinations used in barrier sizing and rail design.
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AS/NZS 2208 Safety glazing materials for impact safety classification of toughened and laminated glass.
Heads up: councils decide how much weight to give a PS1 and may still request peer review, test evidence or alternative solution justification depending on risk.
When a PS1 is required
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New or altered balustrades on decks, balconies, stairs or voids where a fall of 1.0 m or more exists.
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Custom systems or proprietary systems outside simple, fully-documented catalog solutions.
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Projects where council conditions specify PS1 and, sometimes, PS2 for design review.
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What to prepare before you request a PS1
Bring a simple pack: site address and consent number, wind zone or site exposure, barrier locations and lengths, finished floor levels and drops, intended fixing method and substrates, desired glass make-up, any top rail requirement, and coordination notes for membranes or waterproof junctions. This lets the engineer complete calculations and details without back-and-forth.
Royal Glass PS1 terms and conditions
For Partner Programme customers
We provide PS1 documentation as a free service under the Partner Programme, subject to the Partner agreement.
For non-partner customers
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$500 + GST for a complete PS1 set during planning, credited to your deposit if the project proceeds.
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Special engineer designs (custom systems) incur $1,500 + GST per system for specific engineering design and certification.
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Refunds for a standard PS1 combo are available if the project is cancelled and you provide written council evidence of cancellation. Engineer design fees and completed work are not refundable.
General
All fees are exclusive of GST. Payment for PS1 documentation is taken upfront at planning for non-partners. Fees and terms may be revised with notice.
We can prepare the PS1 package, coordinate any PS2 peer review, and supply compliant glass and hardware with clean detailing. Email info@royalglass.co.nz or call 0800 769 254 for friendly advice and a smooth consent path.
