Tonkin + Taylor’s dam experts and digital specialists built Damtec to help dam owners and managers better protect people, property, and the environment.
We developed the Damtec digital platform for New Zealand’s specific context, making it easier for owners to meet recommended practice and legal requirements.
The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022 require dam owners to:
- Determine if their dam is covered by the regulations – a ‘classifiable’ dam
- Assess dam failure consequences using a Potential Impact Classification (PIC) for classifiable dams
- Develop and implement a Dam Safety Assurance Programme (DSAP) for classifiable dams that are medium or high PIC
- Regularly review the PIC and DSAP
- Have a Recognised Engineer audit and certify the PIC, DSAP, and annual compliance certificates, then submit these to regional authorities
The New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines outline dam management best practice. Damtec is built to fulfil the:
- 12 elements of a Dam Safety Management System (DSMS) recommended by the Guidelines
- DSAP requirements in Clauses 10 to 19 of the Regulations
Damtec also helps you track upcoming regulatory deadlines.
What is a Dam Safety Assurance Programme (DSAP)?
A Dam Safety Assurance Programme (DSAP) is a structured framework of activities dam owners must complete for safe dam operation and management. It helps manage risk for any dam.
Dam owners may prepare their own DSAP if they have the right expertise, or they can ask a technical expert to prepare it, such as one of our dam safety experts.
Under the Building Act 2004 and Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022, DSAPs must be certified by a Recognised Engineer and submitted to the regional authority for all medium and high PIC classifiable dams.
Our frequently asked questions outline which dams are classifiable.
What is a Dam Safety Management System (DSMS)?
Like a DSAP, a DSMS is also a structured framework of activities dam owners should complete for safe dam operation and management.
A DSAP meets the minimum regulatory requirements of the Building Act 2004 and Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022, whereas a DSMS meets recommended practice covered in Module 5 of New Zealand Society on Large Dams (NZSOLD) Dam Safety Guidelines.
