Library building is earthquake prone but will stay open

The Central Library building has been identified as an earthquake-prone building but is not deemed dangerous or have to close.

Visitors to the earthquake-prone building (EPB) will see notices placed at the main entrances of the building, including tenancies.

The notices carry the earthquake rating for the building and the date that either strengthening or demolition work must be completed. Council has 7.5 to 15 years to complete remedial works.

The detailed seismic assessment results for the library were carried out under new legislation which came into effect in July 2017.

Under the new building standard the library has a rating of 20-25 per cent of the new building standard.

Council chief executive Heather Shotter said that despite the building being considered earthquake-prone, like many public buildings throughout the country, it will remain open to maintain continuity of services.

“Our library is the most popular council service we offer and in the meantime we are focused on ensuring continuation of the library’s important services.”

Council is to strengthen nonstructural elements like ductwork, lights and ceilings, install structural monitoring equipment, limit attendances at library events to 150 people, and increase the frequency of evacuation drills to assist with rapid evacuation of the building in an emergency.

As previously planned, staff located on the third floor of the building will be relocated, which will ease demand on exit routes.

Heather said nothing has changed with the existing structural integrity of the building.

“After recent earthquakes there has been no obvious settlement or movement observed. The building has a code of compliance certificate, a current building warrant of fitness, and geotechnical assessments show it sits on good ground consisting of dense gravels overlying bedrock with a low risk of liquefaction.

“Geotechnical assessments show the building is situated on solid ground which gives the building a solid foundation, and its structure is fundamentally sound.”

The new earthquake legislation affects all commercial building owners in the city, especially those identified in priority routes under the legislation, who have until December 31 2019 to undertake seismic assessments.

Seismic assessments are being carried out on other council buildings and it is expected these will be completed within this timeframe.

Long-term options for the library building include strengthening, partial demolition, demolition and rebuild, or rebuilding on another site.

These options will be considered as part of the council’s civic and cultural masterplanning process currently underway.