One of the South Island’s largest high schools will close an administration block tomorrow after engineers found it could be at risk in an earthquake.
The board of Burnside High School in Christchurch made the decision after receiving a draft seismic assessment showing the block was rated at 15% of the new build standard (NBS), below the minimum requirement.
Board presiding member Chris Dann said “while they appreciated that this was very short notice, the board’s priority was the safety of students and staff.
“This closure will not impact student timetables or classrooms. Thursday is a designated staff-only day and this gives us the opportunity to commence the move out of the administration block and into other spaces,” he said in a media release.
“Given the administration block was 15% NBS, below the minimum level of earthquake rating, the board made the decision to close it. The library will remain open as it has a rating of 50% NBS, which is above the minimum level of earthquake rating required.”
School principal Scott Haines said engineers were evaluating what work was needed to bring the building up to at least 34% NBS.
“We are hopeful that interim strengthening work will take place over the Christmas holidays.”