What is PS3 and why do you need it?

If you’re renovating a bathroom, laundry, or any other wet area in New Zealand, there’s a good chance your council will ask for a PS3. Here’s exactly what that means – and why getting it right matters.

Most homeowners encounter the term “PS3” for the first time mid-renovation, often when a council inspector or project manager mentions it almost in passing. But this document is far from a formality. A PS3 Producer Statement is the legal record that your waterproofing was done correctly – and without it, your Code Compliance Certificate can be delayed or denied. For a plain-language overview of how producer statements work in New Zealand, Building Networks NZ offers a helpful explainer covering council obligations and CCC implications.

1. What is a PS3 – The Producer Statement Explained

A PS3 (Producer Statement – Construction) is a formal document signed by a qualified and certified tradesperson confirming that a specific part of the building work has been completed in accordance with the required New Zealand Building Code standards and the approved building consent documents.

In the context of tiling and wet area work, a PS3 specifically confirms that the waterproofing membrane system has been selected, installed, and cured correctly – using approved materials, the right primers, tapes, and application processes, in the correct sequence.

2. When You Need One – Projects That Require a PS3

A PS3 is typically requested by the council when building consent has been issued for work involving waterproofing. The most common scenarios in residential renovations include:

• Bathroom renovations – any work involving tiled showers, wet floors, or bath surrounds where a waterproof membrane must be installed beneath the tiles.
• Laundry rooms – floor and wall waterproofing in laundry areas, particularly where plumbing penetrations pass through the substrate.
• En-suites and powder rooms – even smaller wet spaces require compliant waterproofing and the associated documentation if a consent has been issued.
• Outdoor wet areas and balconies – waterproofing on decks, balconies, and external wet areas falls under clause E2 External Moisture and also requires a PS3 once the membrane is flooded or electrically tested.
• Swimming pools and tanking – below-ground waterproofing and tanking work has its own PS3 variant (AC2313) and requires certified applicators.
• Commercial kitchens and wet areas – commercial environments with tiled wet zones routinely require PS3 documentation as part of the consent process.

3. The Building Code – What a PS3 Actually Certifies

A waterproofing PS3 specifically confirms compliance with two key clauses of the New Zealand Building Code:

B2 – Durability

Clause B2 requires that building materials and systems last for a defined period without significant deterioration. For internal wet areas, the waterproofing membrane must be durable enough to perform for the life of the building – which means the right product must be selected for the specific substrate and conditions, and installed as the manufacturer specifies.

E3 – Internal Moisture

Clause E3 is the central requirement for all wet area waterproofing. It requires that internal surfaces in wet areas be impervious, easy to clean, and properly protected against moisture penetration into the building structure. A PS3 confirms that the membrane, its primers, flashings, tapes, and sealants have all been applied correctly to meet E3 – and that the installation has been flood-tested as required. The full requirements are documented in the MBIE E3 Internal Moisture guidance.

4. What Goes Into a PS3 – The Detail Behind the Document

A PS3 is not a generic sign-off. It records the specific details of the waterproofing system installed, including:

• Membrane system used – the brand, product name, and specification of the waterproofing membrane applied (e.g., Ardex, Mapei, or another council-accepted brand).
• Primers applied – which primer was used, how many coats, and the drying times observed between coats.
• Reinforcement tapes and flashings – confirmation that all corners, junctions, and penetrations were correctly reinforced with the manufacturer-specified tape or fabric.
• Number of membrane coats – the sequence and number of membrane coats applied, with confirmation that minimum wet film thickness was achieved.
• Curing times observed – that required curing periods between coats and before tiling were respected.
• Flood test results – for tiled internal showers and wet floors, confirmation that the completed membrane was flood-tested and held water without leakage for the required duration.
• Compliance with consent documents – that all work was carried out in accordance with the approved building consent plans and specifications.

Common waterproofing systems accepted by New Zealand councils include products from Ardex and Mapei. Critically, the person installing the membrane must be trained and certified by the manufacturer of the specific system they are using – a general tiling qualification alone is not sufficient to issue a PS3.

5. Choosing the Right Tradesperson – What to Look For

Not every tiler is qualified to issue a PS3. When commissioning wet area work that requires a building consent, it’s essential to confirm your tradesperson meets all the necessary criteria before work begins.

Dakom Tiling is a PS3-registered author with the Auckland Council, holds manufacturer certifications in industry-leading waterproofing systems, and is a registered member of TANZ. Our team can carry out the waterproofing and issue the PS3 documentation needed to keep your project on track for Code Compliance.

6. The Process – From Consent to Code Compliance Certificate

Understanding how a PS3 fits into the broader consent process helps you plan your renovation more effectively and avoid unexpected delays.