Understanding Civil Defence Rapid Building Assessment Placards in New Zealand

After a major event such as an earthquake, flood, cyclone or landslide, trained Rapid Building Assessors inspect buildings to determine whether they are safe to enter or occupy. These inspections form part of New Zealand’s emergency management framework under the Building Act 2004 and the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

Following inspection, a placard may be attached to the building. These placards communicate the building’s safety status to occupants, neighbours, contractors and the public. The placarding system exists to protect life. It is not an insurance assessment, and it is not a detailed engineering evaluation.

What the Placard Colours Mean

Red Placard – Unsafe, Do Not Enter or Occupy

A red placard means the building is considered unsafe to enter or occupy. This may be due to:

• Structural damage

• Partial collapse

• Risk of further failure

• External hazards such as unstable ground, rockfall or adjacent building collapse

A red placard does not automatically mean the building must be demolished. It means that, at the time of inspection, it was not safe to occupy. Entry is prohibited unless specifically authorised by the territorial authority.

Yellow Placard – Restricted Access

A yellow placard means the building has restricted access. There are generally two categories:

• Y1: Part of the building is unsafe

• Y2: The building can only be entered for short periods or for specific purposes

This often applies where there is moderate structural damage or where hazards exist but total exclusion is not required. Access must comply strictly with the conditions stated on the placard.

White Placard – Can Be Used

A white placard indicates the building can be used. It does not guarantee the building is undamaged or compliant with the Building Code. It simply indicates no immediate life safety risk was identified during the rapid assessment.

Can You Remove a Yellow or Red Sticker Yourself?

No.

Red and yellow placards are legal notices. They cannot be removed, altered or covered by the property owner. Only the territorial authority or authorised officials can change or remove a placard. Removing a placard without authority may be an offence and can carry significant penalties.

What To Do If Your Property Has a Yellow or Red Placard

The rapid building assessment is a high level, time critical inspection focused on immediate life safety. It is not a detailed diagnostic review. Before any placard can be changed or removed, a comprehensive engineering assessment is usually required to clearly define the risks and confirm that they have been adequately addressed.

In our experience assisting property owners through post disaster recovery, the pathway to removing a placard is structured, technical and evidence based. We recommend the following steps:

1. Contact Your Insurer Immediately

Your insurer will generally take the lead in coordinating the technical response to the damage. This often includes appointing structural and geotechnical engineers to carry out detailed assessments, confirming the extent of damage to both the building and the land, and determining what temporary or permanent stabilisation measures are required.

2. Engage Qualified Engineers

Depending on the nature and extent of damage, you often require input from a structural or geotechnical engineer to confirm the building is safe to assess.

A suitably qualified engineer should undertake:

• Foundation and ground assessment

• Detailed structural inspection

• Assessment of lateral stability and settlement

• Identification of temporary works requirements

• Repair or strengthening design

In landslide, liquefaction or flood affected areas, a geotechnical investigation may involve boreholes, cone penetration testing, slope stability modelling, settlement analysis and groundwater assessment. The objective is to determine whether the building can be safely reoccupied, whether temporary stabilisation is adequate, whether permanent repairs or strengthening are required, and whether the underlying land remains capable of reliably supporting the structure.

3. Complete Required Repairs or Stabilisation

Placards are not removed simply because time has passed. Risk must be demonstrably reduced. This may involve:

• Temporary shoring or bracing

• Structural strengthening

• Foundation repairs

• Ground stabilisation works

• Removal of hazardous debris

• Drainage remediation

• Obtaining building consent where required

All work should be properly documented and certified.

4. Request a Formal Reassessment

Once works are completed and supporting documentation is available, you must formally request reassessment from your territorial authority.

You will typically need to provide:

• Engineering reports

• Producer statements

• Photographic evidence

• Consent documentation where applicable

The authority will review the evidence and may inspect the property again.

Possible outcomes include:

• Red changed to yellow

• Yellow changed to white

• Placard removed entirely

The decision is based on current risk, not the previous colour sequence.

What If You Disagree With the Placard?

If you believe the original rapid assessment was incorrect:

• Do not remove the placard.

• Obtain an independent engineering assessment.

• Submit that assessment to the territorial authority.

• Request reassessment formally.

In some cases, a formal determination process under the Building Act may be available if disagreement remains.

Many red and yellow placards are ultimately removed once the risks are properly assessed and addressed. A placard is a temporary safety tool, not a permanent label.

Correct Interpretation of Placards

• A red placard does not automatically mean demolition.

• A yellow placard does not mean the house is safe to live in full time.

• A white placard does not mean the house is undamaged.

• Placards are about immediate life safety, not long-term performance.

Practical Advice for Property Owners

If your home has a red or yellow sticker:

• Do not ignore it.

• Do not remove it.

• Do not rely on visual judgement alone.

• Engage qualified professionals early.

• Work collaboratively with your insurer and council.

The fastest pathway to removing a placard is to address the underlying risk through an appropriate remedial solution supported by clear engineering evidence.

Other Useful Resources

For official guidance and additional information, refer to the following resources:

• What to do during and after an emergency

• Natural Hazard Risk Communication Toolbox

• Rapid building assessment placarding system

• Natural Hazards Portal