What's the Purpose of this guide?

Most central government staff work in office buildings. The operation of such buildings accounts for up to 40% of energy consumption in OECD countries - and that's before adding in the energy consumed for manufacturing building materials and so on.

In New Zealand, the government sector - both local and central - plays a significant role in the commercial building sector as tenant and commissioning authority.

Managers, project managers, procurement advisors, staff and others who play a part in organising and designing the office environment have important roles in helping to ensure a healthy and environmentally sound office environment.

This guide aims to offer suggestions and guidelines to help with that task.

From time to time, office arrangements need to change - organisations and units expand and contract, functions change, furnishings wear out. Typically, an office fit-out or refurbishment may involve all or some of these:

• removal and replacement of wall, ceiling and floor coverings
• rewiring
• installing new fixtures, fittings, furniture, equipment and appliances.

This guide has a number of practical suggestions and checklists to help you make sustainable decisions when undertaking this type of work.

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