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Insurance companies are set to benefit and be the first to see a seismic monitoring system that is being installed in buildings throughout Wellington City.
Said to be a world-first, the Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS) is designed to save lives and improve resilience during an earthquake. The idea is that it uses a network of seismic data sensors to provide data on how infrastructure stands up to an earthquake. SHMS can then instantly provide earthquake response information in cities for first responders, engineers, building owners, insurers and the public. As well as buildings, the system can also be installed in key infrastructure, priority evacuation and lifeline routes.
Global Seismic Data global operations and supply chain director Steven McLauchlan said they are currently working with insurance companies, building owners and leading engineering firms around the world as the system is being installed across 23 countries.
In New Zealand, The Wellington Company (TWC) is adopting the seismic monitoring system across its portfolio.
“This system provides us with invaluable information about how our building portfolio performs in an earthquake,” TWC director Ian Cassels said. “[It will] enable us to confidently target our seismic upgrade investment to create safer and more resilient buildings for our tenants and the Wellington community.”
Meanwhile, Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Milford welcomed Global Seismic Data’s system as an addition to the city’s resilience.
“It will be very useful in understanding how earthquakes or degradation over time might affect Wellington’s buildings as a whole and how we can best respond when disaster strikes,” Milford added. “Getting businesses back up and running as soon as possible after a big quake is crucial to our economy and people’s livelihoods, and Global Seismic Data’s system will help make that happen.”
