Earthquake Precautions

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23915, 6 April 1943, Page 4

Earthquake Precautions

Yesterday we printed a report from the New Zealand Institute of Architects again directing the attention of the Government and the public to the risks involved in the existence of many buildings which do not conform to earthquakeresisting designs. The institute performs a public service in suggesting how the problem may be investigated and solved; but it seems unfortunate that it has not related its proposals more specifically to investigations already made and to the model building code formulated by the Standards Institute,' nor more definitely urged the enforcement of the code. Its suggestions would reopen an investigation which has already been exhaustive. It may thereby delay the reforms which it seeks to bring about, and which are as urgently necessary today, the war notwithstanding, as they ever were. It seems, therefore, that the institute will be doing a greater service if it seeks first to have the code made compulsory; to improve it in the light of experience, and on that basis to evolve schemes for the survey and reconstruction of existing buildings. The institute’s suggestions for defining the extent of danger zones, for a survey of the buildings within the zones, for the classification of buildings according to the urgency of their need for reconstruction, and for a rebuilding scheme based on the soundest town planning, engineering, and architectural principles are all useful. That the schemes should form part of post-war national rehabilitation is also desirable; but the problem is not one that the Government should be encouraged to shelve until after the war. That is the danger of this particular suggestion. The first need is to stimulate the Government to act with courage and resolution by insisting that building regulations already approved must be enforced throughout the country and not merely recommended to local bodies for adoption as bylaws. The Napier earthquake, which led to the promulgation of the building code, had faded from memory. The more recent serious earthquakes in the Wairarapa and Wellington districts have revived it. They prompted the Government to one step forward when it ordered in August last that no building shall be erected or re-erected in the 17 boroughs in the zone of the first earthquake without a special permit, conforming to “ accepted prin- “ ciples of design and construction

“to resist earthquake shocks.” It will take a more decisive one when it insists on applying the same principles compulsorily to all localities, with first preference to those most likely to be affected. The formation of the technical committee suggested by the Institute of Architects is a necessary move towards this end.