Seismic data sensors are being installed in Wellington buildings as part of efforts to make the New Zealand city more resilient to earthquake risk.

The sensors provide information on how infrastructure stands up to an earthquake, with details then translated into reports on the performance of individual buildings.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce says the Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS), developed by Global Seismic Data, is a welcome addition to the city’s resilience.

“SHMS provides real-time practical information and this will help improve our processes for managing risk, readiness, response and recovery,” Chamber CEO John Milford said.

“While we currently receive information on how strong an earthquake is and where it is, we don’t have fine detail on how ground motion varies building geography nor its effect throughout our cities’ buildings.”

Results from the system are sent immediately to building engineers and are also instantly available for emergency management teams to help them assess where resources should be directed.

“It will be very useful in understanding how earthquakes or degradation over time might affect Wellington’s buildings as a whole and how we can best respond when disaster strikes,” Mr Milford said.

Global Seismic Data global operations and supply chain director Steven McLaughlan said the company was working with building owners and engineering and insurance companies around the world and its system is being installed in 23 countries.