Quake upgrade for police station
Work to strengthen Palmerston North’s central police station will begin this year after it was found to be one of several city buildings with potential weaknesses should an earthquake strike.
A detailed draft of the station’s seismic shortfalls presented to police on January 28 has pressed officials to start the upgrade.
The seismic performance of the station was lessened by a single connection between the original Church St structure, built in 1971, and a three-storey addition built in 2004.
Assessors found the weakness in the station to be where the diaphragm and shear wall connected between the two structures.
That weakness affected the seismic performance of the station, a police spokeswoman said.
The planned work is timely after Monday’s 5.8-magnitude earthquake centred 30 kilometres northwest of Levin and yesterday’s 5.2 quake near the same spot.
The station addition was up to standard under the 2004 building code and consented by the Palmerston North City Council.
‘‘What is now viewed as a potential weakness in the original building was an acceptable design solution in 2004, when the design of the strengthening and extension of the original building was carried out,’’ the police spokeswoman said.
‘‘The work was undertaken in accordance with the then current design practice and to the building codes in force at that time,’’ she said.
Designed by Kevin O’connor and Associates, the building is one of at least eight city structures that had potential deficiencies, according to a report prepared by engineering firm Beca’s technical director Steve Kemp in January last year.
Following the assessment, police have been working on plans to strengthen the design of the building, expecting work to begin later in the year.
Further assessments of major police buildings throughout New Zealand will take place from July.
This is expected to be completed in the next three years, prioritising assessments by potential risk.
"We want our people to be safe and feel safe, and this includes while they are at work.
‘‘So we intend to have a plan for the work in July and to start the remedial work later in the year, as soon as approvals, permits and procurement processes allow,’’ the police spokeswoman said.
‘‘We want our people to be safe and feel safe.’’ Police spokeswoman