Seismic risk series
About these documents
Introduction
No part of Aotearoa/New Zealand is immune to earthquakes. While some areas of the country experiences earthquakes more frequently, earthquakes can and do ultimately occur in any part of the country, just at a much lower frequency. Even though an area may experience earthquakes less frequently, this does not mean there is no seismic risk. No matter where you are, it is necessary to consider, plan for, and manage seismic risk.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's (MBIE) seismic risk resource and guidance documents provides help for people to make risk informed decisions about their buildings.
Contents
Engineering design standards and our understanding of earthquakes have advanced over time, as a result of learnings from the 2011 Canterbury and 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes. Consequently, many older buildings do not meet the current standards required of new buildings.
The MBIE seismic risk series has been created to help building users, tenants and owners understand seismic assessments of their buildings and make risk-informed decisions about continued occupancy of these buildings. It also provides tools and information for engineers and their clients to discuss seismic assessments and what these mean for building performance in an earthquake.
MBIE seismic risk series
Seismic Risk Guidance for Buildings
To help building users, tenants and owners interpret and make ongoing occupancy decisions based on the outcome of a seismic building assessment, and to provide tools and language for engineers and their clients to discuss seismic assessments.
Intended audience:
- Residential and commercial building users, owners, tenants
- Engineers
Date: 2022
Use this document: When deciding whether to continue occupying a seismically vulnerable building.
Seismic Risk Guidance for Buildings [PDF 2.7MB]
Seismic Risk Resource for Commercial Building Tenants
To help commercial building tenants on how to understand seismic risk tolerance and inform decisions about the required seismic performance of buildings they occupy or are considering leasing, based on the work each organisation does.
Intended audience: Commercial building tenants
Date: 2024
Use this document: To know whether the expected seismic performance of the building is right for the business operations of the occupier.
Seismic Risk Resource for Commercial Building Tenants [PDF 2.7MB]
Seismic Risk Resource: Introduction to Low Damage Seismic Design for Buildings
To introduce the philosophy and benefits of low damage seismic design, explain the key terms involved and what the value of a low damage seismic design approach to building design means for developers, owners, and tenants.
Intended audience: Commercial building owners, developers, tenants.
Date: Coming in 2024
Use this document: When considering undertaking a building project, or purchasing or leasing a building, that seeks to limit future earthquake damage and support faster recovery.
Feedback
Give us your feedback on the Seismic Risk Resources - wufoo.com