A structural engineer is calling for a new system for checking earthquake-damaged buildings.
The proposal came at the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission, which on Monday looked into a death when The Press building collapsed in February last year.
Engineer Peter Smith wants to see earthquake-damaged buildings assessed for their strength in future earthquakes instead of being returned to their pre-quake condition.
Mr Smith says engineers should prevent people from reoccupying a building until repairs help it meet a certain percentage of the modern building standard.
He says that lesson is one of the most important to come out of Christchurch's earthquakes.
Mr Smith says engineers also need more information from seismologists about the prospect of future earthquakes.
