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Building Act 2004

Building - Special provisions for earthquake-prone buildings - Application and interpretation

133AB: Meaning of earthquake-prone building

You could also call this:

“A building that could collapse and hurt people or damage property during a moderate earthquake”

You might be wondering what an earthquake-prone building is. It’s a building or part of a building that could be dangerous during an earthquake. Here’s what you need to know:

A building is considered earthquake-prone if it meets two conditions. First, it would be pushed beyond its limits in a moderate earthquake. Second, if it were to fall down, it could hurt or kill people nearby or damage other property.

The local council, called a territorial authority, decides if a building is earthquake-prone. They look at things like how the building was built, what condition it’s in, and what kind of ground it’s on. If you want to know more about how they make this decision, you can check section 133AK.

Some words used here, like “ultimate capacity” and “moderate earthquake”, have special meanings. These meanings are explained in separate rules called regulations.

Remember, keeping buildings safe from earthquakes is important to protect people and property in New Zealand.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=DLM7333573.

Topics:
Housing and property > Home safety and repairs
Environment and resources > Town planning
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133AA: Buildings to which this subpart applies, or

“This part of the law tells you which buildings have special rules for earthquakes, and which ones don't.”

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133AC: Meaning of earthquake rating, or

“This explains how strong a building is during earthquakes compared to new buildings”

Part 2 Building
Special provisions for earthquake-prone buildings: Application and interpretation

133ABMeaning of earthquake-prone building

  1. A building or a part of a building is earthquake prone if, having regard to the condition of the building or part and to the ground on which the building is built, and because of the construction of the building or part,—

  2. the building or part will have its ultimate capacity exceeded in a moderate earthquake; and
    1. if the building or part were to collapse, the collapse would be likely to cause—
      1. injury or death to persons in or near the building or on any other property; or
        1. damage to any other property.

        2. Whether a building or a part of a building is earthquake prone is determined by the territorial authority in whose district the building is situated: see section 133AK.

        3. For the purpose of subsection (1)(a), ultimate capacity and moderate earthquake have the meanings given to them by regulations.

        Compare
        • s 66
        Notes
        • Section 133AB: inserted, on , by section 24 of the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 22).