Fitzgerald Construction is currently delivering a project at Tuahiwi School in Canterbury, where compliance with the Ministry of Education’s Weathertightness Design Requirements (2023) was a critical consideration — particularly Clause 9.6.3, which mandates the use of BRANZ Appraised products for wall underlays in education buildings.
Initially, a traditional wall underlay was specified with the fibre cement rigid air barrier board. However, upon reviewing the specification, Ivan from Fitzgerald Construction believed there was a more efficient option that would still meet all Ministry of Education requirements. “As soon as I saw it on the plans, I wanted to change the underlay,” Ivan said. “You can’t use staples with RAB™ boards, and a traditional wrap needs two people for installation. I called our local building merchant, and they recommended Kingspan Thermakraft’s RAINARMOR Self-Adhesive — and it was the perfect solution.”
Meets MoE Requirements with BRANZ Appraisal
RAINARMOR Self-Adhesive is BRANZ Appraised (Appraisal No. 1277), aligning it with Clause 9.6.3 of the Ministry of Education’s weathertightness guidelines. This made it an appropriate and compliant choice for use on the Tuahiwi School project, providing assurance to the builder, school, and Ministry representatives.
Faster, One-Person Application
RAINARMOR Self-Adhesive is a high-performance, synthetic flexible wall and roof underlay that adheres directly to rigid substrates without the need for mechanical fixings or tapes. The peel-and-stick design makes it ideal for projects with tight timelines or limited labour resources.
“RAINARMOR made the install much quicker, and only one person was needed,” Ivan said. “The release film is the best part — line it up, peel, unroll. It couldn’t be easier.”
Built for RAB Systems and Tested for Compatibility
RAINARMOR has been rigorously tested on New Zealand’s leading rigid air barrier systems, including:
•James Hardie RAB Board
•Kingspan Kooltherm K12 Framing Board
•ECOPLY® Barrier
•GIB Weatherline®
Ready for Extreme Wind Zones and Project Delays
RAINARMOR is suitable for use in Wind Zones up to and including Extra High when installed over a RAB (Rigid Air Barrier) board. It complies with NZS 3604:2011 and E2/AS1, making it a robust solution for demanding school environments. RAINARMOR also has a UV exposure time of 120 days, offering builders and developers the added assurance if projects are delayed.
Conclusion: A Product that Meets Performance and Policy
“With the Kingspan Thermakraft name behind it and BRANZ Appraisal to satisfy MoE requirements, we had total confidence in using RAINARMOR,” Ivan said. “It’s not just faster and easier — it’s fully compliant and made for this kind of project.”
Project Summary Product: Kingspan Thermakraft RAINARMOR Self-Adhesive
Project: Tuahiwi School, Canterbury
Builder: Fitzgerald Construction
Rigid Air Barrier: James Hardie RAB
Cladding System: Fibre Cement over Cavity
Wind Zone: Extra High
UV Exposure Time: 120 Days
Compliance Reference: Clause 9.6.3, MoE Weathertightness Design Requirements (2023)
Additional Questions: Contact your local Kingspan Thermakraft representative, or contact our New Zealand based Technical Team, 0800 806 595 or technical@kingspaninsulation.co.nz
