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Elma Turner Library Temporarily Closed Due to Earthquake Concerns

Elma Turner Library Temporarily Closed Due to Earthquake Concerns

 


Thursday, June 9, 2022, 11:30 a.m. Press Release: Nelson City Council

The Nelson City Council has decided to temporarily close the Elma Turner Library effective today (Thursday 9th June) after a roof tile inspection conducted last week found that some tiles were much heavier than expected, weighing between 8kg and 11kg.

Roof tiles weighing more than 7.5 kg are considered “heavy tiles” and are considered earthquake hazard if not properly restrained. The examination also found that the roof slabs are in a two-way grid, fixed at its perimeter with partitions and walls, but without visible diagonal bracing.

This latest check was based on the council’s knowledge about ceiling tiles and the more we know, the more our response changes. The board had already identified a hazard in the roof tiles and allocated $200,000 in funding this fiscal year (2021/22) for repair work. This work has not yet been completed due to staff shortages, and the problem identified with tiles used for heating purposes, but will now be done urgently.

The next step is for engineers to prepare a report detailing the expected relative risks of roofing tiles and NBS (New Building Standards) ratings for roofs, including whether the roof is considered a significant life safety hazard.

The council will also prioritize investigating whether temporary areas can be secured to address the risk. This work has already been done on parts of the Civic House, attaching galvanized aluminum ducts to backing the tiles, but it is unclear at this point whether this would be suitable for Elma Turner’s library.

CEO Pat Dougherty says that while legislative commitments do not require shutdowns, the new information about the weight of the tiles has been very concerning, particularly when combined with the vulnerability of library users — such as the elderly and children — and a lack of furniture that could provide protection in the event of an earthquake. big

“Closing a much-loved community facility, even temporarily, is not an easy decision, but based on what we know so far, we are not prepared to accept the level of risk that the Elma Turner Library ceiling tiles present to our community. Unfortunately, the library must be closed as a precaution as we learn more about the risks. And what we can do to mitigate it.”

With regard to library services, council staff are looking into options that could include expanding online library services and increasing opening hours at other branches (Stoke and Nightingale libraries) as well as looking into the possibility of opening a pop-up library downtown.

Library manager Sarina Baron says that in addition to being difficult for customers, the closure will also be difficult for staff.

“Library staff thrives through their interaction with the public, but at least the COVID-19 closures have provided us with some valuable experience in how to work differently and deliver many of our services remotely. We ask that our community bear with us as we once again change the way we work.”

Tim Skinner, chair of the Society and Entertainment Committee, says he understands the inconvenience caused by the public, but the decision to close the Elma Turner Library was the right call in terms of safety.

“We cannot in good conscience allow this building to continue to be occupied knowing what we know about the weight of the tiles. We hope the community will understand why we need to close as a precaution and hopefully we can get the library back and running soon.”

How long will the Elma Turner library remain closed?

We don’t know at this point but we estimate between two to three months. The length of the shutdown will depend on whether temporary risk reduction work can be carried out.

Why have the Elma Turner Library ceiling tiles checked now?

After an Earthquake Prone Building (EPB) notice was applied to the Civic House due to the building’s roof tiles, a decision was made to inspect other council-owned buildings.

What is the current %NBS for the Elma Turner Library?

The Elma Turner Library is structurally sound with an NBS rating of 42%, meaning that it is not currently considered an earthquake-prone building. This evaluation was made in 2013 and did not take into account ceiling tiles.

Why close the Elma Turner Library when you don’t yet know if the roof tiles will mean the building will be considered earthquake prone?

We are closing the library on an initial screening basis as a precaution while we learn more about the nature of the risks and whether steps can be taken to mitigate them. This cautious approach is due to the fact that this is a community facility that serves everyone in our community, including the most vulnerable, and we have not been prepared to accept this level of risk as we work through this process as it may take a few weeks.

What are some of the challenges of completing temporary work to secure ceiling tiles at Elmer Turner Library?

The size of the building (2403 m2) means that there are challenges with the extension of the roofs. Ceilings are also used for heating purposes which means that some solutions may not be suitable.

Is it safe to walk the footpath outside the Elma Turner Library or use the adjacent pop-up park?

yes. The problem identified is related to the ceiling tiles located inside the library. The building itself is considered structurally sound.

For more information about library services, please visit: nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz

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