Building Controls Update: No.100 - Guidelines for post-disaster building safety evaluation released

21 August 2009: Guidelines entitled ‘Building Safety Guidelines during a State of Emergency’ have been published by the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) with support from the Department of Building and Housing and the Ministry for Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

The Department strongly encourages local authorities to use the new guidelines when assessing the damage to buildings after major earthquakes or other disaster events. The guidelines will assist Building Control managers prepare for, implement and manage building structural safety evaluation activities. They will also be invaluable for engineers and others assisting with the process in the field.

The Department commends the NZSEE for showing continued leadership in working to reduce the impact of earthquakes on our communities.

The guidelines provide a simple traffic light placard system enabling a rapid evaluation of building safety following a disaster:

• RED – Unsafe: Do not enter.
  
• YELLOW – Restricted use: Safety concerns. Enter at own risk and only for short periods of time.
  
• GREEN – Inspected: Appears sound. No restrictions on use or entry.

The professionally-developed tool is based on international engineering best practice and adapted for New Zealand conditions.

It is aimed at protecting the public and building occupants from danger and allowing an early return to economic activity.

Guidelines for post-disaster building safety evaluation is available online.

It is also on the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering website.