Earthquake areas

• High wind construction requirements
• Construction requirements for earthquake areas
• Acceleration coefficients between 0.12 and 0.15
• Acceleration coefficients greater than 0.15

Acceleration coefficients greater than 0.15

To comply with building regulations, buildings in areas where the acceleration coefficient is greater than 0.15 have the same requirements for footings, framed walls and roof framing as those areas where the acceleration coefficient is between 0.12 and 0.15.

The additional requirements for veneer on frame and metal framing construction are:

• further details on the wall plates (eg transfer lateral loads between frames)
• further details on how the external walls must be fixed to supporting cross walls.

In addition:

• the veneer of external walls must be fixed to the frame with 100 x 100 mm galvanised steel mesh
• masonry veneer must not be placed over openings or in gables.

Refer to the BCA, Section 3.10.2 Earthquake areas for more information.