Firth’s RibRaft ® TC3 foundation system gives hope to home-owners

By Firth

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Products used: RibRaft TC3®

Summary:

The RibRaft ® TC3 technology allows for construction to sit ON the ground not IN it. CERA identified 28,000 properties as TC3 land in Canterbury with approximately 12,500 damaged during the earthquakes. Since then many houses have been repaired whilst others have been removed with the creation of Red Zones around the most damaged land in the city.

For the balance of the properties there are a number of repair and replacement options available to home-owners and insurers. Firth’s extremely successful RibRaft®TC3 foundation has been used for over 550 rebuilds with many more underway. The popularity of the system is not only due to its seismic performance but its economy, versatility and consistency of cost.

Without Firth – I wouldn’t have my home!

Most New Zealander’s will never forget the scenes of devastation and destruction inflicted by the Christchurch earthquakes. With so many buildings and homes damaged the impact was huge for a large portion of the population - no more so than Gavin Lowe, a then 77 year old widower living 10 minutes south of the city. With his seven-year old home damaged beyond repair in a matter of moments, Gavin thought a replacement home would surely not be a problem until the instability of his land was diagnosed. After three visits by the insurance company nobody was willing to help him design a replacement home and he was starting to lose hope - until he saw a brochure on Firth’s RibRaft® TC3 foundation slab system.

“If I hadn’t started making enquiries myself I probably would still be living in my damaged home as I didn't want to leave the area,” explains Gavin. “No one wanted to touch this land as they had drilled down 19m before they struck solid ground. After I saw Firth’s RibRaft® TC3 foundation slab system I rang Shaun from Firth and he came to inspect the site. Firth was the only company to come up with a system that would work. It was approved by the insurers and I was able to start rebuilding my home.”

Gavin project managed the build with long time friend and builder Philip Davidson and, after three years and at the age of 80, he moved into his rebuilt home. “If I hadn’t taken the initiative I might have died before I had my home rebuilt,” says Gavin. “Firth were really great from start to finish. Their contractors and people were very helpful and considerate to my neighbours. I have been really impressed. I would use them again - but let’s hope I don’t need to! I am very grateful because, without Firth, I wouldn’t have my home.”

What exactly is TC3?

Technical Categories (TC1, 2 and 3) are a classification developed by the Department of Building & Housing (DBH) to describe how the land is expected to perform in future earthquakes. They are part of the guidance provided by DBH regarding engineering options for new or repaired residential foundations in Canterbury.

Firth’s RibRaft ® TC3 foundation system gives hope to home-owners
Firth’s RibRaft ® TC3 foundation system gives hope to home-owners

Professionals used in
Firth’s RibRaft ® TC3 foundation system gives hope to home-owners

About the
Professional

Firth is one of New Zealand's best known and most trusted trade names in concrete. They have been developing, manufacturing and delivering concrete and concrete products to New Zealanders for almost a century. 

90 year proud history

The history of Firth is part of the history of New Zealand. Firth's capability extends through the construction industry, roading & infrastructure, industrial and commercial projects to residential builds.

Industry leading

All of our products are formulated to meet strict NZ standards. Our engineers ensure Firth customers consistently receive delivery of the highest quality product that they can rely on. Our concrete products are tried and trusted so customers can be sure what we make, makes the grade. Always.

Our national, dependable brands include: Firth Certified Concrete®, Firth Masonry, Firth RibRaft® floors, Dricon® bagged concretes, mortars and sands.

Innovation that endures

From day one innovation has been at our core, but not at the expense of long lasting durability. In 1925, the 'original' Firth family with their entrepreneurial spirit created innovative concrete products that made life easier.

Today's wider Firth family still carries that same can-do spirit into today's market challenges. Our designers work alongside our engineers to ensure new designs will stand up to the rigors of time.

Kiwi Made

Like the people who manufacture them, our concrete ranges are all products of New Zealand. We employ 650 people spread across 70 plant sites throughout the country.

Firth's strength lies in its regional relationships delivering a quality service locally to loyal customers, every day.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.