FIND OUT IF YOUR BUILDING EARTHQUAKE-PRONE

From July 2017, property-owners had to act if local authorities considered a building earthquake-prone. A building is earthquake-prone if it has a seismic capacity of less than 34 %NBS (%New Building Standard). As a building-owner, you need to show if your building can withstand an earthquake. You must provide an engineering assessment within 12 months and carry out seismic work on the building so that it is no longer earthquake-prone.

What is an ISA?

An ISA is an Initial Seismic Assessment (also known as IEP). It provides a broad indication of the likely level of seismic performance of a building. It compares a building’s percentage of structural earthquake strength relative to the New Building Standard. However, it is engineering guesswork with no science behind it. It is essentially a visual inspection or a drawing review.

“It is essential that an ISA be carried out, or supervised by, NZ Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) or equivalent, who have sufficient relevant experience in the design and evaluation of buildings for earthquake effects to exercise the degree of judgement required and who have had specific training in the Initial Evaluation Procedure.” – Guidance for Territorial Authorities and Property Owners on Initial Seismic Assessments, MBIE.

As a mark of quality, our company is ACENZ-registered, and all of our engineers are a member of Engineering New Zealand. We are well trained and highly experienced in Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) of a variety of existing buildings using the Initial Evaluation Procedure (IEP) in accordance with the MBIE Guidelines - The Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings.

Our ISA/IEP report includes the following:

• Executive summary

• Detailed description of building including gravity and lateral load resisting systems

• Building record information such as selected drawings

• IEP assessment assumptions and factors

• Overall building ratings (%NBS)

• Structural weaknesses

• Conclusions

• Recommendations

• Appendix - IEP calculation sheets

What is a DSA?

An Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) is often followed by a more comprehensive Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA). It is a more detailed quantitative appraisal than the Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) that aims to establish the seismic performance of a building. Unlike an Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA), Tino Seismic’s Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) is based on science. It includes a detailed computer earthquake simulation model and analysis of a building based on mathematics, physics and available test data to quantify the %NBS ratings of individual structural elements (e.g., beams, columns, walls, floors, parapets, foundations). It enables us to determine exactly when, where and how structural elements fail during an earthquake.

We can use a variety of structural modelling techniques, analysis procedures and commercial software in conjunction with site investigation and structural testing to accurately determine structural weaknesses and the %NBS rating of your building.

A Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) generally includes:

• Executive summary

• Technical summary

• Detailed building investigations including desktop study and on-site investigation

• Seismic Assessment methodology

• Overall %NBS rating of building

• %NBS ratings of critical structural members

• Seismic retrofit recommendations to achieve desired overall %NBS rating

• Conclusions

• Appendix - Detailed assessment calculations

Concept and Detailed design of Seismic Retrofits

To upgrade the %NBS rating, we'll think outside the box and use the latest research and tools to develop an innovative and cost-effective solution to retrofit your building while preserving any protected heritage features, so you meet the required standard. If possible, we’ll see if the work can be done while your building occupied for minimum disruption of tenants.

Our concept seismic retrofit design includes sufficient details for a quantity surveyor to price up the proposed works. Based on your approval, we can then develop the design to a level where a Building Consent application can be made with your local council. Our detailed design deliverables generally include the following:

• Design Features Report (DFR)

• Structural drawings

• Structural calculations

• Structural specifications

• Support letters

• Producer Statement - PS1 - Design

Construction monitoring

During construction, we can provide a construction monitoring service at various levels depending upon a number of factors such as the size and complexity of your project. We can monitor the construction of our own seismic design or the design by others to ensure quality and consistency. At the end of this process, we'll prepare and issue a detailed construction monitoring report and Producer Statement - PS4 - Construction Review upon satisfaction for a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) application.