Network News January - March 2010

What’s new – the Noticeboard

Preferred supplier of project management services update

We are pleased to advise that schools in the West Coast, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Chatham Islands regions can now choose project managers from a list of preferred suppliers.

We encourage schools to review the preferred supplier list located on the Ministry’s website to save time and money when procuring a project manager. Schools must decide if they wish to use the preferred supplier list or the normal procurement processes available to them. If a school chooses to use the preferred supplier list, then they can only approach suppliers on the list. If a school approaches a supplier that is not on the list, they will need to restart the procurement process.

It is strongly recommended that schools approach three suppliers and speak with them to ensure there is a comfortable fit, as they could potentially be working together for five years. Being able to work together is more important than the contract price in the long term.

Prices supplied by preferred suppliers have been developed with a one-stop-shop service in mind and many suppliers have priced accordingly. Prices from non-preferred suppliers may be quite different.

Preferred supplier project managers have been extensively evaluated and have demonstrated that they can provide advice on 10-year property plans, capital building projects and property management advice.

Meanwhile, we are approaching the end of the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) phase of the procurement process for a further four regions. We expect to have these regions finalised by the end of March 2010:

• Central South Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa, Tararua.
• Manawatu - Wanganui Manawatu, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Ruapehu and Horowhenua.
• Taranaki New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki
• Waikato South Waikato, Otorohanga and Waitomo.

Once preferred suppliers have been confirmed in the regions, preferred suppliers undergo a one-day intensive induction training programme.

For more information, please visit the Ministry’s website www.minedu.govt.nz/property. You are also welcome to contact Ministry's Senior Policy Analyst Mark Stallmann in the Property Management Group mark.stallmann@minedu.govt.nz [no spam].

Historic school bells

Do you have a special bell at your school?

Lynton Diggle, co-author of the 8th edition of the New Zealand Shipwreck book, is compiling a register of ship’s bells and would appreciate finding out if any schools are using old ship bells. He would also like to hear about church bells being used at schools.

If you have an identifiable historic bell at your school, could you please phone Lynton on 09 817 9001 or email lynton.diggle@orcon.net.nz [no spam].

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Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF)

Under the Building Act most schools require a Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) with the only exception being some small schools. Schools with any specified systems as listed in the Act are issued with a compliance schedule by the local council itemising which of the systems and features are in the school, and the inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures that need to be carried out to ensure they are operating correctly. For more information about what items are included in a schedule, refer to Section 7.3 of the Property Management Handbook.

The Ministry, as the school’s owner, arranges for an Independent Qualified Person (IQP) to inspect all of the systems on the compliance schedules. Currently Argest provides this service.

However, each school is required to:

• complete the owner’s inspections (usually once a month, schools with 100 or more occupiers need the exit routes checked daily) and record these in the school’s compliance manual. Following inspection, the Confirmation of Inspection card needs to be posted back to Argest each month
• ensure all Section A and B remedial work is completed as soon as possible after receiving any Work Requirement Notice’s (WRN) from IQPs
• advise Argest if any specified systems are decommissioned, removed or newly installed.

New sets of the inspection recording forms are available from Argest.

Any school that doesn’t do the first two steps can’t be issued with a BWOF. This has a number of significant implications including legal action from territorial authorities, non-compliance concerns raised by ERO, or possible refusal of any insurance claims for damage to buildings, eg from fire.

A prerequisite for starting capital works projects is that the school must have no outstanding WRNS or school staff inspections.

Please also note that if any schools are required to have an remedial work carried out (via a Work Requirement Notice) they are not obliged to use the companies that issued the WRN. Schools can use any competent company of their choice.

Training with regard to the owners inspections regime is available at no cost to the school, and is encouraged. It is suggested that at least two staff members receive this training.

If schools have any issues with either of these tasks, or the school staff need training about the owner’s inspections, please contact Argest on 0800 274 378, or email rwilson@argest.com [no spam].

BANZ Wood Pellet Boiler Operator Training Course

Does your school have a wood pellet boiler? Or are you thinking about installing a wood pellet boiler? BANZ (Bioenergy Association of New Zealand) offers training for school staff responsible for operating wood pellet boilers to ensure safe and efficient boiler operation.

Many schools have been replacing their existing boilers, shifting from coal to pellets in the process. Others have been able to convert existing boilers from coal to run on pellets. Of the 46 school boilers now running on wood fuel, 40 are running on wood pellets and 31 are boiler conversions (originally coal boilers) now running on wood pellets.

There are a number of obvious advantages to using wood pellets, the most obvious is that they are clean burning and use a sustainable fuel. However, operating a wood pellet boiler is quite different to operating a coal boiler, and boiler operator training is an essential component of switching from one fuel to another.

BANZ courses

BANZ ran country-wide courses in 2009 and will be holding a further half-day training course for schools operating wood pellet boilers at:

The course focuses on:

• efficient use of boilers
• emissions reduction, and
• operational safety.

The course is hands on and takes place in the school boiler house. An operator training resource book will be given to attendees and they will also receive a certificate certifying that they have attended the training.

Make a booking

To book, email admin@bioenergy.org.nz [no spam]. Please enclude your name and contact details.

If you cannot attend the course on 26 May, email to register your interest in future courses later in the year.

Course fees $90 (payable to The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand). Account 030510:0812287:00. Please note your name as the payee.

The course will be conducted primarily by Desmond Gong, Combustion Engineer at Solid Energy. Desmond is considered a leading expert in boiler technology and wood pellet and coal combustion.

New on the web

• Surplus school properties updated for February 2010.
• Consultants Billboard all billboards updated with new listings.
• Property forum dates for 2010 are now available.