Our services include

  • Engineering reviews based on cost-effectiveness and value

  • Expertise across multi-storey engineered timber, concrete and steel structures

  • Damage resistant engineering design

  • Structural reliability and risk analysis

  • Seismic strengthening

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Structural Engineering

What kind of building seismic assessment do I need?

There are effectively three types of building assessment:

  • Initial Evaluation Procedure (IEP)
  • Initial Seismic Assessment (IEA)
  • Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA)
What is an ISA – Initial Seismic Assessment?

An ISA – Initial Seismic Assessment is a broader process that includes the IEP and any other initial checks (e.g. basic structural drawings, photos, or past reports) to assess seismic risk.

When it’s used:

  • As a first formal step under the NZ seismic assessment framework.
  • Often used to decide whether a full DSA is required.

Output:

  • Consolidated summary of known information.
  • Decision point: proceed to DSA or not.

Best for:

  • Building owners wanting to understand regulatory risk or prepare for tenant/insurance queries.
  • Preliminary compliance checks.
Which assessment do I need?

Which One Do You Need?

Your situation Recommended Assessment
You want a quick, low-cost estimate IEP
You’re unsure if a full assessment is needed ISA
You plan to strengthen, sell, or finance DSA
Your building may be earthquake-prone (<34% NBS) DSA (via ISA first)
What is an IEP – Initial Evaluation Procedure?

An IEP – Initial Evaluation Procedure is a preliminary desktop and visual assessment used to estimate a building’s seismic strength as a percentage of the New Building Standard (%NBS).

When it’s used:

  • As a first step to screen older buildings.
  • For quick risk profiling and council records.
  • Often used for portfolio-wide assessments.

Output:

  • %NBS score based on age, structure type, and risk zone.
  • No detailed calculations involved.

Best for:

  • Older commercial buildings with limited records.
  • Clients wanting a fast and low-cost seismic overview.
What is a DSA – Detailed Seismic Assessment?

A DSA – Detailed Seismic Assessment is a comprehensive engineering analysis that models the building’s seismic behaviour in detail using calculations and site-specific data.

When it’s used:

  • If ISA or IEP suggests <67% NBS.
  • For high-importance or high-risk buildings.
  • To support strengthening design or compliance.

Output:

  • Detailed %NBS rating for structural elements.
  • Specific retrofit recommendations (if needed).

Best for:

  • Commercial property transactions.
  • Buildings requiring building consent or compliance upgrade.
  • Insurance or financing purposes.

Our award-winning projects include state-of-the-art structures such as Young Hunter House in Christchurch – the first of its type in New Zealand to feature a post-tensioned timber frame. The building was designed to withstand a one-in-2500-year seismic event with controllable, minimal and repairable damage.

Our Projects

 

Tamahere CC
Tamahere Country Club, Hamilton – Luxury Retirement Development in the Heart of the Waikato
// KR Engineering // Construction Monitoring // Geotechnical Engineering // Structural Engineering
content images 800 by 500
Bader Ventura, Auckland – Award winning Government funded Passive House development – an Australasian first
// KR Engineering // Building Information Modelling // Geotechnical Engineering // Structural Engineering
Synlait 2
Synlait, Canterbury – Agribusiness drystore structure
// KR Engineering // Building Information Modelling // Geotechnical Engineering // Structural Engineering
Kirk Roberts Consulting
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