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Earthquake Prone Buildings – Building Components

Understand the crucial role of seismic bracing for building components to ensure safety during earthquakes, as per New Zealand regulations and case studies of Christchurch and Seddon earthquakes.

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Earthquake Prone Buildings – Building Components

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  1. Earthquake Prone Buildings – Building Components Presented by: Alistair Knowles, KCL Engineering Services Ltd Date: 6th September 2016 Email: alistair@kclengineering.co

  2. What are Building Components According to WorkSafe New Zealand “Building components are things attached to buildings” Building components make up approximately 1/3rd cost of a completed building

  3. What are Building Components All non structural elements within a building including; Water storage heaters Flues and stacks Electrical switchboards Suspended ceilings Equipment supported by ceilings Independently suspended ceiling components Pipework Ducting Non-essential electrical Luminaries (lights) Automatic fire sprinkler systems Bulkheads Walls and partitions

  4. Christchurch Earthquake 2011 According to the AWCI (Association of Wall & Ceiling Industries of NZ) More than 50% of the cost incurred in the Christchurch earthquake was associated with non- structural elements (building components) The cost of repairing non structural failures resulted in otherwise replaceable buildings being demolished Cost of the Christchurch earthquake is approximately $40 BILLION dollars

  5. Seismic Bracing of Building Components Required by New Zealand Building Act (i.e. it is required by law) Required as part of Health and Safety and WorkSafe to ensure a safe working environment Specified in New Zealand engineering design codes Required to prevent potential loss of life or injury in the event of an earthquake Ensure egress routes are maintained in the event of an earthquake

  6. Status Quo Majority of existing building will have unbraced and poorly constructed building components A significant number of new buildings have unbraced building components NZ Codes requirements ignored by specifiers and installers Seismic bracing not installed Separation between components ignored Installation work not monitored, or certified

  7. What Happens if Seismic Bracing is Not Installed Failure of architectural elements and services in an earthquake Passive fire protection being damaged under serviceability loading Possible loss of life or injury due to falling components Possible fire due to sprinkler, passive fire and emergency systems not working Inability to evacuate the building due to debris blocking egress paths Huge cost for retrofit (BNZ Tower $10M to install bracing for ceiling and services)

  8. Seddon Earthquake – August 2013

  9. BNZ Office Building, Wellington 2013

  10. Summary Seismic bracing required by the NZ Building Code WorkSafe Building components required to be braced for; All new building Fit out works Part of building seismic strengthening NZ Codes requirements ignored by specifiers and installers Little or no regulatory oversight Installation work not monitored, or certified Building owners and occupiers not carrying out obligations under WorkSafe

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