BUILDING CODE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1939, Page 6

BUILDING CODE

EARLY ISSUE OF BYLAWS EXPECTED RESISTANCE TO EARTHQUAKES. MOVE FOR TIGHTENING UP REGULATIONS. Designed to ensure safer types of building, particularly against earthquake risk, the major portion of the new National Building Code draft model by-laws are expected to be issued early in the new year. For many months, experts working under the Standards Institute of New Zealand have been compiling these model regulations, which, it is considered, are bound to have an important effect in tightening up the building regulations of all major local authorities. There has been a long delay in completing the preparation of this new code, which will replace the original model by-laws issued in December. 1935, by the New Zealand Standards Institute before it was taken over by the Government. But this delay was caused principally by the research activities of those engaged in compiling the new set, a work which involved an enormous amount of detailed study. The new by-laws embody all the latest results of research here and overseas into earthquake resistance construction and other important relevant details, including protection from fire and gales. The portions of the new code which are to be issued run from Parts 1 to 6, these being the most vital of the set. The original model was issued for the guidance of local authorities, and while there was nothing compelling those authorities to adhere to the hew conditions of building construction, they became the standard for all majoi 1 centres, where new buildings were being dealt'with. The new code, it is stated, will contain considerable changes on the original model by-laws, based on further discussions not only with architects and builders, but also with many experts in other relevant avenues.

So far there is no official indication of the intentions of the Government over the code, although in some interested quarters it is believed that action will be taken to enforce the code by legislation, and so make it compulsory for all builders to adhere to the new provisions. It is considered that the Government’s interest in the preparation of the new. code, through the State-controlled Standards Institute, indicated evidence of this intention. Official recognition of the value of the new code as a precautionary measure against the menace of earthquakes was given by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, when speaking at Westport soon after the revision was proposed. The provision of a building code was one way of minimising danger by making structures better able to resist the effects of earthquakes, he said. “Using the tentative code which has been prepared, investigations have been made to prove its efficacy, and on the basis of those investigations simplifications have been made. Soon we hope to be able to issue a revised code.” He indicated that enforcement of the code might be of more value in the long run than big expenditure on research. There is also a great deal of interest being taken in the city by architects and builders over the likeli hood of the Government taking some action, to enforce improvement of existing buildings. The new code (and the original one) applied only to new' buildings. Of course, a great many have been built along lines laid down in the code, but a great many old buildings are not in conformity with the earthquake-resisting standards now being aimed at. One authority points to the action of the Government in strengthening and improving, its own buildings in Wellington as an indication that ultimately general improvement in all existing buildings will be compelled.