Christchurch earthquakes cause New Zealand firm to take a good look at its environmental credentials.

FRAMECAD™ CEO, Mark Taylor, pointed to FRAMECAD’s investigation into new environmental considerations via its joint venture in Christchurch with NZ Transportable Units.

Mr Taylor said: “The Christchurch earthquake and aftershocks has been a brutal reminder of the powerful impact our environment can have on our existence. It’s been a sobering lesson and a bit of wake-up call as we work in its wake.

“Christchurch has helped us reframe and refocus FRAMECAD’s response to the environment. That’s a healthy step. The environment is changing and so should we.

“Prior to our involvement in Christchurch, FRAMECAD’s view on the environment was, like most I suspect, framed largely by concerns for atmospheric carbon created by humans: landfills, transport emissions, etc.

“While clearly it’s important for us all to address carbon emissions, the tight focus on atmospheric carbon over the past decade has, in my view, eclipsed the full breadth of other key environment concerns and issues which we should be more aware of and responding to.”

The Big Picture: Building for Safety in more adverse environments

Mr Taylor said: “The challenge is to think more broadly than just emissions: to take a big picture view of how you or your business interacts with the environment at every level.

“With this in mind, we’ve taken a fresh look at steel frames as an environmentally preferable and, importantly, safer building choice compared to alternatives.

“Our big picture includes building for safety.

“We want to ensure housing can stand up to adverse environments including floods, bushfires and (of course) earthquakes. All of which have, unfortunately, affected nearly every continent too often in recent years. On top of this, we know that increasing extremes in weather are predicted in most climate-change scenarios.

“So how does steel stack up in this environment?”

Steel: Framing a environmentally preferable choice

Steel is strong, flexible and responsive to the environment.

The benefits of steel frames are especially significant for reconstruction during disaster relief, such as the aftermath of cyclones, floods or earthquakes, where relief centres and hospitals can quickly be erected.

Light steel frames are easy to transport and work with. The pre-punched steel enables houses to be completed more simply and quickly than conventional masonry homes.

The intelligence and integration of modelling and fabrication of FRAMECAD steel frames eliminate the need for highly skilled labour for assembly, also resulting in faster and more efficient construction.

Steel framed structures can be dismantled and re-erected elsewhere, making them effective temporary solutions for rebuilding. The FRAMECAD Mobile Factory is also compact enough to be airlifted into remote locations for immediate production of steel frame structures.

The environmentally friendly site practice of FRAMECAD and the production of steel frames with consistent accuracy enable fast and effective rebuilding of housing in earthquake zones.

FRAMECAD provide a proven training system, consultants and access to technical expertise at all times, giving the cold-formed steel manufacturing operations the confidence to advance anywhere around the globe.

Tags : Christchurch, earthquake, New Zealand