Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Building Act 2004

Building - Safety of dams - Dangerous dams

153: Meaning of dangerous dam

You could also call this:

“A dangerous dam is a high or medium impact dam that might break during normal times, a not-too-big earthquake, or a not-too-big flood.”

A dam is considered dangerous under this law if it meets two conditions. First, it must be classified as either a high potential impact dam or a medium potential impact dam. Second, it must be likely to fail in one of three situations:

  1. During normal, everyday conditions
  2. If there’s a moderate earthquake (as defined in the rules)
  3. If there’s a moderate flood (as defined in the rules)

If a dam meets both of these conditions, it’s considered dangerous according to this law. This helps you understand when a dam might be unsafe and need special attention.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM307337.

Topics:
Housing and property > Home safety and repairs
Environment and resources > Conservation
Previous

152: Information to be provided to chief executive, or

“You need to give the boss important details about dams as the rules say”

Next

153A: Meaning of earthquake-prone dam and flood-prone dam, or

“Explains how dams are classified as risky in big earthquakes or floods based on their size and chance of breaking”

Part 2 Building
Safety of dams: Dangerous dams

153Meaning of dangerous dam

  1. A dam is dangerous for the purposes of this Act if the dam—

  2. is a high potential impact dam or a medium potential impact dam; and
    1. is likely to fail—
      1. in the ordinary course of events; or
        1. in a moderate earthquake (as defined in the regulations); or
          1. in a moderate flood (as defined in the regulations).

            Notes
            • Section 153(b): replaced, on , by section 31(1) of the Building Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 4).
            • Section 153(c): repealed, on , by section 31(2) of the Building Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 4).