GIB stopping Level 4 vs Level 5, and the compliance a NZ plasterer carries

Most plastering disputes in New Zealand come down to one sentence missing from a quote: which finish level did the client agree to? Behind that sit three bigger questions that decide whether you are covered when something goes wrong. Is the wall you are lining a tested fire or bracing system? Is it a party wall with an acoustic rating? And is the plaster you are applying outside restricted building work that needs a licensed practitioner? This guide answers each in plain English.

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Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5: what the finish levels mean

Plasterboard finish levels are defined in AS/NZS 2589 and explained in the GIB Site Guide. Level 3 is for areas that will not be decorated, such as above ceiling level or inside service shafts. Level 4 is the default level of finish for gypsum linings unless the specification says otherwise, and it is what is generally accepted for flat or low-sheen paint or wallpaper under non-critical lighting. Level 5 adds a skim coat over the entire surface and is intended for gloss or semi-gloss paint, and for critical lighting conditions on flat or low-sheen paint, where light rakes across a wall or large windows show every imperfection. Resene also recommends it for dark colours. Two cautions from the manufacturer: Level 5 is hard to achieve, and it depends on tighter tolerances in framing and board installation, so the framer, board installer, plasterer and painter all have a part in it. A skim coat applied to a wall that is already out of plane will not fix it. Our finish levels page has more detail.

The commercial point is simple: put the level on the quote and the invoice, per room if it varies. Toolie’s plastering take-off asks for the finish level for walls and ceilings separately, defaults both to Level 4 as the GIB Site Guide does, and prices the compound for the level you pick, including the extra full-surface skim for Level 5. The level you chose is then on the quote, so a client cannot later say they were promised a higher finish.

Fire-rated and bracing walls are tested systems, not a free choice

A fire-resistance rating or a bracing rating on a GIB wall is only achieved by the specific tested system: the board type, the number of layers, the fastener type and spacing, the jointing details and the fire-rated tape and sealant specified. Substituting a cheaper board, dropping a layer, or changing the fixing pattern can void the rating even if the wall looks identical. The same applies to bracing elements such as GIB EzyBrace (covered by BRANZ Appraisal 294), where the bracing units only count if the board, fixings and hold-downs match the system. Altering or creating a bracing, fire-rated or acoustic-separating element generally needs a building consent. If the consent documents name a system, you build that system. If you think a substitution is equivalent, get it approved in writing before you change anything. See our substitution guide for the common traps.

Toolie has a fire and acoustic system register for this. Per job you enter the tested system reference from the plans, the fire rating, the acoustic rating required, and then each wall: board type and thickness, number of layers, fixing type and spacing, penetration sealing, and a tick for whether it was built exactly to the tested system. It also records who inspected it and when, and prints a record for the Code Compliance Certificate file.

Acoustic walls between units: NZBC clause G6

Where walls, floors and ceilings are common between separate household units, as in terraced houses and apartments, Building Code clause G6 (Airborne and impact sound) sets minimum performance. Under the Building Regulations 1992 (Schedule 1, the Building Code), the Sound Transmission Class (STC) of walls, floors and ceilings common between occupancies must be no less than 55, and the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of floors must be no less than 55. Those numbers are performance requirements for the finished assembly, so they are met by building the specified wall system correctly, with the right studs, layers, insulation, isolation and perimeter sealing. Gaps around penetrations and unsealed perimeters are what usually undo a good acoustic design. Keep a record of what you built, including the sealant used at the perimeter, because the council may ask for evidence at the CCC stage.

External plastering: restricted building work and the LBP External Plastering class

Inside, plastering is not licensed. Outside, it is a different world. On a home built under a building consent, work that affects weathertightness, including cladding, is restricted building work (RBW) under the Building Act 2004. RBW must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner in a suitable class, and External Plastering is one of the LBP classes, alongside Carpentry, Roofing, Brick and Blocklaying, Foundations, Design and Site. Check your competency scope on the LBP register at lbp.govt.nz, because the plaster and substrate systems an LBP is licensed for are set out in the class competencies. When you carry out or supervise the RBW, section 88 requires you to give the owner and the council a Record of Work, which goes in with the Code Compliance Certificate application. Monolithic cladding is an E2 External Moisture solution, and the cladding manufacturer’s installation requirements, flashings and control joints are part of what the council inspects. Many councils will also ask for a PS3 from the plasterer. They do not have to accept one, so ask which documents will be taken before you finish. Toolie’s plasterer pack has a PS3 certificate for exterior plaster and a plaster system warranty record, and you can record your LBP number on both.

Dust and asbestos: health and safety for the sanding crew

Two health hazards follow plasterers around. The first is asbestos in older buildings. The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 apply the refurbishment rules to structures built before 1 January 2000, and textured coatings applied in that period can contain asbestos. Before refurbishment, a competent person must determine whether asbestos or asbestos-containing material is present, and the area should be presumed to contain it if the person is unsure or cannot inspect it. Do not dry-sand or scrape suspect coatings. The second is fine dust. Sanding jointing compound and cutting fibre-cement or other mineral products can release dust, and dust from cutting fibre cement can contain respirable crystalline silica. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 your business has to eliminate the risk or minimise it with controls, which generally means extraction or dust-suppressed tools, wet methods where suitable, good housekeeping and the right respirator. We have not quoted a WorkSafe exposure figure on this page; use the current WorkSafe guidance for your site. Our asbestos guide covers the wider picture.

Sources

Official sources this guide relies on. Rules change, so check the current version before relying on a date or threshold.

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Common questions

What is the difference between Level 4 and Level 5 GIB stopping?

Both are finish levels defined in AS/NZS 2589 and explained in the GIB Site Guide. Level 4 is the default level of finish for gypsum linings, suitable for flat or low-sheen paint under non-critical lighting. Level 5 adds a skim coat over the whole surface and is intended for gloss or semi-gloss paint or critical lighting. Level 5 is harder to achieve and needs tighter framing and installation tolerances.

Which GIB finish level is the default in NZ?

Level 4. The GIB Site Guide says Level 4 is the default level of finish for gypsum linings unless specified otherwise. Level 3 is for areas that will not be decorated, such as above ceiling level or inside service shafts. Write the level on your quote so there is no argument later.

Does a plasterer need to be an LBP in NZ?

Not for interior plasterboard stopping. External plastering that is part of the weathertight cladding on a consented home is restricted building work, which must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner in a suitable class. External Plastering is one of the LBP classes. Check the competencies on the LBP register for the system you are applying.

Can I substitute a different board in a fire-rated or bracing wall?

Not without approval. A fire or bracing rating only applies to the specific tested system, including the board type, the layers, the fasteners and spacing and the jointing details. A substitution can void the rating, and altering a rated element generally needs a building consent, so get any change approved in writing first.

What acoustic rating do walls between units need in NZ?

Building Code clause G6 requires the Sound Transmission Class (STC) of walls, floors and ceilings common between household units to be no less than 55, and the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of floors to be no less than 55. These are performance requirements for the finished assembly.

Do I need to check for asbestos before sanding old plaster or textured ceilings?

Yes, if the building was built before 2000. The Asbestos Regulations 2016 require a competent person to determine whether asbestos is present before refurbishment, and the material should be presumed to contain asbestos if there is doubt. Do not dry-sand or scrape suspect textured coatings.

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