EARTHQUAKEPROOFING

Five step decisions

When council buildings close, communities lose access to spaces to meet, socialise and access services, which can impact social and economic wellbeing.

Five years on from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, a new decision-making framework is being launched to help councils navigate their legal obligations around managing earthquake-prone council buildings.

The introduction of the Building (Earthquakeprone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016, alongside the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015, led some territorial authorities to rapidly close council buildings that were below 34 percent of the new building standard (NBS). This was despite there being no explicit legal requirement to suspend occupancy.

The research that underpins the decision framework was undertaken after establishing di erences in territorial authorities’ understanding of legislation relevant to earthquake-prone council buildings. The new framework addresses the fact that some territorial authorities lack a formal documented process for making public policy decisions about earthquake-prone council buildings.

The BRANZ-led project was a collaboration with Resilient Organisations, Kestrel Group, the University of Canterbury’s Institute of Law, Emergencies and Disaster (LEAD), and Massey University’s Joint Centre for Disaster Research. Several councils were involved in co-designing the framework by sharing information about who made the decisions, what the key drivers were and how engineering risk information was interpreted, evaluated, and acted upon.

BRANZ social scientist and project lead Michael Nuth says the framework helps weigh-up all the risks and benefi ts associated with whether to close a council building.

“The framework gives consideration to factors such as the number of building occupants, the average time spent in the building, and the duration the building will be occupied while earthquakeprone. In addition, it brings in the social and economic consequences of closure.

“It’s been a highly collaborative project with expertise coming from a range of project partners, as well as several councils. We really hope all councils will fi nd the framework useful in their decision making,” says Mr Nuth.

The framework consists of fi ve steps that generally align with the international standard for risk management (IS0 31000), stepping users through the risk identifi cation, assessment and treatment phases of risk management. It can be downloaded at the BRANZ website: www.branz.co.nz

A solution for every window

The highly experienced team at Venluree pride themselves on providing you with professional service and more than 50 years of knowledge, backed by quality products and affordable prices. Wherever you are in Christchurch, or indeed New Zealand, Venluree has exactly the right window covering for your needs.

03 365 4666 | Showroom: 99 Sawyers Arms Road, Papanui

Perfection in plumbing

Leaders in domestic and commercial plumbing and drainage solutions. We specialise in bathroom renovations, new housing, drain inspections, hot water cylinders and gas conversions. Make sure you think Maxwell when you think plumbing.

www.maxwellplumbing.co.nz 03 366 4403 | admin@maxwellplumbing.co.nz

Unique joinery for extraordinary homes

Alsop Joinery has been designing and manufacturing bespoke joinery for over 35 years. While specialising in producing high quality custom made kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, they also specialise in creating one of a kind, architecturally-designed timber joinery; unique, yet highly functional to suit your project, including stairs, windows, handrails, doors & cabinetry. Give Alsop Joinery a call today and let the highly experienced team work with you to achieve your dream joinery.

Ph: 03 348 4666 www.alsopjoinery.co.nz

Architectural Meet, Greet & Eat

If you’re building or renovating, ArchiPro’s “Meet, Greet & Eat” is a must attend event, with the inaugural South Island event being held in Christchurch on Friday 4 March.

Now in its sixth edition, ArchiPro’s “Meet, Greet & Eat” is a national event that shines a light on the state of the architecture and building industry. Underscoring its strong links with quality design is a deep-rooted commitment to only showcasing trusted products and professionals.

An exhibition devoted to cuttingedge design products and creative concepts, it was launched in 2016 as a vehicle to seamlessly connect aspiring home builders or renovators with trusted products and professionals, ensuring a national benchmark for those embarking on a building journey. More than 1200 homeowners and professionals attend the evening each year, but spaces are limited and attendance registration is essential.

“If you’re building or renovating, the Meet, Greet & Eat is coming to the South Island for the fi rst time and is an unmissable opportunity to have New Zealand’s design community at your fi ngertips,” says ArchiPro Founder and CEO Milot Zeqiri. “From brands and retailers, to builders, interior designers and architects shaping New Zealand’s most iconic buildings, this is your chance to connect.”

This event is designed specifi cally for homeowners to attend with the intention of fi nding an architect, builder or interior designer and to meet specialist product suppliers with a profi le on ArchiPro.

Event details:

Date: Friday 4 March 2022, 5pm to 9pm Venue: Te Pae, 188 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch

To register visit the website archipro.co.nz/meet-greet-eat-2022