10 Feb 2012

CTV-type buildings now being checked

1:00 pm on 10 February 2012

More than 350 buildings similar to the collapsed CTV building in Christchurch are being checked by the Department of Building & Housing.

One hundred and fifteen people died when the building came down in the earthquake on 22 February last year.

Neither the main supporting walls nor the columns met building standards.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson told Morning Report that 352 similar buildings built between 1982 - 1995 have been identified in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Given that people will want to know who is to blame for the collapse, he said the report is now in the hands of the police and the Institution of Professional Engineers.

Small number only

A member of the panel who assessed the CTV building collapse believes only a small number of buildings have similar design faults.

While the CTV did not meet standards, structural engineer Nigel Priestley told Morning Report a large number of other buildings constructed around the same time performed very well during the earthquake.

He said a specific design fault is being looked for in similar buildings throughout the country but he does not believe that many will be found to have the problem.