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Council Committed to Public Safety
February 02, 2012
Following engineering inspections funded by the Waimakariri District Council, approximately 30 buildings in the District have been identified as “earthquake-prone” as they are less than 33 percent of the new building standards as required by the Building Code.
The Building Act (2004) defines an earthquake-prone building as one that is at risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake.
The Council’s Earthquake Prone Building Policy, which was revised last year following consultation, seeks to reduce the level of risk to the public over time and targets the most vulnerable buildings in an area.
Under this policy the Council has, with the support of building owners, undertaken engineering assessments to understand the structural elements of local buildings. Council’s Manager of Planning and Regulation, Nick Harrison says the motivation behind the building assessments is public safety, both in and around the building.
“Following these initial assessments, a report is put together about the structural state of the building. If it is less than 33 percent of the Building Code, the Council meets with the owner to discuss the situation and options for action. At any time the building owner can also have their own engineering review undertaken at their own expense.
“The building owner is then asked to have a more detailed engineering assessment undertaken within a two year timeframe. The revision of our Earthquake Prone Building Policy saw this response time reduced from five years to two as the work was seen to be urgent, yet a balance was needed with the availability of engineers. We have heard that some are experiencing a six to eight month delay in getting a structural engineer.”
Building owners then have a period of 10 to 20 years to bring the building up to code.
The Resource Management and Regulation Committee approved a recommendation last week for voluntary placarding on earthquake-prone buildings.
Harrison adds that there needs to be a clear understanding of the difference between earthquake-prone buildings and the closure of Robbie’s Bar and Bistro due to immediate safety concerns. “Robbie’s has been assessed by structural engineers as a dangerous building. “
The Building Act defines a dangerous building as a building that, in the ordinary course of events, is likely to cause injury or death (whether by collapse or otherwise) to any persons, or damage to other property.
“That may mean the building is closed for a period of time while the work is undertaken. Once the point of danger is fixed then any earthquake strengthening required would be done in accordance with our policy and may take place over a longer period.”
Chief Executive Jim Palmer says the Council will be working closely with the local business associations. “We have talked about the need to work with both Our Town Rangiora and the Kaiapoi Promotions Association in association with Enterprise North Canterbury.
“We are looking to arrange a meeting with each of these associations to outline the Council’s approach, what it means for building owners, and how to minimise any impact on retail activity in our towns.”
Council says there are buildings outside the two main centres of Rangiora and Kaiapoi that will be subject to engineering assessments over the coming months.