Earthquake Safety Articles
Practical guidance on seismic gas safety, system specification, and building compliance — for building owners, engineers, and facilities managers.
Earthquake Gas Safety for Council Buildings and Civil Defence Facilities
What NZ councils need to know about earthquake gas safety for libraries, pools, depots, and civil defence facilities — and where automatic isolation fits.
Read more →New Zealand Seismic Standards — A Plain-English Overview
New Zealand seismic standards explained — NZS 4219, %NBS, seismic zones, and AS 1170.4 for Australian sites — and where automatic gas isolation fits.
Read more →Backup Power for Seismic Gas Isolation — Keeping the MK6 Live Through an Outage
Backup power for seismic safety keeps gas isolation live when mains fails in an earthquake. How the MK6's DC variant stays operational through an outage.
Read more →Seismic Risk Assessment in New Zealand — What It Involves and What Comes Next
A seismic risk assessment in NZ estimates what an earthquake could cost you in damage, downtime, and safety. What it involves, and where gas isolation fits.
Read more →NZS 4219 Explained — Seismic Restraint of Building Services in NZ
NZS 4219 sets the seismic restraint requirements for gas pipework and other building services in New Zealand. Here's what it covers and what it doesn't.
Read more →Post-Earthquake Business Continuity — The Role of Automatic Gas Isolation
Automatic gas isolation protects post-earthquake business continuity — preventing fire damage, speeding re-entry, and reducing downtime after a seismic event.
Read more →Earthquake Gas Safety for Aged Care Facilities — What Operators Need to Know
Aged care facilities in NZ fall under Risk Group SI — residents can't self-evacuate. How seismic gas isolation fits your compliance and safety obligations.
Read more →Seismic Gas Safety for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens
Earthquake gas safety in commercial kitchens is a distinct risk — open burners, high gas loads, and continuous ignition sources. What operators need to know.
Read more →P-Wave Detection — How Earthquake Early Warning Systems Buy You Time
P-wave detection is the key to fast earthquake response. How electronic seismic systems use P-wave sensing to trigger gas isolation before destructive shaking.
Read more →Earthquake Gas Safety and Building Insurance — What NZ Insurers Typically Require
NZ commercial property insurers now expect seismic gas isolation. What they look for, the policy language to check, and how to verify your building is covered.
Read more →My Insurer Said I Need a Seismic Shutoff — Is a Mechanical Valve Enough?
Insurers often specify a seismic gas shutoff — but mechanical valves and electronic triggers aren't the same. What to ask before you assume you're covered.
Read more →Seismic Risk Zones in New Zealand — What They Mean for Your Building
New Zealand's seismic hazard varies by location, but every region carries risk. What seismic risk zones mean for building owners and gas isolation requirements.
Read more →After an Earthquake: Gas Safety Checklist for Building Managers
Don't restore gas after an earthquake until you've worked through this checklist — a step-by-step guide for building managers on what to do, and what not to do.
Read more →Earthquake Safety for Hospitals, Schools, and Critical Infrastructure
Hospitals, schools, and essential services can't afford post-earthquake gas fires. Why automatic seismic gas isolation is a front-line safety measure in NZ.
Read more →Specifying a Seismic Shutoff System — A Guide for Engineers and Architects
Specifying a seismic shutoff system for a NZ building project? The standards to reference, what the MK6 provides, and what to include in your specification.
Read more →How to Test Your Earthquake Trigger System
Testing is the only way to confirm your earthquake trigger will fire when it matters. Here's the correct procedure for the MK6, and what to check each time.
Read more →Earthquake Gas Shutoff in Australia — What You Need to Know
Earthquake gas shutoff for Australian buildings: what AS 1170.4:2024 restraint requires — and why automatic gas isolation covers the gap it leaves.
Read more →How Does an Earthquake Trigger System Work?
Earthquake trigger systems detect seismic acceleration and shut off gas or stop machinery before destructive shaking arrives. Here's how they work.
Read more →Earthquake Gas Fire Risk — What Building Managers Need to Know
Post-earthquake gas fires are a documented risk in NZ buildings. What building managers must know about the hazard, response window, and automatic isolation.
Read more →Do I Need an Earthquake Gas Shutoff?
If your building uses gas and is in a seismic zone, the answer is probably yes. Here’s how to think through the risk, the obligations, and what’s involved.
Read more →Seismic Gas Safety for Apartments & Multi-Unit Buildings
Body corporates and apartment owners carry real liability for gas safety in earthquakes. What the risk looks like, and what automatic isolation does about it.
Read more →NZ Earthquake Safety Requirements for Commercial Buildings
New Zealand's earthquake-prone building system sets legal obligations for commercial building owners — what the rules require and where gas safety fits in.
Read more →Electronic vs Mechanical Seismic Shutoff — What's the Difference?
Mechanical seismic valves and electronic earthquake triggers both close a valve — but they work differently, with implications for reliability and compliance.
Read more →What Happens to Gas Systems in an Earthquake?
Earthquakes stress gas pipework at joints, entry points, and long internal runs. What can go wrong — and how automatic isolation prevents the worst outcomes.
Read more →