Pre 1992 buildings are not modern - earthquake engineers

Pyne Gould building. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Buildings constructed before 1992 should not be regarded as modern in terms of their earthquake resistance, says the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE).

Christchurch buildings built before 1992, such as the Pyne Gould building and the Canterbury Television building, had been repeatedly referred to as "modern" following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake, NZSEE executive officer Win Clark said.

A major change in building regulations in 1992 meant buildings built before then "should not be regarded as modern", Mr Clark said.

In 1976 major seismic codes were introduced, then in 1992 standards for loadings and use of materials were updated, Mr Clark said.

The Pyne Gould building was designed about 1963 and the CTV building about 1975.

- NZPA