Discussion document looks at buildings’ earthquake and wind resistance

18 December 2006: The Department of Building and Housing has released a discussion document proposing new structural design rules, including revised wind and earthquake resistance standards that new buildings should meet.

“The proposals are about updating the loads that that our buildings and houses are capable of withstanding,” the Department’s General Manager Building Controls, John Kay, said.

“There have been tremendous advances in our knowledge around the impact of wind, snow, ice and earthquakes on buildings in recent years, and it is a matter of bringing that to bear on the design and structural standards we expect to be met,” Mr Kay said.

The proposal would replace the 1992 Loadings Standard NZS4203 from September next year, and would align with international best practice, he said.

The new Standards also revise the design levels for snow loadings.

In terms of earthquakes, the proposal assigns higher seismic design loads to important buildings – such as hospitals and fire stations – that would be expected to continue functioning after a major earthquake.

“This is very much about refining and honing what we expect of our buildings, and working off the best data and knowledge available to us today,” Mr Kay said.

Submissions on the document, Compliance Document for NZ Building Code Clause B1 Structure, close on 16 March, 2007. Copies of the document can be obtained from the Department’s website at www.dbh.govt.nz.

The document is among a suite of reforms of the building and construction sector, including the review of the Building Code, the licensing of building practitioners while protecting the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tradition, auditing and accrediting Building Consent Authorities, and Parliament last week passing the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Bill 2006.

Ends.

For more information contact Mark Stewart on 04 471 1738 or mark.stewart@dbh.govt.nz