The Urgent Need for Seismic Compliance in Canberra
Seismic engineering has historically been focused on the building structure itself since the main aim is to prevent a building from falling down during an earthquake. However, up to 70% of the capital value of a building can be in its non-structural elements and some of these are our concern.
At Nashco, we realise that, although earthquake activity may not be too frequent in Australia, the consequences of such an event can be extremely serious. Our aim, therefore, is to ensure that all the wall framing and suspended ceiling systems in Sydney that we supply will not be damaged by even severe seismic activity, will not cause harm to people in a property and will still be fully functional after the event.
Ensuring Safety and Resilience with Earthquake Engineering in Sydney
Although the need to protect a building’s structure has long been recognised, it’s only since 2010 that most have had to comply with Australian Standard AS1170.4 in respect of restraining building services. The requirement was only confirmed by the Australian Building Control Board and other authorities as recently as 2019 but here at Nashco, as seismic engineers in Sydney, we’ve been working to ensure our systems are suitably restrained and durable long before that.
As one of the leading seismic engineering companies in Sydney, we design and manufacture our lightweight steel wall framing and suspended ceiling systems so they’re properly restrained and able to withstand the stresses and strains imposed by seismic activity. But we do it in such a way that we achieve maximum resilience while imposing little or no extra cost or work on building constructors and contractors. We know you have enough challenges already without adding to them.
Non-structural elements are the main contributors to injuries, property loss and business disruption as a result of earthquakes. Consequently, we believe it’s important that we play our part by ensuring the elements we supply don’t contribute to those outcomes.
The best way to achieve this is by ensuring proper seismic restraints are incorporated as an integral part of our products rather than being added at the construction stage, as has historically often been the case. We do this, not necessarily by making everything bigger and stronger, but by smarter design and construction that ensures our components can withstand severe shaking without breaking or becoming detached.
Seismic Engineering in Sydney - Insuring Against Property Damage
Resilience against seismic activity is increased by a combination of:
- effective risk assessment
- excellent design that takes account of and mitigates against risk factors
- good quality manufacturing using the best and most appropriate materials
- thorough quality assurance
- correct installation to sturdy elements.
Using our suspended ceiling systems and lightweight steel wall framing, you can be sure that they’ll comply with all regulations and will be resistant to extreme seismic activity. Earthquakes may not occur very often but, if they do, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that our products will endure. And you’ll be able to achieve that with little or no extra cost or work so the job will remain within budget and on schedule.
