BUILDING CODE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 5

BUILDING CODE

ENFORCEMENT TO REDUCE EARTHQUAKE RISK Wellington, This Day. “It looks as if the mandatory applications of the standard building code throughout the Dominion offers the only adequate means of affording protection against loss of life and property resulting from earthquakes of the kind recently experienced,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, yesterday when emphasising the importance of learning the lessons of the two receii£ big earthquakes as they affected building construction. He hinted at greater legislative authority being necessary to ensure effective enforcement of the standard building code. Expert examination had shown, continued, Mr Sullivan, that buildings erected according to the latest knowledge of earthquake-resistant construction had withstood the shock without failure. After the Napier earthquake the New Zealand Standards Institute prepared a standard model building bylaw, which laid down strict rules and structural requirements for reinforced concrete, steel frames, and masonry construction. During recent years the original model by-law had been in course of revision and 'extension by the Standards Institute. Six parts of the revised code had been published and it was hoped that a further six parts would be issued within the next two months. “Additional legislative authority may be necessary to secure effective enforcement of the standard code. Many of the smaller local authorities, for example are not in a position to employ engineers and building inspectors, while counties and town districts possess no statutory power to call for earthquake-resistant building construction.”—P.A.