Definition
Healthy Homes Draught Stopping Standard The Healthy Homes Draught Stopping Standard requires all unintentional gaps, openings, or holes in the building envelope that allow air leakage to be sealed where the gap exceeds 3mm in width. This includes gaps around windows, doors, skirting boards, plumbing penetrations, and electrical outlets on exterior walls. ALLWISE auto-detects gaps from EXIF-tagged photos and flags any > 3mm.
Compliance threshold
All gaps > 3mm must be sealed
How to comply — step by step
- 1
Inspect the building envelope
Walk through the property and identify all gaps, openings, or holes in walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and doors. Common sites: window frames, door frames, skirting boards, plumbing penetrations, electrical outlets on exterior walls.
- 2
Measure each gap
Use a ruler or gauge to measure the width of each gap. Any gap wider than 3mm must be sealed.
- 3
Apply appropriate sealant
Use weatherstripping for doors/windows, caulk for static gaps, expanding foam for larger penetrations, and backer rod + sealant for wider gaps. Per NZS 4246:2016 installation methods.
- 4
Re-verify after sealing
Re-measure each sealed gap to confirm it's now ≤ 3mm. Document the after state with photos.
- 5
Document for evidence pack
Take before/after photos of every gap with a ruler visible in frame. ALLWISE EXIF-tags each photo with the gap measurement.
Common draught stopping failures
- Gaps around old window frames not sealed
- Plumbing penetrations in exterior walls left open
- Skirting board gaps wider than 3mm
- Cat flaps and similar intentional openings not assessed
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an unintentional gap?
Do I need to seal gaps even in summer?
Skip the manual calculation
Need an assessment for this standard?
Book a certified inspection.
ALLWISE auto-fills the draught stopping check into every statutory pack based on the property address, room dimensions, and BRANZ climate zone. Court-defensible evidence in 11 minutes.