• Taradale Library to undergo earthquake strengthening

Taradale Library to undergo earthquake strengthening

Part of Taradale Library requires earthquake strengthening but Napier City Council says the building can remain open prior to the work being carried out.

The council says a detailed seismic assessment of the library has shown that one wall of the building has been deemed earthquake prone, with a rating of 20% of the New Building Standard.

The 20% rating is due to one structural element of the building, the western reinforced concrete block masonry wall.

Other structural elements of the building are 90% of the New Building Standard, however, the lowest rating of a structural element determines the rating of the whole building.

“It is important to remember that the building is structurally sound in the ordinary course of events.  It is only deemed earthquake prone in a one in 500 year seismic event,” says Napier City Council Director of Community Services, Antoinette Campbell.

“We will commence strengthening design work immediately, and carry out physical strengthening work as soon as possible.”

The library will remain open until the physical strengthening works get underway.

“This pragmatic approach is consistent with action taken for other Napier City Council-owned facilities,” the council says.

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