Protect your current or future investment with building strengthening to bring it up to current code requirements. Rest assured, knowing your earthquake strengthening is applied by a specialist team.
Using proven seismic strengthening procedures and creative methodologies, we’ll find a workable solution to meet your specifications.
Typical industrial projects involve supporting existing precast panels & bracing the roof
Whether you just need weak areas addressed with local straps and brackets or your property requires diagonal braces & steel frames to come up to code, we work tactfully around your tenants.
Apartment seismic strengthening work usually needs to be done while the occupants are there, or out at work. From frames, to braced walls, all work needs to be scheduled sensitively. Good communication with tenants and body corporates is paramount.
Our earthquake strengthening supports masonry, parapets and brick facades, taking into consideration the important features of the architecture. Projects typically involve lateral bracing and timber floor bracing.
Invite Chris, Brett or Gary from Quoin for a walk through of your building. They will prepare a quote to do a detailed seismic assessment. They usually pull Council files to see if any assessments have been done, and need to view the original structural drawings/subsequent alterations (typically takes 2-4 weeks to get the files from Council. There may be a small Council charge for supplying)
The seismic engineer (Quoin) will do a Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) to determine what % of code your building is currently.
The seismic engineer will produce a concept plan to strengthen your building, and will indicate if a consent is required. If the concept plan is accepted, they will produce a detailed plan for your contractor to quote on.
Division Engineering – your main steel subcontractor – will prepare a quote based on Quoin’s plan, to carry out the building strengthening.
Division Group will implement the seismic strengthening plan and provide producer statement/site reports/signoff in conjunction with Quoin.
Commercial – The Imperial
79 Lichfield St
This 4-storey untenanted earthquake-prone building couldn’t be occupied or insured. We installed steel-braced frames through multiple floors to bring the retail and office space from 40% to 100% of code. The original construction provided 40% of strength, so we worked to support the existing structure, rather than creating a new skeleton. The strengthening work took 2-3 months and fit out was another 2-3 months (5 months in total).
This strengthening project brought the office building up to 100% of code, and took 8 mths for a total strip out, strengthening and fit out. There was no disruption to tenants; the owners sourced all new tenants.
“Everyone spoke very highly about the can-do nature of Division Engineering in coming up with pragmatic solutions to manoeuvre structural members into place. Hard working and solution oriented firm that will get the job done, and offer advice rather than just raise problems.”
Simon Winfield, Cequent
Industrial Warehouse
76 Hammersmith Drive
This old building had a steel portal frame with tilt slab. To strengthen, we used steel walers to support the precast, braced the roof and added brackets. We did one part while it was still tenanted. Brought it up to 85% of code over 5 months.
“Division repaired all five of my warehouses. They worked around all the problems that the tenants thought might cause disruption, by moving certain difficult parts to after hours. I was thrilled at the final result. Communication was good. Anthony, Helen & Leigh are very straight up and honest and it was easy to get through to them – I never had to wait too long for an answer. Their work input was exceptional, the resulting repairs faultless, and the work admired by all who passed through the warehouse & office. You can count on them to do a first class job with minimal disruption.”
Warehouse owner
Hammersmith Drive
Real Estate Agents
We help owners prepare info packs, and prospective buyers with assessments and due diligence.
Insurers & Loss adjusters
We work with Quoin to assess existing insured buildings after an incident such as earthquake, fire or accidental damage, quoting on repairs & building strengthening.
Building owners
You may have received a letter from Council advising that your building is earthquake prone, or be curious to find out if your building has weak points, needs work done, and any cost to remedy. This gives information to support decisions about whether to hold, repair or sell.
Developers & Builders
We help with due diligence prior to purchase & implementation of building strengthening if required, or a review of someone else’s assessment. We also quote to builders for installing load bearing beams.
Why is seismic strengthening important?
1. You may be legally required to if it your building is earthquake prone
2. After an earthquake, prior strengthening work usually means you can get in sooner, reducing your downtime and period without rental income.
3. Strengthening reduces the risk of harm to the occupants.
4. If you’re looking at selling, certain tenants will only occupy the building if it is 67% or 100% of code. A competent prospective purchaser is also going to want to know. The cost of strengthening may be used as a negotiation point.
Is the Wellington code about to change?
The last change in code was a 33-40% increase in Canterbury. We keep up to date, but at the time of writing (Oct 2020), there is not an update planned to our knowledge in Wellington.
Where is the best place to find seismic engineers?
If your property is in Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka or anywhere in the South Island, we recommend Chris, Brett or Gary at Quoin Structural Consultants Ph 968 4925.
We work in tandem with them and have completed dozens of projects together.
Chris may be easier to get hold of 021 369 607.
My building was strengthened once before. Do I need to do it again?
Codes have changed. If it was strengthened prior to the 80’s, it may not have been done to code (often it was only done to 33%), and the new criteria are more stringent. Speak to a Quoin engineer for further advice specific to the location, age and construction of your building.
Get your
The Division Engineering team thrive on the impossible. With a proactive engineering project management team and experienced structural engineers, we get the job done. No matter the scope or complexity, your project will be delivered with creativity, care, and precision.
Discover customised steel solutions built for both beauty and purpose, designed and built in our Kaiapoi workshop (North side of Christchurch) for local and selected architectural projects nationwide.
Specialists in stairs & balustrades – structural steel – seismic strengthening
Mon-Fri: 7:30-17:00
Sat & Sun: closed
