{"id":3774,"date":"2025-09-11T12:50:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T00:50:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesignhosting.co.nz\/motovated\/?page_id=3774"},"modified":"2026-07-11T21:49:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T09:49:26","slug":"seismic-restraint-of-non-structural-building-elements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/websitedesignhosting.co.nz\/motovated\/mechanical-engineering-services\/seismic-restraint-of-non-structural-building-elements\/","title":{"rendered":"Seismic Restraint of Non-Structural Building Elements"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Expert Mechanical Engineering Services<\/h2><\/div>
Seismic Restraint for Non-Structural Building Elements<\/div><\/div>
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It doesn\u2019t matter if the building stays up in an earthquake, if a duct falls on your head.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Buildings contain several non-structural elements, including ceilings, partitions,\u00a0<\/span>HVAC, pipework, electrical systems, fire suppression systems and so on. These all\u00a0need to be mounted so that they stay put in an earthquake. Experience in the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes showed that insufficient seismic restraint of <\/span>non-structural elements presented a significant risk to people. This had a major <\/span>effect on how quickly buildings could be reoccupied after an earthquake, and the <\/span>failure of non-structural elements was a significant contributor to the cost of <\/span>earthquakes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The easy way to manage this risk is to have the seismic restraint systems for non-<\/span>structural elements designed by a professional engineer and documented in a PS1<\/span>(Producer Statement) signed by a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng). These <\/span>designs are completed considering the NZ seismic loading code NZS 1170.5, and <\/span>the various standards applicable to specific elements (and including no small amount <\/span>of design from first principles).<\/span><\/p>\n

Seismic design on non-structural elements is a specialised field, with few engineers <\/span>practicing in this area in New Zealand. Motovated Design &amp; Analysis has a team of<\/span>engineers (six of them CPEng-registered), with a combined 30 years\u2019 experience in <\/span>non-structural seismic restraint.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motovated can provide non-structural seismic design for ceilings, HVAC\/mechanical <\/span>services, fire suppression systems, hydraulic pipework, electrical systems, and <\/span>partitions. We can design for either one specific service on your project or carry out <\/span>coordinated bracing design for all the non-structural elements, to achieve a more <\/span>efficient design overall. During installation, we can carry out construction monitoring <\/span>to ensure that the designs are being properly installed, and to resolve issues that <\/span>occur on site.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our CPEng-registered engineers can issue PS1s, PS2s and PS4s as needed for <\/span>your project.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do you need design for the Seismic Restraint of Non-Structural Building Elements?<\/h1><\/div><\/div>
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Are you looking for experts in NZS 1170.5 – Earthquake design?<\/p>\n

Are you looking for a\u00a0CPEng\u00a0to issue producer statements, including PS1s, PS2s and PS4s?<\/p>\n

Are you looking for an engineer to design seismic restraints for ceilings, partitons or other building components?<\/p>\n

Do you need seismic restraint for mechanical systems?<\/p>\n

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Motovated provides seismic restraint design for:<\/h1><\/div><\/div>
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  • Suspended ceilings<\/li>\n
  • HVAC and mechanical services<\/li>\n
  • Fire sprinkler systems<\/li>\n
  • Hydraulic pipework<\/li>\n
  • Electrical systems<\/li>\n
  • Partitions and architectural elements<\/li>\n
  • Our engineers design restraint systems in accordance with NZS 1170.5, NZS 4219, AS\/NZS 2785:2020, and other relevant standards. Where specific standards do not apply, we use engineering first principles to develop practical, compliant solutions.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
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    We also consider:<\/h1><\/div><\/div>
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    • Coordination between services<\/li>\n
    • Installation practicality<\/li>\n
    • ULS, SLS1, and SLS2 performance requirements<\/li>\n
    • With two CPEng engineers and extensive specialist experience in non-structural seismic restraint, Motovated can provide coordinated seismic design across multiple building services, helping reduce clashes, improve constructability, and streamline project delivery.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
    • We can support projects from initial design through to construction monitoring and can issue PS1, PS2, and PS4 documentation as required.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
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      Customer Stories<\/h2><\/div><\/div>