Southern Cross Healthcare – Endoscopy Unit, Lower Hutt

The Southern Cross Endoscopy Unit is a new, purpose-built healthcare centre in Lower Hutt.

Naylor Love was contracted to construct the fitout including extensive building services, and they engaged Miyamoto to design the seismic restraints to ceilings, partitions and all building services.

The restraint of building services is essential to avoid failure of wet services after a seismic event. These failures can lead to evacuation and lengthy delays in reoccupying a building post-earthquake, that was otherwise cleared to re-occupy i.e. the building structure has not suffered any significant damage. Restraint of services is considered as an integral part of the design, with territorial authorities (TAs) insisting that design documentation for restraints be submitted before completion certification is issued.

Building services are delivered in a variety of ways, with the specialist sub-contractors, suppliers and installers providing different levels of design and sign off.

At the Southern Cross Endoscopy Unit, Miyamoto’s scope was to either design and sign off (PS1) the seismic restraints or to review and sign off (PS2) restraints designed by others. Our scope included general advice, coordination between the different installers to identify any clashes as well as where efficiencies could be made. We monitored the installation of the services and prepared PS4s on completion of each trade. All services were restrained in accordance with NZS4219 and other relevant Standards.

The design of seismic restraints is becoming an increasingly important part of the building design process. Our proficiency in this speciality field can assist clients in achieving code compliance, building completion certification and, most importantly, in minimising down-time and damage after a moderate earthquake.

Miyamoto is proud to have been part of the delivery of this significant addition to the provision of healthcare services in greater Wellington.