8 April 2014

More buildings added to Earthquake Prone Building list

More privately owned buildings have been added to the Earthquake Prone Building List.

Nearly two years has passed since the Palmerston North City Council released its initial list of Earthquake Prone Buildings. At the time a further 400 other buildings were prioritised for assessment based on high public use and emergency services buildings – This process is expected to take up to four years to complete.

Peter Eathorne, General Manager Customer Services, says the list comprises mostly of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in the city centre and the buildings listed are below 33 per cent of what is required for new buildings. The Building Act 2004 defines buildings below 33 per cent of code as earthquake-prone and having greater risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake.

Buildings are added to the list after an initial conservative assessment has been carried out by a consulting engineer on behalf of the Council. It is updated every few months as more buildings in the city are assessed.

Recent additions include:

• Princeway Panel Beaters, 122 Princess Street

• Central Rentals in 96 Princess Street

• Bed Barn, 5-7 Grey Street

• Office building, 52-60 Grey Street

• Norfolk Chambers, 16-18 Grey Street

Peter Eathorne says the owners of the buildings on the list now need to carry out their own structural integrity assessment or start planning for a strengthening programme. Since the original list was compiled several owners have provided structural engineering reports showing their buildings comply, others have carried out work to ensure their buildings meet the code and these buildings have been removed from the list.

The full list can be found at: http://bit.ly/1suh4MG.

ENDS

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