A Safety approach to Earthquake Prone Buildings

Initial Seismic Assessment (ISA) and Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) may give a result that measures a structure as an Earthquake Prone Building (EPB) as rated through its NBS score. An Earthquake Prone Building is less than 34% compliance with the New Building Standard (NBS)

One approach is to prioritise, and target identified elements of the building that can negatively affect life safety of people in, or near, the building.

This enables a seismic programme to deliver the best safety outcomes from a limited budget. Or manage investment on a building with a limited life span.

This method can maximise income from the asset, retaining or attracting tenants, while managing the costs of remediation.

A DSA (or ISA) will combine all hazards. gridline^NZ can analyse these to isolate and prioritise life safety. As a result, a set of options with designs and costings can be developed.

This is a good first step and pragmatic approach to safety in the development of seismic building upgrade programmes.

This approach also enables your facility to be in continued use despite being an earthquake prone building

Contact gridline^NZ to see how we can help achieve your goals.